The efforts of the EduTech department (ED) formally began in 2021 with a 13-page White Paper and a budget proposal. But it was God’s timely provision through a devoted and generous couple that allowed the project to take off. At its core, the goal of the ED is to support theological education for the expansion of God’s kingdom. On this basis, we began to recruit a team of instructional designers, whose role is to help teachers craft their courses and modes of delivery to achieve better learning outcomes. One year on, we have grown into a team of five (including four part-timers).
Our initial focus was to establish basic capacity and capability to develop courses, including by writing standardization documents that provide guidance. Currently, we have developed seven online courses and are on track to develop 45 courses by 2026. A landmark was achieved when we released the Student Study Load Report in late 2021, which has significantly helped our faculty to design their courses better.?
By the time the pandemic started, SBC had already been using Google Suite, Zoom, and our Digital Theological Library. Subsequently, we have broadened the set of online platforms to include Panopto, Padlet, Miro, Slido, Mentimeter, Kahoot, MuseScore, and others. Students in the Master of Divinity programme have access to the Logos Bible software package, negotiated and customized for SBC, with the inclusion of many course textbooks.
A key component of the work of ED is training and development. Besides organizing several in-person trainings every semester, we also curate an online depository of resources for teaching and learning. We now manage the Teaching Onboarding Programme (TOP), which is an online course designed for all incoming faculty and adjuncts.
In short, our first year was an exhilarating journey of experimenting and establishing. From July 2022, the ED has been renamed as the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Moving forward, we will continue to develop our Hyflex capability and design a Pedagogical Practice course for the Advanced Studies students.
SBC is renewing itself educationally. We want to teach, learn, and collaborate better anywhere and anytime. The ultimate goal is the glory and expansion of God’s kingdom continues. We thank God for all who have supported us in various ways. Please consider partnering, collaborating, or blessing us in any way as the Lord leads.
