1 Alternative Models for Achieving Educational MissionHudson E. Kibuuka Associate Director of Education General Conference Distance Education, Cohorts, Urban Education, College for Cities, Waldensian Students, Homeschooling, Self-supporting schools etc)
2 Are we relevant? “When I sat down to write The World is Flat: (published in 2005) Facebook didn’t exist, twitter was still a sound, the cloud was still in the sky, 4G was a parking place, LinkedIn was a prison, applications were what you sent to college, and skype was a typo”. Thomas Friedman
3 Reaction to change All these reactions are in the room and we all experience them at one time of another
4 Examples of Alternatives for Achieving MissionDistance Education Online learning MOOCs Cohorts Urban Education College Dormitories for Cities Waldensian Students Homeschooling Self-supporting schools ___
5 “It’s Time” Ellah SimmonsMission to the Cities “It’s Time” Ellah Simmons James and Ellen White saw education as a means to mission, observing that “a well- disciplined and informed mind can best receive and cherish the sublime truths of the Second Advent?” (James White, Questions and Answers, RH, Dec 23, 1862, p. 29 ) {Rural or Urban} God is calling us to move forward now to put Adventist education at the heart of our mission to the big cities. Ellah Simmons says its time…
6 Much more can be done to save and educate the children of those who at present cannot get away from the cities. This is a matter worthy of our best efforts. Church schools are to be established for the children in the cities, and in connection with these schools provision is to be made for the teaching of higher studies, where these are called for Child Guidance, p. 306, 1903 Shall the powers of mind and soul be misapplied? Shall opportunities be lost? Shall a form and routine be gone through day after day, with nothing gained? Oh, awake, awake! teachers and pupils, before it is too late. Awake before you hear the terrible wail: "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” 5T 589
7 Challenges? There are both opportunities and obstacles!1 Corinthians 16:9: A great and effective door has opened; there are many adversaries There are both opportunities and obstacles! Unbelief sees the obstacles, but faith sees the opportunities! Yes there are challenges and obstacles.
8 Dormitories for Cities Mission First in All Activities!NORTHERN ASIA-PACIFIC DIVISION China Japan Mongolia NK Korea Korea With their rallying motto “Mission First” NSD, a territory of 120 billion people, decided to do something different. Japan Hong Kong Taiwan
9 Established a dormitory at the Mongolia Mission OfficeNo space on the sides, in front or behind. But there was plenty of space upward.
10 39 Students 5 Students 2014-2015 Baptism:Dormitory Students in Mongolia No college but only residence
11 Special Bible Study Classes Week of Spiritual Emphasis Sabbath Worship Mongolia Mission Dormitory Activities Daily Worship Service Special Bible Study Classes Week of Spiritual Emphasis Sabbath Worship Music Program Mission Outreach Program Counseling
12 Homeschooling Definition of Homeschooling: to teach (one's children) at home instead of sending them to school.(dictionary.com)
13 In the last 15 years homeschooling has grown worldwide by 68%Why? Technology, the Internet and social media that make resources and support groups accessible; e.g., sdahomeschools.org Loosening of governmental regulations that restrict or prevent homeschooling (mandatory school attendance laws)
14 Growing number of parents who believe that it is primarily their responsibility to care for the education of their children and who share a belief that they can do it as well, if not better than, traditional education. Other reasons Adventist families homeschool: too far from Church school, illness, special needs of child, safety concerns
15 Adventist Learning CommunityWith online learning, internet access, too much information, MOOCs, learning is available everywhere.
16 Too much information – How to look for and use it, This embracesCritical thinking and Ethical thinking.
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19 Happening in all the 175+ countries the church is operating inHappening in all the 175+ countries the church is operating in. so non can say they are exempted.
20 How can we manage with…? Limited personnel Lack of time Constrained budgets
21 The Adventist Learning community is one of the ways to mitigate some of the challenges and have free information which is filtered through the Adventist Philosophy of Education
22 https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/ Anyone can access it. You need to sign in and provide some information about your work. Very useful for teacher certification on your own as well as other resources.
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24 Waldensian Students
25 WS Training program focusses and uses:Cross-cultural teamwork Contextualized mission strategies Language acquisition AMR Academic excellence Personal spirituality Waldensian Students is a creative method used un places where other methods would not only be hard but dangerous and life threatening.
26 Important considerationsWhat will work in your area and level? Which one will uphold the Adventist Philosophy of Education? What are the costs involved and infrastructure resources needed? What are the government regulations regarding such models – including accrediting agencies? How can teachers and other personnel be prepared for such models? What are the indicators of success? __
27 “The shifting terrain of higher education worldwide is challenging quality assurance and accreditation professionals to examine how they can adjust or transform traditional practices and policies while also preserving core academic values. (University World News February 4, 2017, quoted in CHEA online newsletter) Philosophy ↔ Values This was the main theme of the recently concluded CHEA Conference in Washington. I would add that for us it is more than just academic values. I dare say not only university education but all education.