Every one of our Distance Learning courses is tailor-made with your student in mind. As we create these courses, each step is planned out, prayed over, and pieced together by a skilled team of people who are committed to the task of providing a quality Christian education to the next generation. Over the next few weeks, we would like to share with you how we develop our Distance Learning courses. We will focus this “virtual tour” on answering three specific questions—who is involved, what roles are assigned, and where does everything come together?
Who is involved?
- Scene Shop Team—develops the sets for the courses and segments
- Writer Associates—write scripts for special segments
- Drama Associates—produce special segments needed to communicate certain concepts
- Teachers—design the daily lessons and present them
- Assistants—create PowerPoint® visuals, procure media, and design handouts
- Make-Up Associates—prepare actors and teachers for filming
- Video Specialists—record and edit segments and lessons
- Quality Control Team—checks each video file for various issues ranging from spelling mistakes to technical errors
- Product Support Team—creates master DVDs and master Hard Drives for distribution
- Support Material Team—compiles Video Lesson Guides and Student Handouts materials
- Online Team—uploads lessons, materials, and instructions to BJU Press Online
What roles are assigned?
To best answer this question, we asked several people to talk about their roles.
Phil—Scene Shop Team Member
How would you describe your role?
My main job is to find or make whatever props are needed for any given lesson. I do primarily 3-D construction of props, so on any given day I might be carving or sculpting something from foam and then painting it. I also help with the design and construction of the teaching/special segment sets.
What do you think is the best part of Distance Learning, and why?
The variety that we are able to offer these students—not just quality, individualized teaching, but the educational and yet entertaining special segments that are produced. That’s something that no classroom teacher and certainly no homeschool parent using just textbooks can offer.
Melissa—Head Drama Associate
How would you describe your role?
I’m responsible for coordinating all the individuals and departments involved in creating the special video clips that go into our lessons—as well as training other drama associates to do the same.
What excites you about including biblical worldview, sound education, and joy of learning into your projects?
What other distance learning product [that has this level of] academic excellence [presented from] a biblical worldview also provides such incredible resources to the student? We bring in guest experts; we dramatize complex concepts to maximize understanding for all types of learners. There are no other teachers that I’m aware of that could possibly put as many hours into teaching one lesson, as many resources into teaching one concept, as our teachers do.
Check back next week and meet a Distance Learning teacher, a video specialist, and a production manager!
This is so interesting!! Mr. Adam looks like his job is fun!