Originally posted by Martin:
UZThD:
Just a comment on something.
Stanley's ThD was obtained before LR was accredited. But that is not to say that LR was not credible. Yet, when LR became accredited by TRACS the school had to forego the ThD program.
==Yes and now that the school is seeking SACS they are making even more adjustments. Which, in my view, is a wonderful thing. It only makes the school better.
Martin.
There is an upside and downside to this. LRS is improving its own standing and creditability but it has lost its cutting edge in innovative and creative distance ed. At one time, LRS was the most reputable and innovative leader in Christian distance ed circles. With accreditation, they lost their edge. They are still a leader in Christian distance education but they are not the
avant-garde any longer. Others, Liberty University for example, are doing basically what they’re doing. They are no longer doing radically new and pioneering things with distance ed. They’re not pushing the envelope anymore. It’s hard to take risks and try new things and still satisfy your accreditors, especially the more traditional regional accreditors. So, there’s an upside and a downside. I have always contended that accreditation discourages innovation and creativity.
At time, LRS did something, I believe, with life experience credit. This was an attractive idea in the early days of the embryonic distance education movement but it has fizzled because it is so hard to document and assess. Lots of criticism came because much credit was given where little was deserved. Also, degree mills jumped on this concept and have given it a bad name. On the other hand, I still believe the idea has merit with the proper controls. I do like the idea of credit for demonstrated competencies and credit by examination. The problem is that most people don’t how to assess competencies well. There is a solid tradition of this in the University of London external degree programs, which have been in existence for over 100 years.