The 10 Best Schools in Switzerland for 2020.

T H E

10 03 2020

ISSUe

WWW.THEKNOWLEDGEREVIEW.COM

VOLUME

N O W L E DEducation.

G E RInnovation.

E V I ESuccess W THE 10 BEST

SCHOOLS IN Switzerland FOR 2020

OBERSEE BILINGUAL SCHOOL

Welcome

G

ood food, natural surroundings, being in tune with nature and exercise are the keys to good health. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind and vice versa. If a child is provided with all these from a very early age, he/she not only grasps and absorbs things quickly, but is also able to take rational decisions for the beneďŹ t of self, countrymen and the human race overall.

Creating Responsible Future Citizens with Quality Education

Very few countries offer this kind of environment and grooming to children from the day they start their schooling. Switzerland is one such country that has recognised the need to mould students under natural circumstances.

Education in Switzerland is very diverse as the government has delegated the authority of school education to its 26 member states.

Education is compulsory and free for everyone in Switzerland till the age of 12 years.

Imagine children walking to and from school daily from day one of their student life! Imagine the lush greenery, the lakes, the ascents and the descends through which children merrily walk to school every single day and parents are not scared to send their little ones on their own!

Children are trained by the police during the ďŹ rst year of school. The roads are also user-friendly with pathways and steps.

At school, teachers interact with the students directly in a friendly manner. With the need to interact with parents being eliminated, students become responsible for their actions and incorporate the

necessary changes on their own. This unusual amalgamation of a carefree childhood with sense of responsibility is what makes education in this country stand apart from others.

It is compulsory for students to bring healthy snacks in tiffin boxes and schools ensure that kindergarten children have lunch at home.

Ranked first in the world for its education system and third in the entire human capital report after Norway and Finland, Switzerland has reasons galore to look up to for education.

With a long tradition of research in chemicals and medicine, the country has more to offer than just scenic beauty. The country has 12 universities with the first being established as early as in 1450 and that too for the faculty of medicine.

This edition, The 10 Best Schools in Switzerland for 2020, exhibits the best of the aforementioned aspects of Swiss education.

On the cover of this edition we have, Obersee Bilingual School, which endeavours for its students to approach the world with joy and enthusiasm and to see

it as a place of endless opportunities. OBS believes that its students will design their own future, as well as that of the school’s, and therefore its mission is to provide them with an outstanding, innovative education and a global awareness that prepares them to master the challenges of an exciting, yet rapidly changing and unknown future.

Other prominent schools listed in this edition include, College Champittet, one of the esteemed schools of Nord Anglia Education (NAE) family of schools.

College Champittet, with its highly experienced and dedicated staff offers students education based on values and a tradition of academic excellence; International School Zurich North (ISZN) which provides exceptional education to children of the international community by following the globally renowned PYP, IGCSE, and IA-Level Programs of study; Leysin American School (LAS), which ensures a globally bright future for its students, by moulding and instilling within them values that will allow them to be independent, curious, and innovative leaders; and The British School of Bern, which is recognized for offering exemplary education for Preschool through Year 6 to children of all nationalities.

The edition also includes insightful articles penned by expert educationists and our in-house editorial team.

We hope you enjoy reading the magazine as much as we did while curating it! T R

Sumita Sarkar sumita@theknowledgereview.com

08 COVER STORY

OBERSEE BILINGUAL SCHOOL Taking Your Child On A Remarkable Learning Voyage

36

40 48

EDU TALK

ASTUTE THOUGHTS

ASTUTE MIND

Influence of Technology on Education

Why and how women can be the face of tomorrow’s business leaders

The Study of the Philosophy of Religion in the Age of the Internet

C

O

N

T

18

26

COLLEGE CHAMPITTET Guiding Students towards Zeniths of Excellence

32

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ZURICH NORTH (ISZN) Nurturing Lifelong Learners

42

LEYSIN AMERICAN SCHOOL

THE BRITISH SCHOOL

Raising a New Generation of Global Citizens

Developing a Strong Foundation for Life

22

E

ARTICLE

N

SWITZERLAND World Class Universities In Scenic Surroundings

T

S

sales@insightssuccess.com OCTOBER, 2020

People behind this edition Follow us on: Editor-in-Chief

Sumita Sarkar

www.facebook.com/theknowledgereview/ twitter.com/theknowledgerv

Senior Editor Managing Editor

Anish Miller Abhishaj Sajeev

Quality Assurance Team Sneha Sinha Contributing Editor Darshan Parmar

We are also available on:

Visualiser David King Art & Design Head Amol Kamble Art & Design Assistant

Asha Bange

CORPORATE OFFICE

Co-designer Paul Belin Art & Picture Editor Mayur Koli

Business Development Manager Phill Miller Marketing Manager Mary d'souza

The Knowledge Review

Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-602-1754 Email: info@theknowledgereview.com For Subscription: theknowledgereview.com

Business Development Executive Mark Taylor, John Mathew, Olivia Wood Technical Head Jacob Smile Assistant Technical Head Pratiksha Patil Technical Consultants Digital Marketing Manager Assistant Digital Marketing Manager SME-SMO Executives

Amar, David, Robert

The Knowledge Review

Off. No. 22 & 510, Rainbow Plaza, Shivar Chowk, Pimple Saudagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411017 Phone - India: +91 7410079881/ 82/ 83/ 84/ 85 Email: info@theknowledgereview.com For Subscription: theknowledgereview.com

Alina Sege Amol Wadekar Atul, Gemson

Research Analyst Eric Smith Circulation Manager Tanaji

Copyright Š 2020 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. The Knowledge Review is powered by Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd.

COVER STORY

OBERSEE BILINGUAL SCHOOL Taking Your Child On A Remarkable Learning Voyage

Our ultimate goal is to develop our own unique agile curriculum that caters not only for tomorrow but also prepares our students for the challenges they will face

A

s the world becomes more and more complex students need to be ready to meet its challenges. Students need to be creative and be involved in shaping their education and schools need to move away from compliance and conformity. Information can be accessed in an instance. Making sense of that information, sharing it and using it to make connections and create something new is what schools must now prepare their students for.

Schools must provide an education that helps children understand the world around them, foster curiosity and become resilient and independent learners.

