Report on AVLL & AVLN Meeting
NAD Teacher Convention in Dallas
Tuesday, August 15, 2000, Houston Ballroom

Approximately 50 people attended the AVLL lunchtime meeting during the Teacher Convention in Dallas. As they introduced themselves, it was apparent they represented a variety of geographical areas of the NAD ­ and also from different kinds of educational institutions. Although there is no documentation, my personal opinion is that over half had very little to no knowledge of AVLL or the AVLN project before coming to this meeting or the convention. From the comments that were made, interest seemed to be very high in the goals and purposes of AVLL.

Janine Lim successfully persuaded many of those present to sign up for the AVLL listserv. As it has been pointed out in the last several weeks, some of those that joined may have been looking for information more than full participation of discussions, etc. ­ and promptly asked to be taken off the listserv since that time. A suggestion might be to redirect or inform them about the whole process of how to be involved or get information they wanted about AVLL. Marilyn Eggers has done that recently with all of us. Having that information go out to those on that sign-up list might be very helpful and pique their interest once again. We really need their input and participation.

During the meeting in the Houston Ballroom, Don Van Ornam, Sean Carney and Marilyn Eggers gave a brief overview of the AVLL History, TAGnet &AVLN, and the NAD involvement with technology. The reports that followed on the June AVLL Conference by Lee Davidson and the Secondary DE Consortium (ACDE) by Derral Reeve just underscored the very exciting ways that God has been leading and guiding in all of these events and the groups who are sponsoring them. As Shirley Freed opened the discussion from all of the attendees at this meeting, it was evident there was a shared vision of the need for distributed education and online instruction (or whatever you want to call it).

Although some may disagree, the urgency or crisis that has superseded and has given the impetus for these projects was underscored during the meeting of facilitators the night before and again at the presentation at lunch. It was interesting that even those who were unfamiliar and did not know the historical events leading up to the AVLL group and AVLN, seemed to resonate and applaud those who originally wanted to shape Adventist education and meet its crucial needs.

Indeed, because it is always appropriate to "keep the focus," this might be a good time to reiterate our passion and ardor for technology and Adventist education. In that vein, let me humbly attempt to again put such important concepts into words. If you detect I am passionate about all of this, you are so right. I care very much about this project. Feel free to react.

Some may disagree but many of us believe that we are in a crisis in world's history. We could very well be in the closing chapters of the Great Controversy. If not, we need to be. Like never before, we need to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We need to go Home -- and we need to take our children and youth with us. We need them away from the pain and dangers of this world and to be safe and fulfilled. They need to be with their Master Teacher. We will only be able to rejoice when they are.

We were told that our youth and children could provide the army, if rightly trained, who could give the message of the crucified, risen, and soon­coming Savior. If they did, how soon He would come and end this sinful world (paraphrased). Although the strength and success of Adventist education can be traced to the wisdom and instruction given from God as to the purposes and goals for education, we are not Home yet and have work to do!

Here's the work we need to do:

  1. Rightly train our youth and children to be of service in their local and global communities.
  2. Let them to be actively involved in the mission of the church to evangelize and finish The Work now (they might even have the ideas to get the job done).
  3. Learn to love Jesus so much that they want to be with Him forever.

But we have a crisis or urgent challenge ahead of us:

  1. Some have estimated that less than half of the children of the church are in our schools.
  2. The cost of education may be making it prohibitive for families to access Adventist education.
  3. Far too many students are in isolated places or are in communities that do not have enough young people to appropriately support a school.
  4. Teachers and students need to be encouraged, strengthened and empowered to fulfill the gospel by being active participants in the mission of the church.

This means that AVLL and AVLN needs to proceed to accomplish the following:

  1. Begin immediately to provide online courses for students in isolated areas who want Adventist Education. The most urgent area seems to be courses in the 9th grade year.
  2. Develop courses that provide the best of what we know about academic quality and delivery. More importantly, the curriculum must be gospel/faith-oriented that will lead students to love Jesus Christ, become His disciples and make a commitment to the mission of the church.
  3. Seriously look for ways to lower the cost of Adventist Education by using online instruction.
  4. Administrate the development of these courses by utilizing professional educators, talented and creative technology experts, people to manage and operate this new educational system, and to elicit the support of those who can provide the capital and financial resources to do all of the above.

Therefore, AVLL, AVLN and many others are seeing the possibilities that technology can provide to meet some of the tremendous and thrilling opportunities ahead of us. This will lead to dedicating ourselves to the promise that if we "seek first the kingdom of God" that "all of the other things will be added." We must move off of not only "talking the talk" but to see the urgency of "walking the walk." We must become "doers" and "get the job done." We can rely on His strength to see us through. We ask you to join us in the journey that will take us to the New Earth. May God bless us as we talk, walk, and work together to accomplish His goals for His children.

Reported submitted by Deloris Trujillo

Download formatted pdf file of this report.

Home


Webmaster Marilyn Eggers
Webdesigner Kent Cabreira
Updated November 2, 2000