The 10 Best Schools in Switzerland For 2020

T

H

E

NOWLEDGEREVIEW

Education. Innovation. Success

10

VOLUME

ISSUe

03

2020

WWW.THEKNOWLEDGEREVIEW.COM

THE 10 BEST

SCHOOLS IN

Switzerland

FOR 2020

OBERSEE

BILINGUAL

SCHOOL

Welcome

ood food, natural surroundings, being in tune with nature and

Gexercise 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 benefit

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 first 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

Influence of Technology

on Education

ASTUTE THOUGHTS

Why and how women can be the

face of tomorrow’s business leaders

ASTUTE MIND

The Study of the Philosophy of

Religion in the Age of the Internet

C O N T

18

COLLEGE CHAMPITTET

Guiding Students towards Zeniths of Excellence

26

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

ZURICH NORTH (ISZN)

Nurturing Lifelong Learners

32

LEYSIN AMERICAN SCHOOL

Raising a New Generation of Global Citizens

42

THE BRITISH SCHOOL

Developing a Strong Foundation for Life

22

ARTICLE

SWITZERLAND

World Class Universities

In Scenic Surroundings

E N T S

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OCTOBER, 2020

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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

s the world becomes more and more complex students need to be ready

Ato 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 e-

sports, 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:

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Languages, media and drama

Mathematics

The arts

A blend of more traditional and of modern

approaches to design and technology

The humanities

The sciences, with an evolving focus on

Oceanography and Space

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

The 10 Best

Schools in

Switzerland

For 2020 T R

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

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:

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Lego Education, which provides opportunities to

combine art and engineering.

Aikido as a mandatory part of the curriculum

OBSession the latest innovation at OBS, the first

School e-Sports Team in Switzerland

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.

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.

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.

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.

Striving for Excellence and Preparing for Endless

Opportunities

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

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COLLEGE

CHAMPITTET

Guiding Students towards Zeniths of Excellence

We 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

The 10 Best

Schools in

Switzerland

For 2020 T R

Testimonials

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


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

confidence in their

capacity to improve the

world.


SWITZERLAND

SWITZERLAND

WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITIES IN SCENIC SURROUNDINGS



Many 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

th

placed 17 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.

With state-of-the-art technology,

laboratories the latest technologies, the

University of Lausanne brings together

a charter of values. Within the

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

- by Sourabh More



INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

ZURICH NORTH (ISZN)

Nurturing Lifelong Learners

Situated 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.


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.


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.”

Book your private tour now.

We are looking forward to

meeting you.

(0) 44 830 70 00

info@iszn.ch

www.iszn.ch

- Ishika Paul, Graduated in 2016.



LEYSIN AMERICAN

SCHOOL

Raising a New Generation of Global Citizens

In 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.

A New Generation of Leaders

LAS’s approach to education has always been guided

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.


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


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.”


INFLUENCE OF

TECHNOLOGY

ON EDUCATION

In 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

st

students with 21 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.

st

Developing intercultural competence is crucial in the 21

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


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

st

passionate about promoting 21

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.


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.


he future face of business is a female one.

TAccording 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 maledominated

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



THE BRITISH SCHOOL

Developing a Strong Foundation for Life

Switzerland, 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.

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.

Guiding the Young Ones

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.

Alongside the British curriculum, the school maintains a

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 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.

Striving to Remain the ‘Same’

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.

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


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.”


“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


ASTUTE MIND

Dr. Brian Hufing

Assistant Professor of

Philosophy & Theology

Southern Evangelical

Seminary

48 | THE KNOWLEDGE REV IEW | OCTOBER 2020

THE

Study

OF THE

PHILOSOPHY OF

Religion

IN THE

Age

OF THE

INTERNET

tudying reality is important. Studying ultimate reality

Sis 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


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


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