ONLINE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

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Apart from the class-based studies in Amsterdam, Foundation Academy offers the possibility to follow online programs and courses.  Even before the outbreak of corona, Foundation Academy was already serving students from across the globe who live too far away to come to the classroom in Amsterdam. From Africa to Asia, on almost every continent, we have students who study theology with us through our online education program. Our students are as diverse and multicultural as our teaching staff and curriculum.

We distinguish between two forms of online education: online long-distance learning and hybrid learning. The benefits of each form of education are explained in more detail in the next section.

 

ONLINE LONG-DISTANCE LEARNING

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Studying online in our long-distance program at Foundation Academy is done mostly through email.  When you don't have a fast and stable internet connection that allows you to join a class live, if your electricity is down often due to load-shedding, or if that is very expensive, this is the flexible and low-budget way to study.  
For each course, you will get the study materials by email together with a syllabus. In the syllabus, you can find what you need to read each week and what assignments you have to do.

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For each course, you will be tutored by one of our lecturers who is available to answer questions you have about the study material and also to grade your assignments. Our lecturers are all theologians who teach at various universities or are in ministry. They will either have doctorate degrees, be Ph.D. candidates, or have a master's degree in theology.
Studying online offers you more flexibility than studying class-based.  You can study at your own pace. If you need more time, we will plan accordingly; if you want to study faster we can also arrange that by making it possible to do two courses at the same time. That is up to you and we will try to accommodate you as much as possible. Also, online students can start their studies at any moment during the school year (except for the summer holiday and the Christmas holiday).

 

ONLINE HYBRID LEARNING

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In our hybrid program at the Foundation Academy, you will study along with the class at our campus in Amsterdam on Wednesdays but you will be joining them online through zoom with live video and sound. The great advantage is that, while you may be half a world away, you can follow the classes, interact with your fellow classmates and lecturer, participate in group discussions, work on assignments together, and ask questions live during class. This program does require a fast enough and stable internet connection that allows you to join a class live through zoom. You will also need access to a desktop computer, tablet, or laptop with a webcam and microphone so that you can see and hear your classmates and lecturers and vice versa.
For each course, you will get the study materials by email along with a syllabus. In the syllabus, you can find what you have to read each week and what assignments you have to do. On Wednesdays, you will log in and join your class online. Our lecturers are all theologians who teach at various universities or are in ministry. They will either have doctorate degrees, be Ph.D. candidates, or have a master's degree in theology.

Since you will study together with the class in Amsterdam, this means you will also follow the yearly schedule of the classes. You will start together with the class in September and your school year ends in June. Unlike long-distance learning, you cant start at any given time during the school year and you cant study at your own pace. However, you will follow the schedule the current class will be in. The great advantage is the live interaction with your lecturers and classmates and the ability to discuss and work together with your classmates.
 

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Coordinator for the online program: Brian Bonkestoter  

(online.coordinator@foundation.eu.com)

Brian Bonkestoter is currently based in the Netherlands (though he has also lived in eastern Africa and has roots elsewhere). He has an academic ​background in urban and regional planning and law, as well as experience as a policy advisor and project manager.  He also served on the board of a Mozambican non-governmental organization (Sarinha) that works on development projects, mostly in the field of education.