What an excellent point to make — that the Web is a great extension for an existing institution, but a hard place for a new operation to break into. My hunch about that has to do with networks — which ones exist already, and which ones could be built.

But anyway, you’re also right to note that content availability is likely a key at GC, rather than interactive education — but that is always an issue even with “typical” classes that aren’t online. And my hunch is that GC is doing this because they’ve got organic connections to communities who have said they want this. So at least, in whatever small ways, they’re listening.

Very encouraging to see this happen. My only bone is that what is being offered here probably has more to do with content availability than interactive education through the institution… yet the accessibility is to be lauded!

One further thought. My theory on the lack of attention given to ‘Disseminary’ lies with the lessons we have learned from the Dot Com bubble; the Web is a great extension for an existing brand or institution, but a really hard place for a new operation to break in. Existing theological Colleges will always have an edge in the online world because their reputations are already established (note also Western Governors’ and the UKeU’s experience).

Best from Down Under,

Mark.