DTS First Semester Critical Review

BE101 - Highlights and Lowlights

Final grades were posted a couple days ago which effectively puts an end to my first semester at DTS.  I thought it would be a good idea to reflect a bit and offer a critical review of the class and my performance throughout.  As with any endeavor, there were things that were done well, and things that could have been done better.  Without pulling any punches, here are my highlights and lowlights.

Limping to the Finish Line

Fall 2016 - That's a Wrap

Well, it was a real difficult finish for me as I struggled with my health over the past month, but by God's grace, I pulled it together and finished out my first semester at DTS.  While I haven't been well enough to keep my posting schedule here, I had just enough strength to limp my way to the finish line and I submitted my final assignment just before Christmas to close out the BE101 course.

Difficulties notwithstanding, I had a great semester and I have high expectations for an excellent grade.  Here's a brief wrap of my final month of BE101 and in the coming days I'll write more about my overall experience at DTS this semester.

I Can See the Finish Line

Home Stretch

I've now completed over 75% of my coursework for BE101 and with only 4 more short weeks to go, it's time to dig in and sprint to the finish.  While my health has not been overly cooperative, I feel good that I'll be able to suck it up to make a final push to the finish line.

A Little Hiatus

Back At It

It's been a little while since I last posted, but I'm still here chipping away at my school work.  I've surrendered a little bit of my work ahead cushion, but I think I'm in decent shape for the next couple of weeks.  Lots of things to catch up on.

Knee Deep in Research

The Fun Continues

Another week is now behind me and things are going along nicely.  I'm still running a little over a week ahead and I'm looking to expand that a bit in the coming days.  Module 6 has been a blast and I should be wrapped up with the second learning activity in the next few days.  Lots of things learned this week so read on to hear more about it.

Slowly but Surely

Plodding Along

Hard to believe I'm closing in on the mid-point of my first semester here at DTS.  It's been a great experience thus far and I think it's safe to say my expectations have been exceeded.  While it's a lot different than a traditional classroom setting, I really like this task-oriented style of learning and I've definitely gotten comfortable with the flow of the course.  I'm slowly but surely plodding along, however, I've got some work to do over the next two weeks.

It's Not Work When It's Fun

Time Melts Away

I'm going to end up spending a lot of time on my learning activities in Module 6 but it's not because I have to, it's because I want to.  It really isn't work when it's fun!  The farther I get into this class, the more interesting and enjoyable the experience is.  Yeah, I struggled with the previous learning assignment a bit, but that seems ages ago as I'm completely consumed with the latest assignments.  Wow. 

The Great Module Unlock

 Lots of Work to Do

Yesterday was a big day for my online BE101 class.  A total of 7 new modules became unlocked which will take me all the way to December 7.  I actually like this as now I have plenty of time to roll along at my own pace over the coming months.  Some of the learning activities are going to be pretty involved, so the sooner I get going on this great module unlock, the better.

Pseudo Fall Break

A Lazy Cool Fall Weekend

I had a challenging week this week outside of school so I kind of took the week off.  I needed it.  Given that I was a full week ahead on my assignments, this isn't a big issue.  But my latest learning activity is giving me a little heartburn.  I still have 5 more days to work on it and a full 4 more days until the next assignments unlock, so it's not the time to hit the panic button just yet.  Just a little time for a self made Fall break.

Smooth Sailing

The Benefits of Staying Ahead

Week six is just about to peek over the horizon and for me, that means it's time to start working on Module 4.  I'm still the better part of one week ahead and the extra breathing room is really coming in handy.  It's a nice thing to be able to work at my own pace.

Time to File Week Five

Time Flies...

Hard to believe another week is just about over but it's time to file week five.  Overall a very good and productive week as I'm just about finished with Module 3.   I'm really settling into a steady rhythm and while the assignments are getting a little harder, they're also getting a lot more fun and my learning is definitely expanding.  Keep reading to get the skinny this week on my learning development and to check out my statistics after week 5.

