The International Missionary Training Network

Stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourself to the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:58)

We refer all trainers to the two Bulletin articles by Dr Kate Wiseman of All Nations Christian College on delivering missionary training through online learning - Issues 4a and 4b.

If you would like to listen to the recordings of some of the online IMTN conversations about online training, please e-mail Dr Kate Wiseman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Many are using Zoom and other platforms which enable face-to-face discussions with multiple people.

Online IMTN Zoom meetings on training

We recently held two meetings on Zoom about training missionaries online. If you would like to talk to one of us one-to-one about putting your training online please get in touch (see the Contact Us page). Online learning raises theological and philisophical dilemmas as well as practical questions. Others have thought through these things before and are happy to share their thoughts.

Kate Wiseman - who works at All Nations Christian College in the UK. Kate has been involved in missionary training online for more than a decade. Her doctoral study was in online learning.

Mark Hedinger - who leads CultureBound out of Portland, Oregon, USA and in the last two years has successfully shifted their intercultural training online.

Bennie Wolvaardt - Co-founder and CEO of Veritas International, based in Perth, Australia, at the forefront of competency-based theological training and most recently has been shifting their MA programme online, including establishing online libraries. 

Ruth Wall - Long time trainer, residential and online, and currently delivering a four-month online training for a group of leaders across Central Asia using the free g suite classroom.

 

Points shared at the Zoom Webinars

Experience of organizations using online media

All Nations Christian College in the UK began in 2008 with a 4 week Express course and then started the 12 week Explore course which are done in students’ own time. They use a workbook which is filled in and sent to tutors. They then started an online Masters programme. Having started with Moodle, they are now using Zoom to connect in what they believe is a very enriching online programme. Covid 19 has meant that they have live classes in the undergraduate programme as well.

CultureBound is using Zoom calls 5-10 times each week.

Redcliffe College has been offering its Masters programme by distance learning for 8 years. It has now started to use Zoom. 

Belfast Bible College in Northern Ireland is moving rapidly to Microsoft Teams supported by Moodle for both its undergraduate and Masters programmes.

WEC International in Australia are starting to do their own online programme – but are usually plugging people into existing training.

Veritas International – church based training in 40 countries – from introductory to MA level. Competency based training.

Grow 2 Serve in the USA is using blended learning and online training. They serve about 10 organizations – sometimes prefield and sometimes ongoing training. One week to 8 week long online courses, mostly asynchronous. They also provide text support and design of courses. They have been involved in online learning with Moodle since 2006. "In Context, In Community, Convenient".

SEAN International – TEE provider – coordinating with partners across Asia – usually by Skype. Putting materials into a digital format. Trying to put material onto smartphones, not necessarily using the internet – because of security.

Campos Blancos training centre in Argentina has developed an online Masters programme, using adult learning principles and online resources, tailor-made to each learner using competencies.

ProMETA in Costa Rica is running a new online programme aiming to strengthen the Latin American missionary movement. Each faculty member has to be a “Guide on the side” rather than the “Sage on the stage”. It does not impose the training – rather the student decides what is needed. They ask, "What do you need to be in three years’ time – that you cannot do now?" and develop a training plan according to this.  

A mission leader in Asia has been using Google – the G Suite - and finds it very basic but very useful (there are many options besides Zoom - see below). They combine reading and using Google hangouts. They pray together. People are engaging with others and no longer feel isolated. They are putting into practice the topics they are considering. 

