Writing, writing, writing...

I am at the stage of this study where I need to get my head down and word count up! I spent the day refining the first stage of my proposal, which is now structured as follows:

• Introduction
• Toward a typology of distance education
• Further typologies in theological education literature
• Typologies and definitions in non-sectarian literature
• Distance education: A working typology
• The BCNZ model
• Objections to theological education at a distance
• Addressing the primary issues (UP TO HERE)
  
• Formation
• Technology
• Community
• Embodiment
• Significant questions that remain
• Bibliography

The concern is where I'm up to ;o) but I have not really done sufficient reading yet on formation or community to adequately address the section. I have fifteen more readings to complete relating to theological education at a distance, then I turn my attention to Christian formation.

So, as far as writing goes, I may have come as far as I am able to at present. I will glean through my summary document (stage 3) to ensure that I have captured all major themes and ideas to date before submitting my final draft of the review thus far. My date of submission for this proposal is mid-August, and I am presenting on the theme of formation through distance education at a Tyndale-Carey graduate seminar, so there's still plenty to do and plenty of pressure to complete it with!

Once this proposal is complete, I turn my attention to general Christian education theory (particularly its goals and current contentions) and a more thorough treatment of formation. My initial reading has included an excellent book by Brian V. Hill called Beyond the transfer of knowledge (WorldCat, not Amazon), a well-written, thought-provoking and ultimately practical piece that gives an excellent touch-stone for formational thought in Christian education.

Thanks Brian.