Title: Fisher's Net Offers Seminarians More Learning Opportunities
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 16, 2002

FISHER'S NET OFFERS SEMINARIANS MORE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
02-163-AW*

     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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