General advice on using the internet for training

  • A Ugandan bishop once stated, "Mission must have a human face". The same is true in training. However we use technology, there must be a human face. Take a step to engage. Help people join in and interact with one another – we are real people – not two dimensional. 
  • Zoom and similar systems are part of a "Virtual Learning Environment" (VLE) or "Learning Management System" (LMS). For example, one can ask students to pull up video clips.  Other components of such as system are Moodle which is Open Source and can be introduced without massive expense.
  • Online learning is not just an extension of classroom teaching.
  • Polls, Quizzes, Moodle Forums and the Chat facility greatly aid interaction.
  • Use equipment that requires low maintenance. Missionary trainers cannot usually afford expensive equipment - simple microphones and a relatively simple web camera. Think small scale to begin with. For example, one college had problems with an echo and could have purchased sound-dampening panels, but used old duvets on a curtain rail which functionied just as well. Try not to be too ambitious - and keep it simple. Think creatively how you can good enough. Start small with what you think you can do, and then think of expanding. What can be done on the lowest tech possible? The question of access is very important - can people afford it and have access to suitable equipment?
  • Putting the notes online could save time, but that would not be a good learning experience. If you are too busy, think of people who could help from a voluntary perspective. One college's team is 90% volunteers. Encouragement but a warning that it takes time and is an effort, but results are well-worth it.
  • Harness the wealth of online resources some of which is being given free for a temporary period during this crisis time.
  • Share resources and work together with trainers in other places who have fewer means. 
  • How much screen time in a single day is bearable for students? 7 hours is too much on the screen, but is acceptable in the classroom intensive sessions. Do not try to communicate too much in one session. People need good breaks between sessions. In a virtual environment we cannot walk around or have 2-4 hour blocks, so, to maintain interaction, try to set up recurring meetings – several shorter sessions being better than one long session. Present one “small idea” online, then come back for interaction and application. "Less is more". 
  • The issue is how to be creative - not just a talking head. Use animations, screen sharing, use of software and apps. 
  • Think medium to long term as well as next week. 
  • Many classroom activities are not the best way to learn anyway. Remember the best practices for helping adult independent learners. Go forward in small stages and make sure that people have grasped things. Use competency-based outcomes.
  • Go back to core principles - that missionary training is an equipping, discipling process - a Kingdom work. There is usually a large drop-out rate in online learning - but what keeps people going are relationships. People need to feel part of the group - that the trainer is praying for them. The relationship is more important than ever.
  • Relationships are important. What appear like "small things" are vital: such as asking how their family is doing, or what is going on in their neighbourhood, sharing prayer requests, praying with our students, asking them to pray for one another. All these reinforce personal connections. Learning is no just cognitive, but spiritual, emotional too. How can we position ourselves as guides, coaches, reference librarians, and cheerleaders? 
  • Person-to-person contact very important. If this is not possible, add a person who can interact with trainees locally.
  • Use both synchronous (e.g. streamed) and asynchronous (e.g. e-mail) means of communication.
  • Reading material and writing essays and articles.
  • Use breakout groups - have as many levels of participation as possible.
  • However, remember that some cultures are not comfortable being in a small group or being "picked on" to contribute. Say, "Is there anyone else from another culture who would like to share what would happen in their particular context?"
  • A comfortable virtual space helps put people at ease and this aids learning. It is worth exploring different possibilities in creating a comfortable physical and virtual space.
  • Vary what is being shown on the screen - sometimes showing all participants at the same time. It helps students to see others engaging, and the facilitator can see if someone appears confused. It also helps trainees feel involved.
  • Use the green "Share screen" button. There are various options - and also a small button saying "Share computer sound" - it is very important to click this. One can also click on "Optimise screen sharing for video" - but this is not always necessary.
  • It is good to have an administrator as well as a teacher in the meeting - though this adds to the cost - but students in lower cost economic areas can be paid to do this, or a volunteer can help. 

Using Power Point and other slides

  • Use large fonts - because some people will be using mobile 'phones etc., but keep text to a minimum
  • Overcommunicate in some areas - as it is less easy to back up in an online setting
    • Put contact information for that group of people - continually repeat it, so that people can contact one
    • Remind people where we are in the flow of the teaching - as each slide can appear a new world
  • If using slides, set up the deck of slides ahead of time and put the deck on Desktop so everything is ready. If you need to make changes, use Chat to communicate those, rather than trying to change the slides in the middle of a meeting.
  • It is useful to have dual monitors so one can have Power Point on one monitor and the class on the other. This makes for a much smoother experience as we can monitor both sides at the same time. Alternatively, you can connect twice - once as facilitator and another time as a student, so you can see what the students are seeing - for example what one looks like on the student's screen - whether one is too high or too low.
  • Reduce image resolution for slides - so that they load more quickly, and do not use animations which might cause buffering.
  • Some students like to receive the PPT themselves
  • When buying a laptop or other computer, make sure you have a lot of memory to handle the data transfer
  • It is not easy to have the slides on the screen as well as the speaker, but this would be the ideal. Splitting the window is not as easy on Mac as a PC.

