On October 7, 2016, over 83 students of theological studies at the College of Theology and Management, Church Training Center (CTMCTC) in Freetown, Sierra Leone took part in an E-Reader training for the United Methodist Church. The training, sponsored by the Discipleship Resources International (DRI) of Discipleship Ministries and facilitated by DRI Representative E Julu Swen, was the second of a series in training that the DRI has planned for the United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone. Earlier in February, DRI’s Robin Pippin trained the faculty of CTMCTC on how to use the E-Readers in teaching their students. The institution’s faculty were given 15 E-Readers.
Swen delivered a 42 E-Readers to the theological department of the institution through its President, Dr. Sidney Cooper. In his remarks, Dr. Cooper thanked the DRI team and the sponsoring agencies for the E-Reader Project and said the E-Readers will make a significant impact on the learning lives of students as it is already doing for the faculty who are now finding it easier to present their lessons. “Our distance learning professors do not have to travel with tons of books and face the challenges of planning their lessons,” Cooper said. He indicated that he is looking forward to the day when all of the theological students will have their own E-Readers in the school.
Canon Reginald Paine Spratt, an Anglican priest and E-Reader project manager at CTMCTC, said the device is a remarkable tool beyond the classroom. “I used it to prepare my sermons on a regular basis and do enjoy reading the contextual books,” Spratt said. He also said learning at the school will be easier now that the students have access to the e-readers.
Students of CTMCTC were very happy and demonstrated the willingness to make their share of the contribution that will enable them to have their own E-Readers.