Whilst every school has their own individual approach to this we at The Knowledge Review, in our endeavour to find The 10 Best Schools in Switzerland for 2020, have come across a few schools that have left no stones unturned when it comes to preparing students for the challenges they will undoubtedly face.

Schools such as the Obersee Bilingual School (OBS), have always striven for their students to be co-authors of their education and now, more than ever, believe that they need to undergo transition from knowledge acquisition to information acquisition and transforming that information into action.

OBS was founded 15 years ago when a mother realised that there wasn’t a school that offered a truly bilingual education in the area. OBS in its current form, has really taken off in the last five years through the creation and continuous development of a community that puts the needs of its students at the forefront.

Not only their current needs, but also their future needs.

The school endeavours for its students to approach the world of tomorrow with joy and enthusiasm and to see it as a place of endless opportunities. OBS believes that its students will design their own future, as well as that of the school’s, and therefore its mission is to provide them with an outstanding, innovative education and a global awareness that prepares them to master the challenges of an exciting, yet rapidly changing and unknown future.

OBS aims is to create an environment that offers personal learning, where mistakes are seen as part of the learning process and where the focus is on bringing out the best in students so that they are ready to contribute to the society, now and in the future.

Within a nurturing and supportive environment OBS fosters a community built on respect, kindness and mutual encouragement and places the utmost value on the school to home partnership. Key to its offering is guiding their students as they further develop their creative thinking, problem-solving, inquiry, persuasive and design thinking skills whilst pursuing their passions. Fostering a growth mindset, self-assessment and learning how to learn and taking responsibility for one’s own learning are key to education at OBS. OBS believes that it is also important to note the increase in low self-esteem, anxiety and depression in the youth of today, creating an even greater need for social responsibility and an education focused just as much on the social and emotional needs of its students.

The Guiding Light Obersee Bilingual School is owned by Bold Brains AG, a Swiss EdTech company

founded by Mr Uwe Feuersenger, a visionary with a passion for education. He brings with him a wealth of local and international knowledge, a network from academia, research, film, media and industry and leads a team of highly skilled teachers and engineers. His vision is to always anticipate the future and be several steps ahead.

Uwe is known for his critical views of the current approach of governing bodies towards digitalization in education. He believes that many current education systems are still oriented towards the past, characterised by passive information and knowledge acquisition and reproduction.

“Digitalization, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality open up new opportunities for us to make learning realistic, entertaining and interesting. For the benefit of our children, we must be open to these new learning aids and if a school plans to use them, ensure that the teachers are trained and supported in their implementation.”

Inspired by Prof. Dr. John Seely Brown, Uwe’s vision is to combine the physical space (OBS’s new campus), the social space (the school community) and technology to enhance collaborative learning. While the construction of the new state-of-the-art campus is well underway, Uwe’s development team at Bold Brains is working on a revolutionary learning platform.

Preparing Tomorrow’s Global Citizens OBS believes that learning isn’t always easy but that it should be fun and authentic. Its students follow a personal path which remains flexible until they start the pre-IB or Matura programme of study. Units of study, be they cross-curricula or subject specific, centre around a “Big Idea” and are very much based on developing enquiring young minds and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.

The bilingual curriculum starts in Early Years and goes all the way through to the IB and Matura. The school’s timetables are flexible, allowing children to get into a flow, and teachers to really get to know each individual, academically and emotionally.

Students at OBS experience a truly bilingual education taught by mother tongue teachers. In the primary they are taught in English one week and German the next whilst in upper school the students experience all

subjects in both languages as they progress through the school.

The student life programme is progressive throughout the school and provides opportunities for both personal and social development by enabling the students to participate and grow their skills in areas such as esports, karate, Chinese, OBS-TV and music and the arts.

Technology plays an important part in the life of an OBS student, be it to encourage participation, to deliver learning experiences in a fun way through gamification, to provide virtual experiences, to support in the acquisition of life skills, or to provide individual learning opportunities with instant feedback.

Community service is a central part of school life, enabling students to acquire life skills and become caring citizens with a developing awareness of social differences and environmental issues.

OBS students engage deeply, enjoy learning and discover their passions. Some of the school’s students compete in national sports teams or are gifted musicians. Due to the flexibility of the OBS’s offering and online access to lesson plans and resources, students are able to pursue their talents without missing out on valuable learning.

Benchmarking Modern Education Obersee Bilingual School focuses on providing a holistic, authentic and integrated educational experience that truly engages its students. The school offers a future orientated curriculum which is constantly evolving due to the changing reality. The list of OBS' offering includes: Languages, media and drama Mathematics The arts A blend of more traditional and of modern approaches to design and technology Ÿ The humanities Ÿ The sciences, with an evolving focus on Oceanography and Space Ÿ A modern sports curriculum that raises interest for traditional and new disciplines, promotes well-being of mind and body and that fosters healthy competition to build character and good sportsmanship through experiencing victory and defeat Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

The 10 Best

Schools in

Switzerland For 2020

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

T R

Coding and applied Physics and Robotics Mindfulness Traffic School An E-Sports Team that supports concentration and observation skills teamwork etc.

The school’s “Focus Year” in grade 10 provides students with an opportunity to discover new passions, explore an excisting passion, extend their learning in an area of interest or join the workforce by undertaking an internship. Partnerships with universities not only broaden the school’s resources but also allow it to adapt to the latest research and share best practice beyond the confines of the school campus. The school’s ultimate goal is to develop its own unique agile curriculum that caters not only for tomorrow but also prepares its students for the challenges they will face.

OBS was one of the first Schools in Switzerland to introduce: Lego Education, which provides opportunities to combine art and engineering. Ÿ Aikido as a mandatory part of the curriculum Ÿ OBSession the latest innovation at OBS, the first School e-Sports Team in Switzerland Ÿ

OBS also offers its students the opportunity to attend Model United Nations, the World Robotics Olympiad, the SGIS Student Leadership Conference and the Youth Forum Switzerland to name a few.

A Feeling of Belonging OBS welcomes all students it is in a position to support, challenge and help realise their true potential. “We embrace cultural diversity and see our differences as learning opportunities,” says Uwe. School and social events at OBS celebrate both local traditions as well as traditions from the students' home countries.

“Our explorations look to our host country as well as our home countries. We see ourselves as connected to the global community and as a result we assume a sense of responsibility to all we have a chance to impact however small,” he adds.

