Remote Guidelines

Our semester is beginning remotely. Until our course meets on campus, here's my guidance for cultivating an effective learning environment while we meet remotely.

1. Stay focused on 'the good stuff.' I know this semester isn't the college experience you signed up for, nor is it the educational format you paid for. Nevertheless, there is still staggering value here. Readings and lectures are showing you truly life-changing, awe-inspiring implications of the good news. Practice being thankful for the encounter, even if it is happening through graded, for-credit 'remote learning.' Some people risk their very lives to attend a theological college or even just hear the gospel. I know a few personally. They see the value and they sacrifice cheerfully for it. Hey, the whole Bible is remote learning! And God uses it to reach us with the Word of God and the life it offers.
2. Learn on your own. Read, reflect, write, and pray, using the space you have where you are to transform your thinking and imagination. That space is likely easier to find off-campus than on, so take advantage of its availability while you have it. I've had a refreshing and even transformative summer with space to read books, study up on issues pertinent to this calling and to current events, and reflect by myself.
3. Bring your neighbors in to your learning. You may not have typical Westmont community right now, but you probably do have a community of some kind. If you're with family, talk with them about the course material. Invite a family member, church contact, or friend to watch or read along. Just as I don't mind people visiting in-class, I welcome others sitting in on Zoom meetings next to you, especially if they enrich your education.
4. Attend our live class sessions during scheduled class time over Zoom. Class times are dedicated to active learning, application of the material, Q&A, and the like. Much of this will be happening in your groups, sometimes with Discord rather than Zoom breakout rooms.
5. While meeting over Zoom, you must activate your video so we can see one another's faces. Since it's so tempting to 'check out', and since checking out is infectious, only with prior approval will I allow your video to be off for more than a few seconds at a time.
6. Your discussion groups will be 'book pods': small groups of classmates who have chosen the same book from the list of options. Meet regularly, not only to discuss the book but also to watch lecture material together. You can do this with Discord, producing more of a shared experience and allowing conversation.
7. Talk to me about what's working and what isn't. Results will be different for different people. What works for one student may not work for another.
8. The key concept in all of these rules is activity. Passivity makes for limited learning, low enthusiasm, and missed assignments as well as low grades. Come to class with questions for your fellow students and me. Set up an office hour appointment to discuss the course.