Security

  • Security is an issue for many missionary trainers.
  • It is said that Zoom has servers in at least one repressive country. Text can be encrypted end-to-end, but Zoom offices have access to the video content, so is not secure. See https://theintercept.com/2020/03/31/zoom-meeting-encryption/?utm_source=roundup and also https://www.nytimes.com/article/zoom-privacy-lessons.html?utm_source=roundup.
  • If communicating with people who are in sensitive situations, set protocols on not naming locations or people, unless this is agreed. If we are intentional about putting the security in place within that platform, then we are prepared.
  • Use passwords for meetings - they are now the default in Zoom - but do not share them publicly.
  • Accept only authenticated users - who have Zoom account
  • Mute participants on entry - so that they cannot interrupt, and can be cut out if necessary.
  • Turn off Chat.
  • Play a sound when participants join or leave - to see if they should be there.
  • Participant video is off by default.
  • Turn off file transfer - because there is no anti-virus in Zoom.
  • Disable screen sharing for users - so only hosts can share.
  • Have a waiting room for participants before the meeting.
  • All this is to ensure that only ourselves are in the conversations.
  • BUT - there is a dilemma - we want interaction - so it is good to use Chat as that enriches prayer and interaction. One institution switches off the chat for 1st and 2nd years of students, but opens itfor final year and graduates. Banter was extremely distracting if students are just talking about something trivial. The same is true about screen sharing. Balance security with engagement. If Chat is turned off, there is always the possiblilty that trainees would just switch to WhatsApp to share comments.
  • Link to an Evangelical Alliance article about security

Alternatives to Zoom

 

Other resources for online teaching

Pdf-XChange Viewer for Windows

  • PDF-XChange Viewer is a free PDF viewer for Windows that allows you to anotate PDF files - putting text on the screen and then marking it. This helps to avoid the "talking head" and encourages sharing and interaction among students - for example marking the structure, meaning indicators and adding notes. Click to open the PDF-XChange Viewer download page.
  • An instrutional video: how to use PDF-XChange Viewer for Exegesis
  • Download and import the following settings file into PDF-XChange Viewer to get preset colours etc:  defaultPDF XChange Viewer Settings for Veritas (12 KB)
  • Apple Mac users can use the Preview program that comes pre-installed on a Mac. This link provides support from Apple on how to use Preview to edit PDF files.
  • Free NT software and app: ScriptureDirect.com - new Interlinear Greek-English NT translation with the Louw/Nida lexicon integrated ScriptureDirect is available free on PC, Mac, smart phones and tables (Apple iOS and Android). Links to the different app stores and downloads for PC and Mac are provided on the ScriptureDirect website
  • A biblical exegetical curriculum using this is available to buy from Veritas International (www.veritascollege.org).

Other Resources on the Use of Zoom in General

A written quick start guide: https://itld.psu.edu/training/participating-zoom-meeting-quick-start-guide

Helpful video on how to set up a Zoom meeting: Click here    

4 minute video for getting the best out of video church meetings https://vimeo.com/401232380?ref=fb-share&1 

Official Zoom Getting Started Page

 

Zoom Video Communications Training 

Kindly provided by the media team of Crossway Baptist Church in Australia - www.crossway.org.au

Part 1: https://youtu.be/arLqpiD41Kc

Jump to the timestamp below for the following topics... 

00:07 What is Zoom? 