At OBS, learning is shared with peers and across grades and departments. We have set up buddy classes and our Kindness Tree and Wall of Fame are two examples of how we celebrate each other’s successes.

The school has an active student council as well as regular class council meetings. It believes that parents play an important role in helping build the community, whether they are supporting the learning or ensuring there are plenty of social and community events throughout the year.

Finding learning activities that enable students to make emotional connections and where mistakes are seen as part of the learning process help ignite student minds.

Visitors (be it people from education, the business world, the social sector or the entertainment sector) help add to the authenticity of what OBS does.

Field trips and camps not only take learning outside the classroom but also strengthen established friendships and help develop new friendships. Through these activities, OBS students have been known to overcome their fears and discover hidden passions. Sports Day and the Swiss Clean up Day are examples of whole school events that encourage the feeling of belonging to a community.

Striving for Excellence and Preparing for Endless Opportunities

Obersee Bilingual School is passionate about offering an authentic, relevant and world-focused curriculum and supporting its students so that they feel confident to express themselves in both German and English.

The school continuously challenges its methods and strategies to ensure that its learning environment cultivates imagination, critical thinking and a different perspective, whilst allowing time for play/time to delve into one’s own interests. Moreover, OBS believes that taking time to discuss world news and the impact of media support an engaging learning environment.

OBS, a young, innovative school saw its first class graduate last year. One of its students achieved the best Matura result in the German speaking part of Switzerland. Other Alumni have gone ahead to study at the prestigious ETH in Zurich and UK and Canadian Universities. Several of OBS' Alumni have received scholarships and are pursuing their sporting talents whilst continuing their studies, be it Latin dance (Swiss champion), rowing, ice-hockey or golf.

Graduating from OBS gives one the opportunity to study at Universities world-wide or to embark on an apprenticeship which can lead to a job or further studies. Students that attend OBS’s Primary and US will be prepared for the careers of the future. T R

Read it First SUBSCRIBE TO SUCCESS

www.theknowledgereview.com

Follow Us :

Check should be drawn in favor of INSIGHTS SUCCESS MEDIA TECH LLC

CORPORATE OFFICE The Knowledge Review 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017,United States Contact No.: (614)-602-1754; (614)-472-4768 Email: info@theknowledgereview.com For Subscription: Visit www.theknowledgereview.com

COLLEGE CHAMPITTET

Guiding Students towards Zeniths of Excellence

W

e can all agree that education is vital for us to prosper in this world. It is what molds us in responsible individuals and forges a path for us to our dream destinations. However, education without proper guidance is detrimental. Without tutors who are passionate about teaching, about the welfare of their students. These people who desire to see their pupils attain the zeniths of success, education that society has wouldn’t have prevail.

Education without teachers is incomprehensible.

Without them, even the abundant resources and tools at individual disposal are ineffective. The Chinese proverb, ‘a load of books does not equal one good teacher’ perfectly illustrates their existence and the huge role they play in building our personal and professional lives. Hence, we at the Knowledge Review while seeking ‘Switzerland’s 10 Most Valuable Schools for 2019’ have found institutions where teachers not only teach their students to be prepared for their professional journey but also nurture them with values that developed them into responsible citizens of the world.

One such institution that we are enthralled to unveil to you is College Champittet, one of the esteemed schools of Nord Anglia Education (NAE) family of schools. College Champittet, with its highly experienced and dedicated staff offers students education based on values and a tradition of academic excellence.

The school not only prepares the impactful leaders of tomorrow, who are confident in their academic abilities but also endows them with social skills such as a sense of collaboration, empathy, constructive leadership, and curiosity about the world.

How it all Began College Champittet a private school in the vicinity of Lausanne, was founded in 1903 by a group of

Dominican Fathers from France. Their stewardship of the private school lasted nearly 50 years.

In 1960, College Champittet became a Swiss private school welcoming over 600 students, including several boarding students. Increased demand for places encouraged the school to open another school building.

By the year 1984, the school opened its doors to girls for the first time. A second school was then inaugurated in Nyon in 2004, 20 km from Geneva. Now the school has a capacity of enrolling 800 students.

Distinct Courses At College Champittet Pully, the school offers its secondary school students a choice of three diploma programs for high school. These include: the Swiss Maturite, the French Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma). Each of the diploma programs is internationally renowned and recognized by top universities around the world.

For the International students who are French beginners, the school offers them an option to integrate the FLE (French Foreign Language ) program into their course of study. Also for IB students who may need support in English can benefit from EAL support (English as an Additional Language). Along with these, College Champittet has embraced the learning of 21stcentury technology, providing primary and secondary classes with iPads as part of a mobile classroom initiative in partnership with the tech company Apple.

Being a part of a global network (NAE), the school’s teachers benefit from the support of this network of world-leading teaching professionals and education experts. With them, its staff collaborate to ensure that the highest levels of education are provided for the children.

Extracurricular Activities Above and beyond teaching, and in collaboration with parents, College Champittet aims to contribute to the

18 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 19

Testimonials

The 10 Best

Schools in

Switzerland For 2020

T R

holistic education of the young minds by academic performance and physical and artistic balance along with spiritual and philosophical reflection. One such way the school strives to achieve this desire is by introducing extracurricular activities.

College Champittet offers an extensive range of sports clubs mainly due to a close connection with the Olympic Games. It also shares many values with the Olympic Movement and draws this connection to raise awareness of Olympism and its respective values among its students.

Along with sports, the school conducts cultural activities such as singing and theatre, and language classes.

Furthermore, outings and trips provide an excellent addition to the curriculum and extra-curricular activities.

College Champittet also reaps the benefits of being a part of the NAE family. Its students have access to the Global Campus, connecting them to students around the world and giving them the opportunity to take part in a variety of exceptional experiences whether in school, online or through international expeditions and trips.

College Champittet’s quality education is not only liked but also embraced and admired by students and their parents. One such testimony of Parents of Adriana and Marc is the perfect exemplification.

“Now that our children are leaving the school, I would like to use this opportunity to express our warmest appreciation to Champittet and all the teachers.