Getting to Know Logos

Learning Logos

I'm working on lots of things for BE101 at the moment but the most exciting thing I've done recently is to start kicking the tires on the Logos Bible Software program.  I'll be honest, it's an intimidating package to get started with.  But with a good old-fashioned "wonder what this button does?" attitude, I'm beginning to see the power of this tool.  Well, that and some helpful training videos...  

What's in Your Worldview?

Perspective

Your worldview matters.  It shapes how you approach everyday life and the plethora of challenges that always seem to be hidden around every corner just out of sight.  Your worldview can steer you to hope or destroy you with fear.  So today I'm going to pose the question, "What's in your worldview?"

Also going to tackle my weekly class wrap-up and roll out a new graphic for my BE101 statistics!  Hard to believe that I've already put 20% of this course in my rearview mirror.  Some very interesting numbers are emerging which are testing some of my original hypotheses.

Just Keep Swimming

The Yo-Yo Effect

Life has been downright wacky for me lately.  I fell a little behind schedule in class. Then I got ahead of schedule. Now it looks like I'm going to fall a little behind again in the coming weeks.  Things do happen and there is no sense getting flipped over by the things you can't control.  So when life gets you down ... Just Keep Swimming...

Week Three Debrief

Taking Things in Stride

Time for the week three debrief.  Well, I've been thrown off my schedule a bit due to some things that are happening locally, but I'm still slightly ahead.  Just have to take these things in stride.  Besides, what would life be like without getting served a curveball every now and then?  Hence the importance of planning ahead!

Coursework Ahead

Back to Work!

The next round of assignments became available this morning and I'll have two weeks to work through Module 2.  While I'm feeling pretty good after all I've learned in the first module, I'll need to collect myself and get after some new challenges with the coursework ahead.

Week Two Wrap-Up

Trying To Find My Pace

As I wrap-up another week, I find I'm settling in quite well.  I've managed to get slightly ahead which is both good and bad.  Good in the sense that it is always better to be ahead than behind.  Bad in the sense that I hit a little lull in the action by mid-week and I'll need to wait until next Wednesday for my next round of assignments.

Overall, it was another good week.  First assignments, first grades, and more getting to know my classmates.  My schedule seems to be working so far and I'm certain that by October, I'll find an even pace in my work.

Achievement Unlocked

First Assignment Submitted

I've been poking at my learning assignment for the past couple of days and I got to the point where the more I tinker, the less I'm satisfied with the result.  So last night I decided to go ahead and submit my first learning assignment and put that behind me.  I think I did pretty well but let's wait and see if that squares with reality.  I can, at any rate, chalk this up as an achievement unlocked!

What now?  I'm a solid week ahead in my class and it doesn't make sense to read ahead quite yet for Module 2.  I have a little bit of an idea what my next assignment will be and if I'm right, I've actually got that one pretty much done as well.  So I have some time to burn.  Tonight I'll attend a chapel service or two and then maybe I'll dive into learning how to use Logos.  But that's really it for now.

Time to Go Wayback

Fire Up the Wayback Machine

George Santayana was famously quoted, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  You might be inclined to wonder, what does that have to do with attending a class in seminary?  Well, that is a very good question and I'm glad you asked!

Last week we began talking about the importance of observation in studying the Bible.  Specifically, the ability to identify the basic grammatical structures and syntax of a text.  How an author used language elements to express thoughts and ideas is important to ultimately being able to properly interpret a passage.

After listening to the professor and reading my textbook last week, I'm convinced I must have been either asleep or brain dead during my English classes some 33 years ago.  I recall nothing!  And this makes up a significant portion of my first learning assignment in BE101.  So it's time to fire up the Wayback Machine because if I have any hope of completing this assignment, I'm going to need to learn some English grammar, and fast!

Week One - In the Books

Well That Went Well

I waited all summer long to get started and now I get to put week one in the books.  I couldn't be happier with the start of the semester and the structure of the online program.  As long as I stay focused and disciplined, I expect to finish the course without any problems.  I also anticipate being challenged and learning a lot as we progress through the class.