Grebel’s graduate programs are full of discussions and interaction in class and beyond. Traditionally, students engage with one another in the classroom, during breaks, lunch, and after class. With classes online this term and everyone so spread out, it’s more difficult to connect with one another, but professors and students are building a community, just like in any other term.
Reina Neufeldt, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, is using a platform called Perusall to build community through course readings and videos. Students can highlight text in the readings, ask and answers questions, and engage in discussion.
Jesse Matas, a first year Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) student, said, “WhatsApp has been a good resource to communicate to other students for organizing fire-pit get-togethers and communication if someone can’t get into Zoom.” He continued, “In 2020, chats and social media have a distinct place in our society, but they can’t replace many of the traditional ways we used to interact.”
The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) programs took advantage of time during the summer for community building with engaging online discussion sessions for returning students and incoming students.
Over the course of the term, students have also taken initiative in community building and have added birthdays to the weekly newsletter, organized an informal preaching workshop, and met virtually for lunch before class.
“We aren’t able to be friends in the same way as other years, but we are trying to find alternatives,” added MTS student Janelle Arnold. “Those private chats in Zoom calls feel like passing notes in class. It still feels like being part of a community, just in a different configuration.”