01:00 Installing Zoom 

03:00 Scheduling a Zoom meeting in Microsoft Outlook 

03:40 Generate or join a Zoom meeting from a Zoom account 

04:20 Setting up a Zoom account screen overview 

10:00 Zoom Interface Basic Overview 

12:10 Screen sharing in Zoom 

15:00 Recording Zoom meeting 

15:30 Zoom Chat Feature 

17:15 Helpful Tips & FAQ 

 

A step by step walkthrough of Zoom

Zoom Video Communications Training Part 2 - Basics 1 Walkthrough

https://youtu.be/AaqZte5kbYI

Walkthrough Zoom Basics Part1

00:20 Setting up a free Zoom account 

01:50 Run a test meeting 

02:00 Testing your audio and microphone 

03:05 Testing your camera 

03:35 Basic video and audio settings/preferences 

04:46 Muting your microphone 

06:25 Share screen basic preferences 

06:45 Virtual Background quick look

 

Zoom Video Communications Training Pt 3 - Basics 2 Walkthrough

https://youtu.be/qXyN5sSgP58

00:08 Zoom Account Basics 

02:26 Add Microsoft Outlook Calendar Zoom Plugin

02:50 Schedule a Zoom Meeting in Microsoft Outlook Calendar

05:49 Preparing for a Zoom Meeting

07:42 Accessing the scheduled meeting from Microsoft Outlook

 

Zoom Video Communications Training Part 4 - Basics 3 Walkthrough

https://youtu.be/GBRrITw8Jxc

00:07 Using the Zoom Client Desktop Application

00:12 Downloading the Zoom Client Desktop Application

00:25 Zoom Client Application Interface Basics 

01:32 Zoom Client Chat 02:48 Zoom Meetings

03:05 Start, join or schedule a Zoom meeting using the Zoom Client Desktop Application

 

Walkthrough training video Part 5 for Zoom featuring the ‘Waiting Room' feature

https://youtu.be/GzzC08lMVG4

 

00:12 Set up & host a meeting with the ‘Waiting Room’ feature 

01:30 Schedule the meeting through MS Outlook 

02:48 Participant’s view of Waiting Room 

03:57 Join a meeting through MS Outlook 

05:45 Manage Waiting Room Guests 

06:40 Speaker and Gallery View Options with meeting examples 

08:24 Virtual Backgrounds

Zoom Video Communications Training Pt 6 (Breakout Room Feature)

https://youtu.be/k0ADkkZVV3s

Breakout rooms are a great way of creating a smaller meeting space separate to the main Zoom meeting for your participants to facilitate small group discussion or training. 

00:13 How to use the 'Breakout Room' Feature 

00:18 Assigning people to a breakout room 

01:26 Adding breakout rooms 

02:04 Opening breakout rooms 

03:18 Asking meeting host for help in a breakout room 

04:20 Send a message to breakout rooms 

04:52 Closing breakout rooms

Zoom Video Communications Training Part 7 (Recording Feature)

https://youtu.be/M6AU3O65Rlg

00:07 How to use the 'Record' feature in Zoom meetings 

00:24 Set up and prepare to record a Zoom meeting

01:55 How to check your PC or Mac has enough storage for a recording

02:52 Zoom Application recording preference settings

06:00 Zoom website recording preference settings

06:20 Cloud recordings06:53 Local recordings

08:58 Recording in a meeting (pausing and stopping recording)

11:11 Recording formats and sharing with your audience 

For quick access to all future training videos, we are adding them to an unlisted 'Team Crossway' playlist here

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbtY0Stjy0qMMnKadzeYqvp4gC1sZCa3m

Theological Education in General

ICETE (International Council for Evangelical Theological Education with forums to contribute stories, prayer, and resources and information about the ICETE Academy. 

https://icete.info/

ICETE (International Council for Evangelical Theological Education Facebook page with interviews with Theological Education.

https://www.facebook.com/ICETE.edu/videos/3006281539625028/

 

Live Streaming Events

Live Streaming Guide: https://indigitous.org/live-streaming-guide/

 

