Multi-campus Secondary School for Metro Areas Case Study Presented in Webinar
by Adventist Today News Team
Atlanta Adventist Academy has successfully made a transition from the conventional model of a school supported by a number of local churches in a metropolitan area to a hybrid on-line learning environment delivering instruction simultaneously on eight campuses. This multi-campus model using new technology provides an excellent solution for a number of other metropolitan areas where Adventist schools are struggling to survive.
This case study will be presented on a Webinar tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, April 24 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time, 4:30 p.m. Eastern time) by Cynthia Gettys from Southern Adventist University and Matt Jones, the current principal of Atlanta Adventist Academy. Dr. Gettys is director of the Center for Teacher Excellence and Integrated Faith and Learning at SAU.
The Webinar will describe the steps taken by a transition team made up of academy administrators and conference officers to close a school, sell the property and reopen an academy in rented facilities within a period of six months. Current enrollment, after the change, is averaging 150 students.
This is another in a series of Webinars on Adventist education provided by the Center for Research on Adventist Education (CRAE) at La Sierra University. To participate, go to the following web link and click “Register.” Enter your information on the registration form and click “Submit.” You will receive a confirmation Email from CRAE at messenger@webex.com. If you need assistance, contact CRAE by Email at crae@lasierra.edu.
Link: https://crae.webex.com/crae/onstage/g.php?=a&d=665447343
24 April 2013 @ 3:17 pm
As a fan of online learning, schools have been very slow to use the internet. I completed an M.A. in a fully accredited college largely through online classes. They were even more challenging than the several I took at California State University.
What a waste of money to build and maintain buildings when there are many, for various reasons who cannot attend a brick and mortar school. This is certainly the wave of the future but educators have been much slower than business to take advantage of what it offers.
27 April 2013 @ 11:10 pm
I too am a fan of online learning. Twelve years ago I took a Masters program from MIT it was delivered primarily by video confrencing. It was substantially more challenging than the Masters in Computer Science I took from UCLA. I am currently taking an online course out of Duke University. You don't have to compromise quality by going online. If properly handled it can lower cost and simultaniously bring together the best possible faculty.
This might be the mechanism that can make Adventist education available to any Adventist family who wants it. Another plus is that it gives the parent grater control over the culture in which the student will spend a significant part of thier day.
24 April 2013 @ 3:40 pm
Yes, free worldwide option for all comers. Not to be controlled by the govt. Cost to be borne by large private philanthropies, ala Carnegie, Gates, Buffet, ect.
27 April 2013 @ 12:25 am
The myth persists that students sitting in a classroom at the feet of a lecturer is the best way to deliver content. Online classes are excellent for some disciplines but not all. Classes that are hands on require the classroom setting. A similar endeavor was attempted by Florida conference several years ago. The content was delivered across the nation. Some thought should be given to the lessons learned from that experience. LaSierra University has developed a series of chemistry labs that students can do at home with common materials. There are other examples. The point is the idea of delivering content a distance is not a new one and can be done well. I would caution against open courses for everyone if the goal remains to know students and foster their growth in Jesus Christ as they pursue academic interests.