Diocese of Victoria in Texas

Distance Learning Program

Diocese of Victoria• Size of Diocese: • 9,609 sq. miles• 50 parishes, 19 missionsVery rural diocese with small

parishes in small towns.Victoria is the largest city with 65,000

people.

Diocese of VictoriaPastoral Institute Extended Program:

Continuing Adult Faith Enrichment

• 25 years in existence• Two sites which involved travel for

instructor• Limited instructors available • Price of gasoline increased

Distance Learning• In the summer of 2008

– Researched companies that could help us – Selected Premier Global

• They used Webex and were able to work with MACs and PCs.

• Various plans were offered.• Powerpoint is transmitted via Internet.• Voice transmitted via phone line

– We purchased conference phones, laptops, and LCD projectors

Distance LearningEquipment

• Internet access

- DSL or T-1 line needed

• Laptop with built in camera

• LCD projector

• Conference phone

- Available for loan from diocese needs to be compatible with the phone

line, digital or analog, used by the parish

Distance Learning• In the fall of 2008

– We offered our Pastoral Institute three year Extended Program to one site.

• Tuesdays morning and repeated in the evening• 120 participants

– We offered a 12-week Continuing Education course to a different site

• Thursday evenings• 80 participants

Distance Learning

• In the spring of 2011– Last semester of our Pastoral Institute

three year Extended Program• Offered the last two six-week courses to two

sites• Tuesdays morning and repeated in the evening

Distance Learning• Benefits

– Increased participation– Saved time and money for travel– Could be used for other settings and

purposes• PCL conference call meetings• Organization of Catechetical Leadership

meeting programs

Distance Learning• 3-Year program evaluations

Comments about Distance Learning experience:• It is as if we were all there• It gives a greater opportunity to many that would not attend

if they had to travel• Not having to travel too far. • A wonderful way that we are able to attend these classes

without traveling so far• New format for me but it was O.K.• Very good experience

Distance LearningOrganization of Catechetical Leadership- Meeting programs and workshops

* 2009 - program co-sponsored with RCL

Benziger and the diocese- presenter Dan Mulhall- projected to three locations in the

Victoria diocese from his home in New England

- Opening Prayer, presentation, table discussions, reporting, wrap-up

Distance LearningOrganization of Catechetical Leadership

- Meeting programs and workshops * February, 2011

- program co-sponsored with Loyola Press and the diocese- presenter Tom Mc Graph & Joellyn Cicciarelli- projected to three locations in the diocese

from Chicago• 81 persons participated, cost of $87

- Opening Prayer, presentation, table discussions, activities, reporting, wrap-up