Adriana and Marc spent more than 7 years under the umbrella of Champittet. I must say that these were years full of joy and happiness for them. Champittet had offered them a lot: wonderful facilities, dedicated staff, interesting extracurricular programs, good course selection, and entertaining school tours. They met wonderful friends and we hope that these friendships will continue.

We would like to thank the school and the teachers for all the knowledge they passed to our children, for the attention and the encouragement, and for the good care they gave them all these years. Thanks to them our children became more confident, they have grown up emotionally as well as academically.

Thanks again for your patience and understanding, and most of all, your ability to listen to them and value their thoughts and feelings.

We have always felt more than satisfied with the education our children received at Champittet, but more than that we will remain ever thankful to the teachers who helped our children become wellrounded young adults.”

A Holistic Approach The educational vision at College Champittet is rooted in Christian values.

It aims to ensure that each student can develop to the fullest in this spirit on a human and a spiritual level.

The school has a Catholic Chaplain who enables those students who wish to deepen their faith and receive the sacraments of Christian life in the context of the college. The various activities available related to this are the catechism, mass preparation for the sacraments and spiritual retreats. T R

20 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

THE LEADING LIGHT Since Spring 2015, the school is being successfully headed by none other than College Champittet alumnus, Philip de Korodi, the Managing Director.

He is conscious of both academic exigences and the market needs and is giving a fresh start to the school. Under his leadership, the students are able to reach the best results at the exams, grow up to be the best way as individuals and obtain conďŹ dence in their capacity to improve the world.

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 21

SWITZERLAND WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITIES IN SCENIC SURROUNDINGS

22 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 23

M

any students choose to study abroad but are unsure which destinations are a good choice for them. In this article, we will look at how attractive it is to international students. Quality of education is the key factor for most students. If you are planning to study abroad, it is important to overview the developments in education.

Breath-taking Alpine mountain ranges surrounded by crystal-clear bodies of water such as Lake Geneva. Switzerland Universities is home to the world’s top 100 ranked universities.

Switzerland is home to one of Europe’s most prestigious higher education systems.

Swiss Universities are heavily subsidized by the government, which means tuition fees are lower when compared to other nations. The country’s world class universities attract countless students looking for quality higher education. The following universities are all ranked in the world’s top 100: Situated in the heart of Europe, ETH Zurich is the highest-ranked university and is the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. With some 25,000 students, it is the largest institution of higher education in the country. It is

considered the best university in Switzerland.

Incorporated in 1853 Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) specializes in technology. It is placed 17th in the world, with a dynamic environment cantered on its three missions of teaching, research, and technology transfer. It works together with an extensive network of partners bringing real impact to society.

With around 28,000 students, the University of Zurich (UZH) is Switzerland’s largest university. It has seven faculties with 100 different subject areas. It offers a wide variety of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs. To date, 12 scholars of UZH have been conferred with Nobel Prize.

To pursue the acquisition of fundamental knowledge through the research University of Geneva supports the related applied research. It is involved in most cutting-edge sectors and been active in multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research for several years.

institutes, it has more than 190 research units working every day on research projects of national or international scope. Founded in 1460, the University of Basel has an international reputation for outstanding achievements in research and teaching.

It has seven faculties with a wide spectrum of academic disciplines. The University of Basel pays attention to aspects of sustainability, equal opportunity, and knowledge transfer.

The University of Bern creates the best possible teaching, learning, and research environment for students, researchers, and teaching staff from Switzerland and abroad. It attains achievement in areas of research and promotes knowledge and innovation transfer.

There is no doubt that Switzerland holds world-class universities attracting students around the globe looking for higher education. However, it is also one of the most expensive countries in Europe. With its strong presence in the international ranking, it offers a stronger and competitive destination to pursue education. T R

With state-of-the-art technology, laboratories the latest technologies, the University of Lausanne brings together a charter of values. Within the

24 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

- by Sourabh More

26 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ZURICH NORTH (ISZN) Nurturing Lifelong Learners

S

ituated in one of the world’s most livable cities, the International School Zurich North (ISZN) provides an exceptional education to children of the international community by following the globally renowned PYP, IGCSE and IA-Level Programs of study.

The school was founded two decades ago in 1999 and is well established as a centre of international schooling in Zurich. In summer 2019, ISZN joined the global school network of Cognita and is now part of more than 70 schools worldwide in the Cognita family.

Multiculturalism and Diversity at School As an International School, ISZN fosters a global way of thinking amongst students of all ages. It emphasizes values such as open-mindedness, collaboration and reflectiveness.

The school roll consists of pupils from more than 20 different nations, with a similarly multinational staff body.

ISZN teaches in English and offers EAL lessons to those that require further support, whilst all pupils also study German from Grade 1 onwards and French from Grade 6.

ISZN embraces and celebrates diversity and aims to “equip our students with a well-founded understanding of other people, nations and cultures.”

A Highlight of Curriculum It offers the IB PYP curriculum in Primary school for students aged 3 to 11 years. The PYP is an international program designed to foster the development of the whole student encompassing social, physical emotional and cultural needs as well as academic welfare. The school offers its own tailored curriculum for grades 6-8 and the Cambridge IGSCE and A-Levels from grade 9. Grades 11 and 12 follow the prestigious International Advanced Level program of study which is internationally recognized as an outstanding foundation for tertiary studies.

Highly Effective Leaders with Extensive Experience Jonathan Taylor is the Principal of the International School Zurich North. He arrived in Switzerland after five years as Head of Cognita’s North Bridge House School in Canonbury, London. Prior to taking up his post at North Bridge House in 2014, Jonathan was the inaugural Head of one of Dulwich College’s five schools in China, and also has extensive experience in the UK state sector. Jonathan is a regular speaker at educational conferences and media contributor on issues relating to schooling and teenage behavior. He holds a BA degree in Politics and History as well as a Masters qualification in Educational Leadership.

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 27

The 10 Best

Schools in

Switzerland For 2020

T R

Sandra Price is the Head of Secondary School at the International School Zurich North. With nearly twenty years’ experience as a high school teacher, she brings a wealth of experience as both an educator and a leader. She taught English Literature and History in both South Africa and Hong Kong before moving to Switzerland. She believes that learning should be celebrated and enjoyed, expectations should be set high, and that students should be supported as they strive to attain excellence in all aspects of their lives.

