How Do I register for the current class(es) being offered?

Click here to go to the listing of current classes and for instructions on how to register for classes.

What is "Distance Learning" or "eLearning"?

Distance Learning (or "eLearning") means taking a course of study via the Internet. In some cases, the class may be offered as a live Webinar, meaning that you will have the option to join the live class via video conferencing, downloading the class handouts, and following along with the class. During the live Webinar, there will be Q & A time when students in remote locations can ask questions and listen to the answers provided by the Instructor. In addition, an audio recording of the class will be available a few hours after the class has finished, allowing the students to download the recording for further review.

Of course, one is not required to participate in the Webinar in order to enroll in the class. For some students in time zones distant from the Pacific Standard Time zone, viewing the live Webinar would be difficult. Listening to the lectures, reading the syllabus and other materials, and interacting via the Class Forum allows even those students who do not participate in the Class Webinar to be fully involved in the class.

Class Forums

All students enrolled in a Distant Learning Class have access to the Class Forum. This allows students to share their thoughts and questions relative to the class, to recieve feedback from the Instructor, as well as to dialog with other students in the class over the topics being discussed.

What Classes are Offered?

To date we have offered eleven classes (see Course Listing). For ten of these, the complete class syllabus and audio recordings are available for purchase. See the Course Studies page. We continue to develop new courses which we will offer in upcoming semesters.

Who is Eligible to Enroll in the Distance Learning Classes?

Generally, classes are open to all. In some cases, preliminary classes may be required before upper level classes may be taken, and in some classes a working knowledge of Hebrew or Greek may be required. But our goal is to offer the opportunity for learning to all who desire it. Generally, our courses are offered at a College level.

When Do Classes Begin?

Classes are offered for the Fall/Winter, and Winter/Spring Semesters, and occasionally during the Summer. The dates assigned to a particular class indicate when the materials will be available and assignments are due. Since, however, the classes are recorded and the audio files uploaded to the website, students may listen to the class and complete assignments in accordance with their individual schedules. This is one of the great advantages of Distance Learning! You can complete weekly requirements for the class when it best fits your schedule. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain a weekly schedule of their own choosing that enables them to listen to the recorded lecture and complete assignments in advance of the next lecture.

What Will the Distance Learning Experience Be Like?

Once you have registered for a class, you will receive a Username and Password. These will allow you to enter the Yeshiva area of the website, and to go to your specific Class Page. You must also register in the Forums in order to have access to the Class Forum. In this Class Forum, students have the opportunity to ask questions of the Instructor and to dialog with other students over topics raised in the class.

Those who have registered for the live class Webinar will recieve an email "invitation" to the Webinar along with instructions for joining the class via the internet. Joining the class is as easy as clicking on the link in the email, which will automatically take the student to the website where the Webinar is being housed. The student will be able to see the live video and hear the class as it is being taught. There is also a Public Chat feature which allows students to type in questions during Q & A sessions. All participating in the class see the Public Chat, and see and hear the instructor answer the questions that are raised.

Following each class session, an audio recording of the class will be uploaded to the Class Page where the handouts have also been uploaded. Students download the audio file each week and listen to the lecture in connection with the assigned readings in textbooks or following along with the syllabus. Further questions or comments can be posted in the Class Forum for additional clarification and application.

Currently the classes do not require students to complete assignments. Participating in the class via the class Webinar, listening to the audio recordings and reading the assigned materials, and interacting on the Class Forum offers sufficient opportunity for real learning if the students so apply themselves.

What do the Classes Cost?

Most classes will be 12-14 weeks and will include class materials (downloadable in pdf format), audio recordings of each class (downloadable in mp3 format), and in some cases, additional materials. All the materials will be available via download from the Class Page on the website. The cost for Distance Learning Classes range from $25 to $65, and some of the classes are offered free of charge.

Are the Classes Accredited?

No, TorahResource is not currently accredited. We are considering ways that we might offer credit for some of the classes we offer, but accreditation is something we have not yet acquired.

Who are the Instructors?

Currently there are two Instructors: Tim Hegg and Rob Vanhoff. We anticipate adding additional Instructors in the future.