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| A Whole Lot of “Learners”
By Landon Bennett
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 Gathering
from as far as Florida and as close as PUC
itself, a group of 106 teachers, educators and “
learners” from all over the Christian education
community convened at PUC for the annual Adventist Virtual
Learning Network convention.
Nationally acclaimed authors Rena Palloff and Keith
Pratt spoke at the convention, presenting ways to build a
stronger learning environment. One idea they proposed
was to use the term “learner” in lieu of “student” or “
teacher” in order to build a more interactive and
cooperative learning atmosphere. “They really helped us
look to the future,” said Bob Paulson, PUC professor
and 2004 AVLN coordinator. “We see opportunity for
growth, no matter what avenue we work in.”
AVLN was founded on the belief that teachers and
schools do not grow on their own; instead, through
collaborative efforts, they can become better educators
and stronger institutions. This year, AVLN made specific
recommendations to the General Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists and to Adventist college
presidents regarding the future of web-based classes
and the need for universal acceptance of credits across
Adventist colleges. The attendees hope that next year
the conference will be completely online.
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