Denver Seminary

ENGAGE 7 EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ONLINE Ervin Liang, a current student, says the robust, nuanced approach Denver Seminary has for its online programs was the primary decision maker for him as he considered various theological schools. "If you do the work to get to know your classmates and professors through Zoom or email, you just don't feel like you miss out on much [compared to the on-campus student]," Liang said. "I've made friends through the online program. We talk online and on the phone; we do homework together." Ervin firmly believes that more people who are yet to attend seminary should take the plunge and enroll in the online program. "The advantages are huge," said Ervin. "You can work in your local area where you've built connections in your church and have people champion you through seminary as you're learning on the go. There are many benefits to online learning as long as you're willing to put in the work." Some of Ervin's favorite components of the online program have been the Zoom sessions he's participated in for his Greek and Hebrew language courses. "I really got to know both professors [Dr. Hélène Dallaire and Elodie Emig]. They're people I email every now and then just to catch up." Ervin has also enjoyed his Denver Live class, in which he joins an in-person class via Zoom. "That's been an amazing experience," Liang said. "There are great cameras that switch back and forth between the whole class and the professor standing up front. I can participate in the lecture and don't feel like I've missed out." Ervin can't say enough about the ways the professors have shown true attention and dedication to him as an online student. They work with him when his student ministry requirements pile up, and they are responsive to emails. "They will make time for you," Ervin said. There have, of course, been glitches along the way. Ervin said it took him some time to understand the online library system, and a camera malfunction once meant he gave a presentation to a dark screen. "But that's so minor," Ervin said, when compared to the joy of experiencing theological education that embeds itself so deeply into his life. "We've had to have a willingness to fail and learn along the way," Dr. MacFarland said. When you think about it, this fits perfectly with the Denver Seminary approach to online education—that it must manifest in keeping with the Denver Seminary DNA, which holds humility and intentionality in high regard. Aaron Johnson adds to this, "We want to prioritize humanity over technology, because experiencing one another is how learning takes its shape." LeoPatrizi/iStock

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