Women learn differently here at Catherine College

Women in our programs discover that we encourage the highest standards of excellence within a safe environment interwoven with the following five elements:

1. Woman-to-woman partnership for learning

Women generally thrive on human relationships; hence, we learn best when we are surrounded by caring and stimulating friends. Accordingly, those women who study here at Catherine College experience a learning climate that is uniquely adapted to women’s interests, dreams, and hunger for deep learning.

2. Problem-based learning

Most adults prefer to figure things out for themselves rather than simply to be told. This results in what we call "deep learning." The inquiring mind and trust in intuitions replaces the traditional subservience to "authorities." This kind of learning is of supreme importance because it frees women to discover (a) when and why well-tested traditions hold up or break down and (b) how authoritarian learning produces Fundamentalisms and spiritual lethargy.

3. Interactive learning

Participants will be wrestling with ideas, making hunches, and exploring real choices that will change the direction of their learning as it unfolds. Participants will feel that they are taking charge of their own learning and respecting their personal learning style.

4. Feedback loop

Every course will be tested a dozen times by women relating their experiences with every phase of the program. Constant feedback leads to constant improvement.

5. International learning

Meanwhile, over the course of time, alternative segments will be designed for use within diverse cultures. Women will get in touch with experiences of other women that they never knew or thought about. This expands their sense of caring and compassion and leads to the realization that every living theology is necessarily shaped by culture and history (both personal and collective).

Aaron Interviewed by Stephanie Gould

Q: This morning, we have with us Aaron Rose-Milavec, who is joint Vice-President with his wife, Deborah, of a new virtual college. Welcome, Aaron!

A: Thanks, Stephanie. I’m glad to be here.

Q: Just a moment ago you told me that Catherine of Siena Virtual College is poised to have its Grand Opening just after the New Year?

A: Indeed we are. For the last six months, we have been constructing our new college in the heart of cyberspace. Three months back, eighteen women piloted our first three experimental classes. The results were overwhelmingly positive; hence, on January 7^th we’ll be celebrating our Grand Opening with the three classes already tested plus three brand-new experimental classes.

Q: Are such cyberspace classes really any use?

A: Anyone can check them out at www.catherinecollege.net. To date, our classes in Women Writing for (a) Change and Developing an authentic personality have been filling up first. In the area of women’s studies, we have two fresh, mind-expanding courses: one explores how women’s roles in ministry have been changing and curtailed over two millennia; the other examines how children’s stories shape the internal world of girls. For those inclined toward action, the Prophetic Spirituality of Justice and Developing your management skill would be my first recommendation. What’s truly revolutionary about our courses, however, is not just the content—it’s the way in which collaborative learning takes place within them.

Q: But isn’t online learning a lonely enterprise?

A: Well, to begin with, women who arrive in our virtual classrooms immediately discover that they are never alone. Using simple rituals, each woman introduces herself and then gets to interact with the others who have already introduced themselves. Right from the very beginning, therefore, the participants begin bonding with each other and preparing themselves to take part in a learning circle.

Q: Ah, I see, even though your participants never meet each other face to face, they do, nonetheless, strongly engage each other in collaborative learning.

A: Exactly. Online, however, the possibilities of collaborative learning exceed those found within the live classroom.

Q: Really? Prove it to me!

A: Well, for starters, when you arrive for your online class, you are accepted on the basis of your own story and your own skills. You may be exceedingly attractive or very plain. You may be rich or very poor. You may be graceful or painfully awkward. Online, however, these things simply don’t get in the way of internet exchanges in the way that they do in real life exchanges. And another thing. The anonymity of the internet enables women who might normally be too afraid to speak out in a classroom discussion to present themselves quite forcefully and quite sophisticatedly within an internet forum.

Q: I hadn’t ever thought about that . . . . Is this borne out in fact?

A: Going further, Catherine College firmly believes that any classroom that has only one teacher is impoverished. In the best of classrooms, everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn, including the professor. The most critical role that the professor plays is often to make a safe place in her classroom wherein women can find their true voices and to express themselves freely. The bonding that takes place in the virtual classroom must accordingly be joined with a shared sense of respect and mystery in the face of co-learners struggling to become their authentic selves even when they have for so long been beaten down and forced to adapt roles that conceal their true voices.

Q: Do you imply that learning at Catherine College can allow women to recover lost parts of themselves?

A: In my own practice as a teacher, I have always noted that deep learning is always accompanied with a transformation of self that is liberating, healing, and empowering. This is where the traditional classrooms so miserably fail. So much attention is given to mastering a subject in a prescribed manner that there is no time or place to acknowledge the personal joys and frustrations, insights and healing that necessarily accompanies deep learning. And this is true whether one is studying physics or philosophy, literature or women’s studies. But already, I am gratified to say, the women in our pilot classes have again and again said to us that we are doing something very important, very healing, and very academic—all at the same time.

Q: Does all this apply to your Virtual College?

A: Well, take the case of the Women Writing for (a) Change. Even with only five sessions online, here is a sampler of what three participants were saying:

Our class was so great--we have come so far, trusting one another with our words and trusting the process. I loved it! It was very meaningful; in fact, I will remember this month of sessions for decades to come.

I am reflecting and feeling empowered that there is a place for me and for my contributions in this world. . . . And to the other women in this class -- you are valuable and you matter, too. I treasure the sharing that you have done and look forward to upcoming sessions.

I loved this session. I loved being accountable and not being able to run away and hide -- knowing that I needed to put my best foot forward and write and post and share.

Q: That sounds impressive! Your collaborative methodology seems to be working. Our time is just about up. Any final word you’d like to add?

A: In addition to combining soul-searching with skill building, our students find that our international and intercultural atmosphere is also a real plus. When someone from Indiana shares insights with someone from India or someone from Spain shares the difficulties found within her own culture, this is a stretch and an inspiration for all concerned. At times it is positively exhilarating to have a learning partner who lives half-way around the world!

Q: O.K. We’ve learned from Aaron that it’s all happening at www.catherinecollege.net and that six new courses are open for enrolment on a first come, first serve, basis. Go for it!

Please join us and discover these things for yourself.