Distance Education Roundtable
Theme: Assessment & Student Learning
February 7-9, 2009
Sheraton Hotel: Dallas, Texas

We are excited to announce the program and schedule for the 2009 Distance Education Roundtable. Rather than “just another conference” the goal of the Roundtable is to gather key evangelical distance education leaders for fellowship, professional development and personal enrichment. The program emphasizes discussion, interaction, and encouragement.

The focus of the meeting this year will be Assessment & Student Learning. This topic generated significant discussion and interest at the 2008 Roundtable and is a focus for many theological schools across North America. We hope to provide a forum where attendees will generate ideas, offer encouragement, and gain inspiration.

Here you will find all the details for this year’s Roundtable:

If you have questions, please send them to darrell@itscourses.org.

Program Information (top) – Click here for a detailed agenda (subject to change)

Main Sessions:

Dr. Tisa Lewis is a Director of Accreditation and Institutional Evaluation for the Association of Theological Schools (bio). Dr. Lewis will provide this year’s update from ATS regarding accreditation. In these two sessions overlapping with the Evangelical Seminary Deans’ Council, Dr. Lewis will present information critical for schools to consider, lead discussion, and field questions from the group. All of Saturday morning will be dedicated to this discussion.

Q/A with Dr. Lewis: Dr. Lewis has also made herself available for a 30-minute Q/A session with Roundtable members before she departs. Make sure to stick around before lunch for this more intimate discussion after the Deans’ Council dismisses.

Four topical discussion sessions: Under the broad theme Assessment & Student Learning, these discussion sessions will dig into specific areas pertinent to distance theological education. They will be lead by attendees of the Roundtable who have agreed to provide some information or background to the topic and facilitate discussion.

1. Assessing Student Learning in a Course: How do you ensure students actually learn and grow from their experiences in your course? Proper assessment that focuses on student learning begins with the basic design of a course. In this session, Meri MacLeod will lead a discussion of how on the course level to ensure our students are learning. Facilitator: Dr. Meri MacLeod (Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI)
   
   
2. Assessing Student Learning in a Program: How do you ensure students are getting the preparation and formation that your program promises? Assessment of student learning is critical not only on the course level but across an entire program. In this session, Robert Freeman will lead a discussion of what program-level assessment looks like and the rubrics he uses. Facilitator: Dr. Robert E. Freeman (Fuller Theological Seminary)
   
   
3. Student Learning & Cross-Cultural Issues: How do you anticipate and deal with the numerous issues that arise when education is done cross-culturally? Many times cross-cultural and contextualization issues prevent student learning, and online education presents unique challenges and opportunities as students around the world gather in online classrooms. In this session Emanuel Neydenov will lead a discussion on what online educators should be aware of and prepared for as they engage students globally. Facilitator: Mr. Emanuel D. Neydenov (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)
   
   
4. Student Learning & Technology: Does technology really have an impact on student learning? If so, what technologies are most conducive to student learning? How should we use (or not use) technology to facilitate student learning in theological education? Is there an ethical dimension we should consider? New technologies are emerging so rapidly that it is easy to embrace them uncritically. It's a bit like asking a fish to examine its watery context, but these are some of the questions we must learn to ask if we seek excellence in theological education. In this session, Jason Miller will lead a discussion on this constantly changing area. Facilitator: Mr. Jason M. Miller (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)

Additional Sessions:

• School Updates: Challenges & Needs: Attendees will have opportunity to contribute to the discussion and provide updates of what is happening at their campuses. This provides a forum for identifying common topics of interest for the open forum sessions and also for helping those with similar concerns connect outside the meeting. We will ask each attendee to describe one persistent challenge they face and one specific need or question they would like answered throughout the weekend.
  
  
• ITS Update & Forecast: For two years we have had several conversations about the status and direction of the Institute of Theological Studies, and we thank everyone for their valuable input both in meetings and one-on-one. This year we will provide an update on several exciting changes that have occurred in the last year and preview what we anticipate for 2009 and how we hope to be a benefit to your institution and to theological education in general.
  
  
• Open Forum Sessions: Have specific questions you want to discuss that are not addressed in the program? This is your opportunity. James Stewart (Western Seminary, Portland) and Jason Miller (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) will each moderate open forum sessions to foster this discussion and encouragement.
  
  
• Corporate Worship & Prayer: Since the Roundtable is in session through Sunday, we have carved out time for corporate worship and prayer as well as time for reflection and discussion. Our prayer is that it will be a time of listening for God’s voice, reflection and inspiration as we seek to align our purposes and thoughts with God’s ways. The Roundtable is a working meeting and should be productive, but we hope it will also be an opportunity for refreshment.
  
  
• Overlap with the Evangelical Seminary Deans’ Council: As noted above, the Roundtable will overlap with the Evangelical Seminary Deans’ Council on Saturday morning. This provides a unique opportunity for distance education leaders and their deans to interact outside the usual campus.
  
  
• ITS Sponsored Dinner: ITS will host an informal dinner for the group, which will be a wonderful time for spouses to join the group for fellowship. Location TBD.

**Schedule subject to change

Hotel Information (top)

The Roundtable will be held at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel (formerly Adam’s Mark) at 400 North Olive St., Dallas, TX, 75201, about a mile from the Dallas Theological Seminary campus.

Reservations: You must make your room reservations directly with the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. Call 888-627-8191, and ask for the Institute of Theological Studies room rate (all executive suites): $159 (single), $169 (double). The deadline to make your reservations is January 6, 2009.

Hotel amenities include:

• Elegant executive suites with parlor, enlarged work desk and separate guest room
• Complimentary High-Speed Internet access (in guest rooms and public areas)
• Complimentary Breakfast (vouchers will be given at check-in)
• Beautiful and elaborate furnishings throughout the hotel
• Located in the heart of the Dallas Arts and Financial district, on the DART Light Rail and near every area attraction; within walking distance of the Dallas Museum of Art and the Meyerson Symphony Center.

Transportation to/from airports: The Sheraton Dallas is located approximately 15 minutes from the Love Field Airport and about 25 minutes from the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. We will not be covering the shuttle fees to and from the hotel. This will allow you the freedom to find the transportation service that best suits your schedule. Please check with the Sheraton Hotel staff for the best transportation options. Call the hotel at (214) 922-8000.

Registration Details (top)

Please download the Registration Form below. You can enter your information online and print, or print the form and fill it out by hand. Fax the completed information to the ITS office at 616-363-7880 (Attention: Roundtable) by December 15, 2008.

• Registration Fee: $350 USD per attendee
  
  
• Registration Form: Click here to download the Registration Form.
  
  
• Registration deadline: December 15, 2008