General Covid19 Resources

https://covid.churcheshandbook.co.uk/

https://indigitous.org/ministry-from-a-distance-resources/

library of COVID-19 resources

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o1m59poaspuz86o/AAADZkb9HsGqH8gj0iTa0ILUa?dl=0

Resources from Christian Resources Exhibition UK

 

Building Community Online

Presented by Ruth Wall, Mark Hedinger and Kate Wiseman (IMTN Conversation 19th May 2020)

For a recording of this IMTN conversation, please e-mail Dr Kate Wiseman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Introduction and Ethos of IMTN Conversations - Ruth Wall

Our aim – to provide a platform for conversation between trainers as we all respond to the need to adopt new ways of delivering training in a unique season.

Our Ethos:

 Onlineethos

  1. Global perspectives.  We seek to learn together and from one another what effective online learning looks like

       There will be space to participate

  1. Creative mindsetsWe come to our conversations expecting to discover new ways to design and deliver online learning

       Examples of creating online teaching and learning will be shared

  1. 3. Small steps.  We commit to take intentional steps towards developing excellent online learning experiences for our students

       There will be concrete suggestions provided

Christ-centred approach to learning – Ruth Wall

  • Conversations are built around three areas- Community, Curriculum and Capacity

CommunityCurriculumCapacity

  • Ruth’s doctoral research provides the model we are using to structure our conversations
  • Circle represents the learning context – all learning must engage with and emerge from the context of learners
  • Effective learning may be fostered as three aspects in the triangle are intentionally held together in the design and delivery:
  1. Often start with bottom left - curriculum especially content. This is important.
  2. Learning must emphasise the importance of community. In the past, this presented a challenge for online learning – but advances in technologies such as Zoom make this easier
  3. Capacity - having trainers who are equipped to facilitate online learning and also preparing students who can participate and persevere onlin

Purpose of this conversation: Mark Hedinger

  • Building and growing - we need to work on this in small steps
  • Learning - part of who we are as IMTN
  • Community - not difficult imagine community in classroom - but what does it look like online?
  • Community grows from God’s very nature in eternity

 Biblical Foundation

 

Building community online  – Breakout group discussion – Kate Wiseman

  • What does this God-shaped and Christ-centred community look like in an online context?
  • How do we respond to Bill Taylor’s questions: "We share the deep commitment that the best equipping for ministry is done in community and this has radical implications. What do we do with the rightful place of the exploding educational options through the internet? Can they be combined with working teams in the same geography?” (Taylor, W. D. 2006. Forward. In: Brynjolfson, R. and Lewis, J., eds. Integral ministry training design and evaluation. Pasadena: William Carey Library, pp. vii-xiv.)
  • We do it by intentionally building community within the online environment.
  • By intentionally creating learning opportunities that engage the student (and the trainer!) despite the technical distractions going on around us.
  • It takes time to develop this.
  • Doctoral research into developing a framework for the effective delivery of mission training through e-learning (Wiseman 2015) showed that Community was one of 6 essential elements. Building a strong learner-centred community upon core Christian values was critical. Technology was secondary – it is an instrument for facilitating that community.

 What are the key elements of that community?

•     What makes an effective Christ-centred learning community?

•     How can those elements be applied online?

Group Feedback (This has been collated into themes rather than being presented in the order that it was given)

Elements of Christ-centred community and ways of applying them online

Authenticity

  • Struggle and bonding through tough times - so be open.
  • Healthy conflict
  • Real authentic community
  • Expectations and accountability
  • Sharing whole of life authentically (including spiritual, emotional)
  • Accountability - what are the expectations - how show respect and negotiate. So that when one crosses those lines, there is some result
  • Openness vulnerability to build trust - and desire to grow
  • Free to say what really think
  • Wrestling

Constructive

  • Instrumental learning – how you interact with the world
  • Solve real problems together

Christ-centred

  • Jesus has to be integral to the common cause - Christ is in there and
  • Prayer to be guided by the Lord
  • Holy Spirit can be speaking through everyone

Communication

  • Communication with each other to have good community
  • Volume of interaction and communication

Difference (to Face to Face)

  • I think it is good to recognise that there are elements of 'living together in community' that cannot be replicated online. Eating, physical activities and living alongside each other are not the same online. So, while we seek to replicate things that build community, we must still recognise that, with all its benefits, the virtual world is not an ideal world.
  • I was part of a webinar on online learning hosted by ATA (Asian Theology Association …) they emphasised that online is not a lesser learning, but definitely a different learning.