Morning Move The school aims to educate children in interculturality, using dance as a resource inside the classroom at all stages of primary education. It has designed an intervention called the Morning Move Programme. The Morning Move Programme is a teaching proposition which encompasses dance, customs, geography and languages, in which children learn to live together and to get to know each other through their bodies, generating personal well-being and promoting their intercultural education. T R

Rebecca Nolan is the Head of Primary School at the International School Zurich North. She completed postgraduate studies in Early Childhood Education and Advanced Educational Practice. Before joining ISZN, Rebecca worked at the prestigious Kings’ School in Dubai.

She has extensive knowledge in the field of child development and curriculum adaptation.

Extracurricular Activities ISZN believes in the holistic development of students and creates future global citizens who are not only well educated but also well-rounded.

Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) The CCAs consist of various after school clubs, sports and other activities that are organised by staff members throughout the year. They are planned to complement and extend the students’ learning by giving them opportunities to work with a variety of teachers, different social and age groups and to do so in diverse settings. Some examples of recently offered CCAs are Upcycling, Ballet, Calligraphy, Choir, Braintastics, Musical or Drama.

School Trips A field trip is one of the best tools that can be used to provide hands-on learning to every student. The school regularly go on field trips that promote student independence and collaboration. It arranges various trips to museums, zoos, exhibitions, cultural events, businesses, parks, ski resorts, ice skating rinks, farms, medieval castles or partner schools. International residential camps are organised annually for secondary students. Recent residential destinations include Malta, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam and Verbier.

28 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

Words of Trust “ISZN is a small school and that’s what makes it so special. As I switched school systems and adjusted to the A level system, the small class sizes helped me to integrate more easily whilst also maintaining strong relationships with my teachers. Since it’s a smaller school compared to other international ones, teachers here are much more flexible in terms of helping each student out individually and giving us the extra support needed to pass the exams.

I really enjoyed my two years at ISZN (it wasn’t all work, we still had a lot of fun with Halloween dance, Prom, etc) and I am thankful for the opportunity to have attended there!”

- Sarah Baader, Graduated in 2017.

“AS and A levels were very helpful because I was able to skip an entire year of Engineering school because I had already studied the material at ISZN. It was also excellent preparation for university.”

- Ishika Paul, Graduated in 2016.

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 29

Book your private tour now.

We are looking forward to meeting you.

(0) 44 830 70 00 info@iszn.ch www.iszn.ch

32 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

LEYSIN AMERICAN SCHOOL Raising a New Generation of Global Citizens

I

n this ever-changing world, responsible citizenship is more important than ever. This world needs people who have an awareness that expands beyond their own microsystem and can make a difference not only in their community, but on a global scale. We need individuals who raise their voice when it comes to important social, economic, and environmental issues.

To ensure a globally bright future, we need to mould our next generation and instill within them values that will allow them to be independent, curious, and innovative leaders. Schools that consider it an honour to play a role in developing such individuals are crucial to this goal. Leysin American School (LAS) is one such institution that embodies the above attributes and has been helping to raise the next generation of world leaders.

History Worth Remembering LAS is a renowned school with an interesting story.

Seventy years ago, in 1949, Sigrid and Fred Ott pursued their dream of starting a summer camp in Switzerland, resulting in the creation of the International Ranger Camps. The success of their summer camps began to feed a desire to take on a new challenge: opening an international boarding school.

Nearly a decade later, the Otts’ vision became reality.

LAS was founded in 1961, serving as a school where kids from around the world could come together, gain a global perspective, and receive a world-class education.

Since its founding, LAS has grown to host 300 students in its state-of-the-art facilities, including its Magic Mountain Athletic Centre, 2 libraries, 2 campuses, 5 dormitories, and more.

by its mission statement of “developing innovative, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world.”

These values were established back in 1949 upon the founding of the International Ranger Camps, with the intention of making the world a more open, friendly, and tolerant place in the wake of the Second World War. LAS instills in its students a global perspective and international understanding. One of their alumni said it best: “Being part of a student body as diverse as LAS’s definitely makes learning about the things you don’t know a priority, rather than arguing with others about why your worldview, inherently based on incomplete information, is the correct one.” Living, learning, and playing alongside peers from every corner of the globe helps LAS students expand their horizons, explore new cultures, and gain a more complete view of global, social, and political dynamics.

LAS believes in helping students follow the paths curiosity leads them down. From projects to field trips to cultural travel, their students understand that there is always more to learn. Furthermore, the school provides their students with the tools and resources they need to investigate topics that pique their interest.

LAS’s location in the Alps has been advantageous. It helps them communicate the value of environmentalism to their students. Their young scholars are always in touch with the mountains, whether that is through skiing, hiking, gardening, or recording environmental data. Many of the school’s staff are long-time inhabitants of Leysin who have been able to witness first-hand the effects of climate change in the Alps. They stress the consequences of these changes to their students, and in doing so they raise a new generation of environmental caretakers.

A New Generation of Leaders LAS’s approach to education has always been guided

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 33

The 10 Best

Schools in

Switzerland For 2020

T R

The Driving Force To fulfil the needs of these progressive times, leaders who can think outside the box are vital. These individuals are driven to make a difference not for recognition but for the advancement of the educational sphere.

Sabina Schwedtmann-Lynch, Dean of LAS, is one such inventive leader who has brought a number of valuable changes that played a key role in LAS’s success. Most recently, Dean Schwedtmann-Lynch has implemented the LAS Continuum of Education. The Continuum treats every aspect of education, from grade 7 to 12, as part of a continuous pathway contributing to the development of students.

Additionally, she helped to introduce a number of new programs including LAS edge® and ALPS (Accelerated Learning Program in Switzerland).

Notable Programs Much of LAS’s success is due to the extensive array of programs they offer that allow students to enhance and personalize the education they receive.

The school offers the IB Programme, ALPS, and LAS edge®—a program where students can pursue one of four concentrations: innovation, entrepreneurship, alpinism, or the arts. ® The LAS edge curriculum has been designed like a university degree, allowing students to select and pursue subjects that keenly interest them, while still meeting all the standard academic requirements for their grade level.

ALPS, another innovative program by LAS, offers students a blended discipline that plays to their strengths and needs. In the words of Dean Schwedtmann-Lynch, ALPS is a program that would let, “a student who excels in mathematics or the sciences

[for example] . . . be placed in a class well above their traditional grade level, meaning that they can access classes with more challenging content to help drive forward their learning, abilities, and natural talents.”

