In the midst of a global pandemic, some institutions that had little experience with virtual education saw the need and opportunity to start using it. This is the case of the Dominican Nazarene Seminary – SND, in Santo Domingo. In a joint effort between the Regional Ministry of Education and Clergy Development and SENDAS, leaders from all over the Dominican Republic, including district superintendents, faculty, and coordinators of study centers for organization, met via Zoom® on April 22 for a two-hour training.
The activity had 18 attendees representing all five districts in the country. After a few introductory remarks by SDN president Rev. Ernesto Bathermy and a devotional by the academic dean, Simón Shal; Rev. Miguel Yudén — university professor and district superintendent of the East District — shared his experience teaching using virtual platforms. Manuel Arcia, from the SENDAS technical support team, shared information on the correct use of the software and answered questions. The training concluded with Dr. Rubén Fernández — SENDAS president and Regional Coordinator for Education and Pastoral Development — shared a seminar on the topic “The role of Theological Institutions in times of Coronavirus”.
Rev. Ernesto Bathermy commented about the training: “The meeting was a great blessing. We were all encouraged and challenged to use technology in the teaching-learning process and for the betterment of our theological education program.”