Technical Requirements

10 relevant skills that students can develop as online learners:
  1. Online Communication and Collaboration Skills are developed as students interact with their teacher and other students in the course through electronic means to successfully complete assignments, assessments and participate in threaded discussions. If a student is only familiar with face-to-face communication, they will have to learn how to effectively communicate needs and emotions through electronic mediums including email, threaded discussions, phone and skype. Effective communication skills using electronic means is critical in all walks of life.

  2. Critical Thinking Skills are developed as your student has to engage with course content outside of the traditional classroom setting. Working in online courses from Living Waters Spanish, your students will be called upon to weigh concepts in light of Scripture to formulate and communicate their thoughts and ideas. As your students strengthen their critical thinking skills, they become more grounded in who they are in Christ.

  3. Independent Learning Skills are developed as students engage with online courses. Your students can devise their own work schedule to consistently work in their online homework towards successful completion by the end date. Meeting homework deadlines demonstrates the responsibility that will help your students succeed in life.

  4. Initiative, Self-Direction and Motivation are developed because students have the freedom to engage with their online course on their terms. Success as an online learner is a direct function of one's willingness to engage with the course content in the allotted time.

  5. Problem Solving and Adaptability Skills are developed as students work through technical difficulties that arise periodically with any online-oriented work. Learning how to be a successful online learner, itself, requires that your students adapt to a new way to learn. Independent learning inherently forces a student to problem solve and adapt in order to keep moving past challenging content and/or technical issues that can easily stall progress.

  6. Productivity and Accountability is developed as students strive to consistently progress through their courses to avoid penalties for late work. The nice thing about becoming a successful online learner is that you can still oversee their growth, holding them accountable to developing productive habits as an independent learner. Parents and online teachers have a front-row seat to clearly know when it makes sense to intervene as a catalyst to spur students on in developing a strong work ethic as an online learner.

  7. Resourcefulness is developed as students are called upon to gather materials required to successfully complete assignments and labs. Students will also have to adjust plans to stay on/get back on track in their course. They will also be challenged to create new content as they progress in their online course.

  8. Technology Proficiency is developed as students must learn how to effectively operate a wide variety of technologies such as: Learning Management Systems; Networks/Wi-Fi; Word Processors; Spreadsheets; WebEx; Web Browsers; etc. Successfully operating and navigating such technology is a skill required in all walks of life.

  9. Time Management is developed as students strive to stay on track towards successful completion by the end date of the online course. Your students will have to plan for time off from the course by either working ahead or working after the break to catch up. They will be learning the real-world time management strategies that are required to succeed in life.

  10. Global Classroom Participation benefits your students as they get to hear ideas from other students around the country who are in the same section of the online course. They can build relationships and discuss important topics with other Christian students from other places in the USA, and with others from Spanish-speaking countries. Participating in a secure, global classroom with Christian students can help your student’s view of the Kingdom of God grow beyond your community.