Discipleship

  • Discipleship - whole life - not just members of churches or missions - but disciples.
  • Discipleship - need connection with real life - churches.
  • Following Jesus.

Engagement

  • teacher presence and engagement on an individual and group level
  • Inviting others to contribute, not just offloading information - to help everyone engage
  • Instrumental learning – how you interact with the world

Facilitated

  • Someone to facilitate to keep focus, draw out

Fellowship

  • Fellowship of believers
  • Prayer, devotions – especially in struggle
  • fellowship – especially around the table praying together laughing together accepting each-other
  • hospitality in the classroom….

Flat (non hierarchical)

  • Everyone has the opportunity to add value to the community

Flexibility (Structured/Unstructured)

  • Planned spontaneity– breakout, social time
  • Unstructured as well as structured time
  • Unstructured time to just share about life
  • Some synchronous activities are important
  • [but] everyone can be heard with asynchronous
  • Small group, private chat beyond formal sessions
  • Some trainings are once off. Others are long term - a fortnight

Focus

  • Shared vision - destination, experiences
  • Intentional
  • Facilitation – keep the focus

Formative (Personal and Spiritual)

  • Openness to growth and change
  • Character formation
  • Character formation, creating safe and trusting environments. volume of interaction and communication and spiritual engagement activities
  • Reflective – character and spiritual formation
  • Commitment to one another's growth - so can handle conflict
  • We have a commitment to Jesus - a lot of shared background. How can we see people grow into the calling God has for them, because they come from different commitments?
  • If skills-based then online is OK. But if it is integrity and formation of the soul... Need to see the purpose.
  • Spiritual engagement activities
  • Being relational and growing ourselves personally is helpful to have input in

Holistic

  • Head, hearts and hands
  • Emotional, Cognitive, Social
  • Cognitive, social, spiritual
  • Environments where we can go beyond the ideas and see whole life kind of way
  • Engage the whole of life , not just the cognitive, but spiritual and emotional

Innovation

  • Innovation on different subjects - brings people to think - Community changes - so not just give the same content

Intentional

  • Being intentional, deliberate

Relational/ Building Relationship

  • Relationships – depth – volume of communication
  • Breakout times, opportunity to get to know staff
  • Inclusion – everyone in the group is heard, managed dynamic
  • Caters for the different cultural perspectives related to relationships.
  • Intentionality to be relational.

Relational/Building Relationship Cont.

  • We need time together to make a relationship. Group size has to be small enough to get to know personally, for interaction. Need explained ground rules to begin with so that people can be vulnerable. Five people in a group is a good number - more than that it takes longer.
  • It takes a real effort to relate in another way. Coffee together online. This gives a different relationship. You can ask them different questions - with family, wife and kids.
  • In real life one can choose who one speaks with
  • To get to depth - think of the volume of communication and the nature - intentionality.

Safety

  • Safe
  • Vulnerable, safe space
  • Safe space
  • Safety and respect – inclusion
  • Safety – relates to trust
  • Respect – for each other
  • Trust
  • Creating safe and trusting environments

Shared

  • Points of sharedness
  • Common purpose, shared organisation, life experience
  • learning together and valuing each other's contribution
  • Need common cause or goal - at least in general terms - become missionaries - need agreement
  • Connected with the common cause - commitment to do something differently
  • Bring those connections into online discussions. People DO open themselves online. But there are caveats - Younger generations are shaped by online communities.
  • Shared struggle about 5 years plus point - someone further on in the journey
  • Shared struggles - Often developed around struggle - helps people to go deeper when they can share that

