University of Dayton offers faith formation on the Web

National Catholic Reporter, Sept 28, 2001 by Rich Heffern

"These courses are not designed to be just correspondence courses," Zukowski said, "where students interact only with the instructor. Our goal is to engage a community of learners being in touch with one another in a dynamic way on many levels."

Classes that fill up the fastest are church history and scripture. Future classes proposed are a 2part ecclesiology class, one on spirituality and film and one on Mariology.

Experts on the University of Dayton faculty or within dioceses help design courses. "There is a lot of collaboration," Zukowski said.

"Dioceses, when they sign up with us, first take a look at what they need. We respond to those needs by offering courses. Partners all meet once a year for evaluation."

When people get their certificates, Zukowski signs off with the partnering diocese.

"The courses involve a lot of work," she said. "There's a lot of reading. Students report on their reading by e-mail to the instructor. There is a message board for discussion among instructors and students in the class."

"People share deeply," said Zukowski. "One student sent an e-mail to the others in the class apologizing that he couldn't finish his class because his wife was fighting cancer. The whole class responded supportively, and the student sent an e-mail back saying, `I need you all and I need to finish this class.' Eventually when students get more sophisticated with the technology, we will offer chat rooms where students can discuss issues in real time."

Students are evaluated by means of a pre-test before they start class to assess their level of knowledge on the subject. They are then graded on their message board answers to reflection questions on readings.

Dioceses market the courses in different ways, using diocesan newspapers, religious education or adult faith bulletins, talks to catechists and catechumenate facilitators.

"We work closely with diocesan staff. It's a real partnership," Zukowski said.

Zukowski added that a new initiative for this program has just begun, a partnership with Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand, and with the bishops of the Philippines. The goal is to develop classes for Catholics in Asian countries. Classes are projected to begin there in 2003. "We will pilot this project initially," said Zukowski, "and then dioceses in various Asian countries will continue it. After these programs are developed, then we will use them in the U.S., with Asians here." Future expansion into the Caribbean is also part of this expansion, said Zukowski.

"We have to learn how to share resources in the church," she said, "to get on the bandwagon together. Dioceses could easily hire corporations and consultants, but better to proceed in this collaborative way. We are trying to bring the best of the church's teachings to Catholics everywhere."

The Web site for Virtual Learning Community for Faith Education is www.udayton.edu/-vlc.> Rich Heffern is NCR opinion editor and the editor of this special section. His e-mail address is rheffern@natcath.org