Alongside these, LAS immerses its students in extracurricular activities.

They provide their young scholars with over 40 different activities and teams to choose from, with options to appeal to every interest including student council, theatre, climbing, dance, horseback riding, soccer, choir, Model United Nations, coding, environmental club, and more.

Top Facilities for Top Students LAS ceaselessly strives to improve, expand, and develop their facilities, and to equip their students with access to the latest technology and resources.

Some of their latest projects have included the opening of a new teaching kitchen and the renovation of their gym (the Magic Mountain Athletic Centre), which is now complete with a climbing wall, running track, fully-equipped gym, dance room, classrooms, and much more. Looking to the future, LAS is planning to develop its dormitories and Middle School facilities.

Pushing the Boundaries of Education Switzerland is one of the world’s most renowned locations for prestigious boarding schools. By acting as a leading force in the Swiss educational landscape, LAS continually challenges and learns from other boarding schools. Ultimately this dialogue allows LAS to push the boundaries of education, discover strategies to enhance their students’ learning, and develop new means for their graduates to reach further and climb higher. T R

34 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

TESTIMONIALS Here is what a few of LAS alumni had to say about the value of the education they received: “Only looking back now do I truly comprehend the significance of what I witnessed and was a part of at LAS. I never would have been able to experience many of these things at a school in the United States.”

“LAS prepared me for a life of working with diverse and international people. The acceptance I learned while in Leysin is invaluable. It is also why I’ve been back to work at LAS as a summer teacher for the past 3 years. Leysin will always be home to me.”

“The friendships I made at LAS are now almost half a century old.

Many of us are still in touch, and in some cases are in business together. At a recent reunion, I think we all realized once again that we weren’t just friends, we were family.”

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 35

INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON EDUCATION I

n this era of time and space compressions, social connections are empowered by an explosion of technological advancements that mandate reframing our views of technology in the classroom. Technological advancements enlightened and conquered. It broadened possibilities and accelerated achievements. Major technological innovations are evident in various aspects of our lives. Today, voice-controlled assistants help in setting clocks and adjusting home thermostats, smartphone applications allow sharing images across the globe in an instant, and artificial Intelligence guide driving, predict purchasing habits, and provide real-time traffic updates. Big data analytics is fundamentally shaping our lives. Smart cities use information and communication technologies to improve efficiency of operations and services.

This same technology is altering teaching as we know it, marking a paradigm shift and ushering a new era in education. Educators are already implementing Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) in classrooms to achieve learning outcomes.

Integrating technology in teaching enrich learning experience by supporting teachers and providing students with 21st century skills.

While traditional teaching methods necessitate the instructor to occupy center stage with little or no student

interaction, modern teaching methodologies call for greater student engagement. Integrating technology into our classrooms promote active learning, collaboration, autonomy and life-long skills.

Active learning, a technique that engages students in the learning process, promotes student classroom participation and involvement. Technology made this involvement conceivable. Simulation software such as virtual reality and 3D models allow students to visually observe the object of study, interact with processes, components, and analyze the fundamentals of the investigated object.

Developing intercultural competence is crucial in the 21st century. It is described as the active pursuit to understand and accept others through interaction and communication especially outside one’s own environment. Through virtual communities, students create products, communicate, and teach each other anywhere around the world. This provides heightened awareness, understanding and tolerance of diverse views.

Technology enables increased collaboration in the classroom. Collaboration constitutes effective communication among students resulting in problem solving skills crucial in the professional world. Flipped classrooms requires interactive learning and collective

36 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

Edu Talk work. In flipped classrooms, the content is learned outside the class, while classroom time is allocated for students working together on assignments.

Technological pedagogy in the classroom aids in student autonomy. Students independently progress in mastering concepts. Customized curriculum accommodates students’ learning styles and needs. Interactive books and testing platforms adapt to students’ level and offer personalized activities and assessments.

While education should continue to prepare students for future careers, this generation grew up using tablets and smart phones. Employing technology in the classroom fosters digital literacy and digital citizenship skills such as responsibility, time management, confidence and kindness.

Academic institutions should facilitate the integration of technology in the classroom to empower faculty and teaching staff. It is important to offer pedagogical workshops and training in technological pedagogical knowledge. This knowledge focuses on ways to enhance teaching and learning through technology. It includes pedagogical feasibility of technological tools related to specific discipline. Another approach is to introduce learning management systems that allow faculty to integrate e-learning into the curriculum.

Traditional teaching and learning methodology are inevitably evolving with the influx of technology in our classroom nowadays. Educators continue to develop products that enhance students learning. Data generated from apps and programs provide insight into student progress and offer specific personalized recommendations to enhance student performance. The teacher becomes a guide and coach steering students through the learning process while providing support at the appropriate time.

Education today extends beyond bricks and mortar.

Technology offers exciting opportunity for life-long learning, a keystone of a progressive society. It empowers individuals to acquire new skills thus building capacity and transforming knowledge into outcomes.

Educational institutions are regarding technology an integral component of teaching and learning. Faculty are encouraged to view this as a tool to customize knowledge transfer and address various student needs.

This empowers students and facilitates their success.

Nadia Awaida Associate Professor

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nadia Awaida is the Associate Professor of education and coordinator of the teaching diploma programme. She earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida. Her research focuses on intercultural competence, diversity, and classroom implications. She is passionate about promoting 21st century skills in education and considers intercultural awareness to be a governing force in our global time. She has over 12 years of teaching experience in the United States and tshe MENA region.

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 37

ASTUTE THOUGHTS

Why and how women can be the face of tomorrow’s business leaders

About the Author Dr. Terri Howe is the Director of Career Services and Adjunct Professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and has been a practicing Career Counselor for nearly two decades. She has a passion and interest in researching career options for marginalized or otherwise career challenged populations such as women, military veterans and people with disabilities.

40 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

T

he future face of business is a female one.

According to United Nations Women, when more women work, economies grow and an increase in a country’s female labor force will equal faster economic growth. Women have demonstrated the qualities of good leadership in whatever work setting or industry in which they found themselves long before acceptance as business leaders. While the glass ceiling is still firmly in place in many ways, there are gleaming examples of women who possess these qualities and shine as models of how female leaders will help shape the face of tomorrow’s business world.

