A thing learned... a joy, a sorrow

Time moves on- a restless, ever moving, ever changing, never changing entity, one we cannot ignore or hide from.

"From that one experience, a finger touching a flame, a person learns countless things."
~ A New Culture of Learning

It has been a joy to share my blog in a new way.  I did not start this blog for a large following.  It was a way to share my stories with my friends- not the world or even my classmates.  It continued as a way for my family and curious minds to see what happens in my life as a seminarian, mom, Army wife and plain old nomad.  Now, I share it with my classmates for my Ed II class that is about media in the parish.

One would think that closing each class is a joy... and it is to a degree.  But it also brings to an end a special relationship built, sometimes with one or two, more often, with 5 or 10 others who get to know each other in a whole new way.  I am grateful for our social media, for our internet and the blessing of online learning.  I am honored to read my classmates blogs and long after this class is done, I will be keeping them on my rss, wondering how they are and in an instant I will know.

Who would have thought how amazing the internet could be at helping us build relationships with someone we never met and may never share a cup of coffee with?  Not me, but boy oh boy, am I glad.

Ps.. here is a link to an old blog post about ends and goodbyes: should old acquaintance be forgot

Quote from A New Culture of Learning, SeelyBrown & Thomas, 2011.

Collective Learning and Cohorts- A new way to Mastering Divinity

"As the name implies, it is a collection of people, skills, and talent that produces a result greater than the sum of its parts."  In their book,  A New Culture of Learning, Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown take on the idea of learning in a 'world of constant change'.

When I read this book, I often thought of the way the cohorts of Luther Seminary work together toward their Masters of Divinity.  We are spread out around the world, only coming together online in class or facebook or in person during our January and June intensives.  Although we each have cohorts, we are also one.  We belong to learn together, to pray together and to create community together.

It is amazing to read the description of the authors; they explain collective as having more of an ebb and flow, and in and out as needed.  The cohorts are the same in many ways.  We expand and retract based on who is there, who needs what and ability to provide.  It is quite fascinating.  Although any are missed when not in attendance, there is not a focus on who is not there, rather, it is a completeness with who is, regardless of cohort.  It is also interesting to watch the cohorts 'take over' a classroom- being an overwhelming majority of the class at one time.  They do not exclude the residential's, rather, they are pulled into the group as one of us.

When it comes to learning, this creates a fluid dynamic that is stunning to observe.  The experiences are so varied, the ages, gender, lifestyle, and style of learning cover a broad spectrum and it seems we never know what will come of it. The dynamic even flows over into the online courses, creating living, breathing, exciting small groups and friendships that flow over from classes every semester.

Some might argue that this style of learning is too inconsistent, to impartial and too distanced to really work and form a future pastor fully.  I would have to say, having lived it for over 2 years now, that could not be further from the truth.  I have learned far more in a passionate and relational way than in any other courses, degree programs, or campus I have ever attended.  This is most definitely one valid way into the future for those seeking a Master of Divinity, and now, we have a ranking as one of 13 top seminaries changing the world to prove it!