CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A relatively new Internet tool called "The Fisher's Net" is offering seminarians and people interested in studying theology an alternative to sitting in a classroom and listening to a lecture. The Fisher's Net is "an e-learning group that delivers online courses and Web-based resources to theological learners," according its mission statement.
The Fisher's Net -- www.fishersnet.net -- was started in 2000 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seminaries, Augsburg Fortress Publishers and Lutheran Brotherhood (LB). Each of the three organizations committed to giving $150,000 over three years toward start-up costs. As of May 29, The Fisher's Net has provided 114 online courses to 2,373 students from 10 seminaries and 13 lay colleges.
LB merged with the Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) to form Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, is the publishing house of the ELCA.
The Fisher's Net offers resources such as The Bible Tutor, a Web-based program that helps people master basic content of the Bible through independent study and ATLAS, a searchable database of major religion and theology journals. It also gives technical support and training to educational providers. The Rev. Richard J. Bruesehoff, director for leadership support, ELCA Division for Ministry, described The Fisher's Net as a new medium for learning.
"The Fisher's Net is a kind of distance learning," said Bruesehoff. "But the quality of education [from using online classes] is just as high as in the traditional classroom."
'Distance learning' is similar to the process of writing books, Bruesehoff said.
"Writing a book is a form of distance learning. The expert may write the book, but then he or she goes to someone else for the layout and printing," he said.
The same concept is true for online classes created through The Fisher's Net, according to Bruesehoff. Professors from different seminaries provide content for the classes, but The Fisher's Net puts them together and presents them to students at a central location.
Although online registration is available for classes, students do not register with The Fisher's Net. The course registration, fees and credits given are organized by a student's seminary. Some of the new classes offered on The Fisher's Net include "New Testament Greek" and "Rural Youth Ministry."
Bruesehoff said some people fear The Fisher's Net will encourage students to "pretend" to study theology from their computer instead of going to class, interacting with others and getting the full seminary experience. In response, at least one Fisher's Net professor has developed a way to get students more engaged in learning.
"The Fisher's Net gets rid of back rows and corners in classrooms where students retreat to if they are uncomfortable," said Bruesehoff. "This professor found that posing a weekly question to the students and having them respond to each other in small groups, instead of responding only to me, gives everyone a chance to share their ideas."
Students cannot get an entire theological degree using online classes. ATS limits the number of online courses a student can take.
In a Dec. 14 report, The Fisher's Net board of directors expressed a concern for integrating online resources into seminary curriculums.
"Educational institutions have a bias toward building resources in-house in order to more closely manage integrity," the report said. "The difficulty is in rightly sizing the plant and accurately planning sustainability."
The Fisher's Net board of directors is trying to encourage a "lifelong learning system," said Bruesehoff. In a 2002 report prepared by Gloria Doherty, executive director of The Fisher's Net, the group noted advancement in moving towards this goal.
"We have engaged with potential providers and learners in new venues and we have established e-commerce for lifelong learning course and resource fees," the report said. -- -- -- More information about The Fisher's Net can be found at http://www.fishersnet.net on the Web.
*Amy Wineinger is a junior at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa. This
summer she is an intern with ELCA News and Media Production.
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John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
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