Business analysts have made many lists of qualities and characteristics over the years, attempting to understand what the profile of the future successful leader will look like. Qualities such as having a vision, integrity, and being collaborative have made these lists countless times and are considered critical to the future success of business leaders.

In addition to these qualities, choice of leadership style, transformational or transactional, is known to impact a company’s performance and consequently should be considered when trying to determine how the future of business will appear.

It is a commonly held belief that vision is shaped from the top of an organization and permeates the entire company, depending on the strength of the leader’s belief in the vision. Tomorrow’s leaders will need to drive the company towards this vision and at the same time, be prepared to alter the vision to keep pace with consumer demands.

Because women are historically good readers and quick learners, they possess the ability to stay abreast of changes that can alter a company’s trajectory and consequently the vision. A great example of this is Chairman and CEO of General Motors (GM) Mary Barra’s vision to transform GM’s traditional offerings to keep pace with the future. In 2016, Barra took on electric car company, Tesla, by launching the Chevrolet Bolt EV, with a battery that outlasts Tesla cars. This was a risky, but calculated move that has reshaped the vision of GM and set the tone for future production.

In order to steer a company towards a vision, a tomorrow’s great business leader must lead with integrity. This involves being an ideal role model when others are watching and doing the right thing even when no one is looking. Leading with integrity will allow tomorrow’s leaders to avoid pitfalls, such as the lack of transparency that have brought large corporations down. Women leaders such as Stephanie Buscemi, COO for the cloud tech company Salesforce, have been “walking the walk” and leading by example in a male-

dominated industry. Knowing that her every move is being watched, Buscemi intentionally seeks out challenging opportunities in cloud computing to resolve so she can exemplify integrity in action.

Along with vision and integrity, future leaders will drive business successfully forward by incorporating collaboration into the process. Working together to achieve a common goal is a time-honored practice that women in many industries have mastered to achieve exponentially better results versus the attempt to “go it alone.” Women like to share ideas and come up with solutions that are effective and benefit everyone involved. Collective organizations, such as SheWorx, encourage female entrepreneurs to work together on the same goals and propel their businesses forward, making much greater gains than those who attempt sole enterprises and have no outside support. Participants in these collective endeavors have found success across the globe with co-founders Yin Li and Lisa Wang setting up programs in New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore and Tel Aviv.

Besides these qualities, another factor that will continue to shape the face of business is a leader’s style – whether it is transactional or transformational. Transactional style of leadership employs some sort of system of reward and punishment or discipline. In this type of work environment, employees are motivated to perform in order to attain a reward (e.g. bonus pay or additional time off) or avoid negative consequences (e.g. denying a time off request) associated with not meeting one’s work goals. A leader utilizing a transformational style motivates workers by encouraging and inspiring employees. Transformational leaders tend to model exceptional behavior and work to help the employees understand and embrace the company’s vision. Women leaders gravitate to the transformational style because they tend to be relationship-oriented. Unlike men, women are more likely to form strong interpersonal connections with subordinates that encourage higher levels of job performance.

While there are many factors that will come into play to shape the face of tomorrow’s business leader, considering these qualities and styles can provide perspective on how future business leaders could look. And, adding the additional layer of how women embody these qualities and styles aids in bringing the picture into focus. There is no doubt that women who tend to possess high integrity, create and share vision in a collaborative, transformational way will contribute to the furtherance of good business practice. T R

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 41

42 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

THE BRITISH SCHOOL Developing a Strong Foundation for Life

S

witzerland, one of the pristine countries in the world has always been adored for its beauty. It’s breathtaking alpine mountain ranges and serene lakes have mesmerized tourists from all over the globe. The nation’s surreal landscape also provides an environment that plays a vital role in comprehensive nourishment of young learners.

The country’s quality of education has been renowned for years. It attracts expats who seek a world-class education for their children. Schools across Switzerland have been known for the development of holistic education. However, we are of the opinion that very few can match the distinctive hallmark set by The British School of Bern.

The British School is known for its conducive ambiance where each of its pupils feels at home.

Built with Trust A stone’s throw away from Bern, the capital of Switzerland, The British School is nestled in the small picturesque village of Rüfenacht. It is located in a community-owned building, and as a result, has a strong link with the local community.

teacher-student ratio that ensures a high degree of personalized attention. Its teachers are qualified and hold university degrees and certificates from prestigious institutions. The School’s teachers use continuous assessment which is imperative in monitoring each child’s progress. These faculties encourage pupils to be friendly, honest, responsible and caring. They also foster them to take pride in themselves, their classmates, their parents, and their teachers.

The British School also puts a great emphasis on its teachers’ learning. It believes its staff should be aware of the scenarios happening in the educational sphere. Hence, the school encourages them to attend ECIS conferences, SGIS meetings, workshops, in-service training courses, videos, and educational publications. With these, the Head Teacher and staff keep themselves updated with educational methods and materials.

Instilling Virtues Across age groups, cultures and languages, The British School dedicates itself to educate the mind, body and wellbeing of each child. The school also emphasizes self-worth and respect and encourages each of its pupils to appreciate themselves and others.

The community building is quaint and charming, with large bright classrooms best suited for the teaching environment.

Students have consistent access to laptops/iPads within the classrooms and these are used as a tool for learning through integration across the curriculum. It also has separate playgrounds for its lower school and upper school as part of the students’ physical development.

The school stresses the acceptance of differences and insists on cooperation and compassion for others. Its core-values: Responsibility, Respect, Resilience, Empathy, and Listening and Communicating guide its students through daily school life.

Guiding the Young Ones

Striving to Remain the ‘Same’

The British School Bern is recognized as a Primary school, offering exemplary education for Preschool (age 3) through Year 6 (age 11) to children of all nationalities. It follows the British curriculum with an acute awareness of the international culture of its school.

The school aims to optimizes its wealth of resources to provide the highest quality of education while maintaining small classes and provide students with the individual attention. In this way, it can continue to nurture and support its students in all their endeavors.

