Announcing Logos Mobile Education

Good stuff Dale,  I like what I am hearing. If you have not done so, I may have missed it, partner with schools, to offer accredited courses. Say six hours towards a MA in Theology, or OT, etc..

The next step is to work with publishers so that if a text is required reading or a must when researching a topic (think ICC) the user can rent it for X time. That way everyone will have access to a professional library. After X time, the resource automatically locks in their library, unless they take it out again, up to Y times.

I agree on the part about accredited courses. Being able to complete some of my seminary training through Logos would be excellent. Logos itself doesn't need to be the "online institute", but if it can partner with a wide range of its institutes to allow some of the courses to go toward college credit, that'd be great.

I like the idea about "rentable" textbooks as well. Have them available for rent during the course, then have them disappear from the library when the course is complete. Then if we want permanent access to the book later on, purchase it.

Ah, gee ! The courses I teach are quiet for the summer, I saw this potentially meaty learning opportunity pushed on the Logos software home page, and I got excited about some deeper learning now that the summer is relatively free. Then, what ....? I have the same questions as Erwin Stull plus is there a timeline when this becomes available ?

Bob Kostrubanic

Erwin, Thanks for your questions. I will give you some answers. 

1. Logos Mobile Ed is not an online course but rather a downloadable "curriculum resource," like a book. The difference is that this particular kind of "book" has the ability to initiate a video stream and also features on screen testing that accepts reader input. This new type of curriculum resource has attached, a Faithlife community note shared with everybody else who acquires the resource. The course becomes a permanent addition to your library. There is no need to ever forget this course content. It never goes away. It is searchable and links to the rest of your library.
2. Initially courses will be seminary level courses targeted at people who's circumstances make it impractical or impossible to obtain a traditional seminary education. Could the courses be used for small groups or church institutes? Sure, why not?
3. The courses will sell like Logos books as singles or bundles. There are about 100 courses in design and production. The prices are based on our cost to produce the product, but like all Logos products they represent a major savings over their traditional product format and they represent a new level of convenience and interactivity within the Logos ecosystem.
4. When we make make the pre-publication offer there will be a web page with sample videos that illustrate the product.
5. While we have accepted the role of curriculum designers, we have not become a degree granting institution. During the the past year of production word of our project has drifted into academic arena to the extent that several schools have asked us about incorporating these courses into their own distance ed programs. This will probably happen, offering people a path toward degree programs. Each school could add their own additional requirements and assignments. Our own focus is on education for people who just want or need to learn more. While our suggested course plans might look like an M. Div.program, they are not degree programs but rather opportunities to learn seminary/Bible college level materials in the Logos environment.

Thanks Dale; This is what I was looking for, and your answers have wet my appetite. I am looking forward to investigating the courses further once the project progresses.

Glad to know that I am not that far behind the curve on this new venture?

Sounds like my situation. I could not pastor this church if I were not retired military as well as drawing Social Security; the funds I get from the church hardly cover my gas expense. I purchase and purchase the things I use and use, but eventually must just use what I have already purchased. Hopefully at some point we will be able to move into more of these materials; the need for them is absolutely massive.

Will you offer payment plans as well? It might be a good option for those wishing to take some solid classes but need a more flexible way to pay for them.

This is basically what I do for college now. I charge each semester on a CC and pay it off using my WeatherBug paychecks. I haven't received any scholarships, so I'm just handling it this way. God is providing and giving me a solid education and a job to help pay for it, so I'm happy.

There are a lot of free education opportunities on the internet but it is hard to distinguish between good and bad programs

This is why we have accreditation agencies. I am really excited about Logos Mobile Education from what I have heard so far. However, if anyone is looking to be employed in any type of ministry from teaching to pastoring, most opportunities are going to require an accredited degree. I totally understand the concept of learning for the sake or learning, or learning for the sake of better ministry. However, when I was considering options for doctoral work years ago, I considered a distance school because it was cheap and I could stay in my place of ministry. It was also very credible, but not accredited by ATS or SACS. One of my M.Div. professors gave me great advice: "If you are going to do the work, you need to get credit for it."

I read Dale's earlier statement that schools were asking about partnering with Logos to offer credit for these courses. I really hope this happens and quickly. If these classes truly are Master's level courses, then people need to get Master's credit for them. Credit they can use toward degrees that will give them credentials to take advantage of ministry opportunities. For those individuals not seeking an type of vocational service this is not an issue, but for everyone else I would urge you to think about building up credentials that will be recognized by your future employers.

This is really exciting and I am looking forward to seeing it come to fruition!

"No credit" should be an option at a lower fee.

I agree. I would just like to see both options. 

May I recommend a foundational course (maybe two) on

What Does the Bible say about Heaven and Hell?

Or Perhaps something more selective

What did Jesus Say about Heaven?

What did Jesus Say about Hell?

I read Dale's earlier statement that schools were asking about partnering with Logos to offer credit for these courses. I really hope this happens and quickly.

I am 100% for this type of partnership. However, I have never seen an accredited school grant credit for external programs without gouging the student with unearned fees. It seems common to charge $100 per credit hour entered on a transcript. The granting school is selling their name at a great profit. If you must deal with the profiteers in the temple courts I guess it has to be. But I just want the option to learn the material without the high fees. Many churches would rather have the education than the degree. "No credit" should be an option at a lower fee.

Another good option as well. For those that want the credits, pay extra for them, but for those that want an iTunes-U like audit approach, offer it for less. Good discussion so far on both sides.

There are a lot of free education opportunities on the internet but it is hard to distinguish between good and bad programs

This is why we have accreditation agencies. I am really excited about Logos Mobile Education from what I have heard so far. However, if anyone is looking to be employed in any type of ministry from teaching to pastoring, most opportunities are going to require an accredited degree. I totally understand the concept of learning for the sake or learning, or learning for the sake of better ministry. However, when I was considering options for doctoral work years ago, I considered a distance school because it was cheap and I could stay in my place of ministry. It was also very credible, but not accredited by ATS or SACS. One of my M.Div. professors gave me great advice: "If you are going to do the work, you need to get credit for it."

I read Dale's earlier statement that schools were asking about partnering with Logos to offer credit for these courses. I really hope this happens and quickly. If these classes truly are Master's level courses, then people need to get Master's credit for them. Credit they can use toward degrees that will give them credentials to take advantage of ministry opportunities. For those individuals not seeking an type of vocational service this is not an issue, but for everyone else I would urge you to think about building up credentials that will be recognized by your future employers.

This is really exciting and I am looking forward to seeing it come to fruition!

 

I completely agree.  This is a great idea for a resource, but it is not a substitute for a course for which one would receive credit; therefore, it should not be priced as such.  If the price is right (I have no idea what the right price should be), then I will certainly take advantage of some of these unique resources! 

Charles Stanley also still has a lot of his course material from the former Charles Stanley Institute for Christian Living. A lot of his videos and coursework is already in electronic format, so it wouldn't take much to convert it to Logos format. It'd be great to revive this into Logos format. I'd sure pay to have it!

Me too.  (boldface in quote mine)

I am excited to see what courses will be offered.  I will complete my BS in Religion in April 2014 and would love to use the classes to supplement my current education.  So will it be general courses, prescribe courses around a topic, or classes for credit?   Many questions, will you provide more answers? Please!

Very good poijt.  Sort of a "cart before the horse" problem.