Support/Mentoring

  • Spiritual and emotional
  • Mentoring each other in the community
  • Modelling to students

 

Summary of Key Elements of Community (Kate Wiseman)

KeyElementsOfCommunity

 

Care

  • Be intentional about pastoral care
  • Build or maintain a caring relationship with one another
    • Check up on students especially if they are absent – physically or emotionally
    • Hold regular tutorials
    • Pray for your students and email them to tell them you are doing it.
    • Encourage all students to have a mentor or trusted friend that they can discuss their studies with (in their location)
    • Encourage students to care for one another

Collaboration

  • Actively encourage collaborative learning
    • shared projects, presentations
    • Group discussions – forums, breakout rooms
    • Peer assessment
  • Be a “guide on the side” not a “sage on the stage”
  • Draw on the students’ experience and knowledge
  • Facilitate discussion rather than lecture

Communication

Regular communication reduces a sense of distance

Distance learners feel silence more acutely than those face-to-face.

  • Communicate the little things e.g. delays in a class starting, when resources have been uploaded etc.
  • Share good news as well as problems!
  • Provide clear instructions and guidance
  • Communicate in ‘bite size chunks’ – when teaching and in written materials
  • Fill in gaps verbally in an absence of visual cues – “is everyone happy? Give me a wave if you can hear me……”
  • Be aware of cross-cultural communication differences

Communion

Building up a sense of unity within the body of Christ (Acts 2:42-7)

  • Provide regular opportunities to have fellowship together
  • Worship together – hold simple services – recorded or live; share links to worship videos;
  • Encourage prayer for one another – e.g. prayer forums or meetings e.g. using Zoom (or equivalent) breakout rooms.
  • If using videoconferencing share a simple meal together, or if possible, Holy Communion.

Confidence

  • Provide an environment where students feel that they can be themselves and socially present
    • Is it secure and safe to use?
    • Is privacy respected – e.g. not allowing screenshots of participants, use of aliases (if necessary)
    • Are recordings in a safe location accessible only to course participants? Audio vs. video?
    • Is it welcoming?
    • Is there an atmosphere of openness and trust?
    • If I was a student would I feel comfortable in this session?
  • Intentionally build confidence in the students
    • Encourage the less confident student
    • Online forums are helpful for reflectors and less confident speakers of other languages

Connection

  • Technology – which technologies can be accessed by your team and students?
    • Are they simple to implement and operate?
    • Can users connect on mobile devices?
  • Make sure that everyone knows how to use them!
  • Build around the lowest common denominator – i.e. the student who has the slowest internet connection
  • Common ground – build in opportunities to create and explore shared experiences
    • Introductions through forums, live conversations, Face to Face
    • Recreation, relaxation e.g. virtual cafés
    • Informal chat before and after class vs. waiting rooms
    • Make it fun! - Zoom coffee parties, social events, games within the whole community

Construction

  • Build your community step by step
    • Start with activities/icebreakers that work Face to Face and adapt them to the online environment
    • You can become more adventurous later!
  • Allow for constructive learning
    • Provide plenty of time for discussion and questions
    • Encourage reflection
    • Be real – let the learning happen as it goes along – let the learner be part of the process

Contribution

  • Encourage everyone to participate BUT
    • Be aware of cultural ‘netiquette’
  • Look out for those in the background
    • Use breakout groups to draw out the quieter student e.g. ask them to feedback response
  • Allow time for reflection before asking for a response
  • Ask the more active participants to take a back seat to allow other to share their thoughts
  • Follow up non-engagement
    • Don’t assume that silence = a lack of interest – is there a connection problem? Is the student struggling to understand?
    • Be aware of “Zoom fatigue” – allow for breaks from the screen

By intentionally including these elements we will see learners make a contribution to the wider mission and ministry in which we serve. Building the community is the most important aspect – the technology should enhance not detract from it.

Does online learning have any place in missionary training? It could possibly be used for imparting information. One body aiming to help training institutes in this area is WETIA. Please let us know what we can add in this section.