Alongside the British curriculum, the school maintains a

The school will continue to offer a high-quality program to

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 43

The 10 Best

Schools in

Switzerland For 2020

T R

The Accomplished Trinity The British School was founded in 1988 in a small apartment. At that time, it was established to educate expats living in the Bern area. The school grew progressively and eventually moved to Gümligen to a small villa.

In 2017, the school relocated to Rüfenacht and was handed to three experienced teachers who admire and support the philosophy of a multicultural school. These individuals are, Mrs. Aisha Osman, Mrs. Michelle Flieler and Mrs. Sybil Erdmann who serve the British School with their utmost passion and sincerity. Since gaining ownership, the school has continued to flourish and also nurtures the minds of students coming from over 25 nationalities.

students of all nationalities. It strives to develop a strong foundation for all of its pupils which will guide them not just through school but throughout their life journey.

How Parents Love the School “The British School, Bern is very unique in that it values social skills, respect for others and empathy alongside academic achievement. Our children have benefited from what we feel is a ‘real’ education; that is they have become rounded children which is rare in this age of testing and league tables. Thank you so much for all your hard work.”

“My daughter has made an amazing amount of progress while at The British School and I attribute much of her success to you and the wonderful teachers at your school.

Thank you for the extra time and energy you have given to her, for your kindness and patience, for seeing and guiding her in her entirety and not defining her based on academic success. She couldn’t be better prepared to make her way in the Swiss school system and I will always be grateful to you for that.”

44 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

“Words cannot express how grateful we are to The British School. We have had a wonderful experience here. We have no regrets in choosing The British School. This has been the perfect place for our daughter to grow and to learn. You have a unique place that is truly special. Thank you for taking my daughter in and giving her a place where she felt loved.”

“We would like to say thank you to you and your staff for the wonderful education you have given our children. The British School of Bern is very unique in that it values social skills, respect for others and empathy alongside academic achievement. We feel our children have benefited from what we feel is a ‘real’ education; that is they have become rounded children which is rare in this age of testing and league tables. Thank you so much for all your hard work.”

To learn more about the school, visit: http://britishschool.ch/ T R

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 45

ASTUTE MIND

Dr. Brian Huf�ing Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Theology Southern Evangelical Seminary

48 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020

THE

Study

OF THE

PHILOSOPHY OF

Religion IN THE

Age

OF THE

INTERNET S

tudying reality is important. Studying ultimate reality is ultimately important. Many philosophers and theologians argue that God exists as the cause for everything else that exists. The issue of God’s existence and nature falls under the philosophy of religion, as do the issues of evil, miracles, and religious experience. These areas require years of study in metaphysics (what is real), epistemology (what is knowledge), and the history of philosophy. To be qualified to hold the title ‘Philosopher of Religion’, or any such title, one must pay his/her academic dues, such as getting a masters and doctoral degree. This certainly does not mean that one cannot study the field of philosophy of religion unless he/she is in a formal academic

program. What it does mean, is that to be considered an authority, one must possess a certain level of peer-reviewed training.

Once upon a time, the research required to attain such credentials had to be done through laborious hours in a library utilizing databases, looking through books on shelves, and acquiring sources through the mail. While much of this is still is required, the Internet has drastically changed the way research is performed. It has allowed philosophers of religion around the world to collaborate faster and with greater ease, use centralized databases, and experience lightning fast communication. It has also

OCTOBER 2020 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | 49

provided the ability to acquire sources from anywhere in the world at the touch of a button. In addition, philosophers of religion have been able to post papers (Academia.edu) and articles online, subscribe to journals online, and keep abreast of the latest scholarship via search engines or databases. Such databases are invaluable for dissertation research, such as ProQuest. Other sites allow for general research for students and teachers. One such site is the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP, plato.stanford.edu). There are well over 1000 articles written by accomplished and well-known philosophers, which are peer reviewed for the site. The SEP boasts of many ways that it is distinct from traditional journals. For example, unlike traditional journals, the SEP can continually update articles as the authors see fit. Also, they can write on a more comprehensive list of topics that are not covered in traditional journals. The SEP allows for digital crossreferencing between articles. Further, the SEP can have a broader audience than academic journals, as the latter tend to focus on specialists in the field of study. Many of the articles in the SEP are in the area of philosophy of religion, or relate to it. Such a digital database of topics is a great resource for students and teachers.

Many philosophers of religion have their own websites, blogs, etc., such as Richard Howe (richardghowe.com), William Lane Craig (reasonablefaith.com) and Edward Feser (edwardfeser.com). This is a great way to allow students and the public to access their papers, thoughts, and to some extent the ability to converse. Such sites, as well as sites like YouTube, allow for these philosophers to host debates, lectures, and interviews so that students and interested persons can avail themselves of such a treasury of information and knowledge.

With the advent and popularity of the Internet, however, there have been some negative consequences as well. As most people know, anyone can create a website, blog, or whatever online. Professors and students alike know of the convenience and potential dangerous effects of sites like Wikipedia.com. Because of such sites, schools in general have imposed a rule that no more than about 10% of students’ resources can come from the Internet. (Oftentimes this does not limit the use of sites such as the SEP, online access to academic journals, or eBooks.) The reason for such limits is because educators do not want students pulling from just any website. Many online have no formal training in the area in which they write or discuss. This is the case with printed and published books as well; however, the ability to be able to write online is much easier than having to go through a publisher. Just buy a domain name, and one can be in business. While sites can be good for specialists to help promote and study research, as well as teach the general public or students, the uninitiated can also make sites with no peer evaluation or formal training—much to the detriment of the field, and to the chagrin of legitimate philosophers of religion.

Possibly the Internet’s most profound effect for philosophers of religion is online education. No longer does one have to move to get certain degrees (especially BA and MA degrees). Now, one can study the philosophy of religion from home. The merits (convenience) and demerits (alleged lowering of educational quality) of such education are debated almost endlessly. What is not debated is that the Internet has changed and is changing education in drastic ways.

For those interested in studying the most profound questions and issues of ultimate reality, the philosophy of religion is an intriguing and fascinating area to devote one’s time and efforts. The Internet has made it much easier to explore the issues. It has also tended to blur the lines between scholarship and ignorance. If you are reading this and are interested in the philosophy of religion, be thankful for the advent of the Internet. But also beware. Choose sites and schools wisely, and enjoy one of the most important and rewarding fields of study. T R

50 | THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020