The Experiment in Congregational Education's "e-learning strategy" involves educational technology and Internet-based communication tools to reach many congregations, wherever they are located. The long-term goals of this strategy include:

• Making the ECE accessible to hundreds of congregations across the country and across denominations;
• Dramatically expanding the impact of the ECE's concepts, methods, and knowledge of educational innovations;
• Supporting the ECE process within congregations through cost-effective, web-based information, resources, tools, and support; and
• Building a sense of community among ECE congregations and their members as part of a significant movement toward synagogue transformation that creates
  Congregations of Learners and
  Self-Renewing Congregations.

ECE WEB-BASED INFORMATION, TOOLS AND RESOURCES

The ECE is developing an integrated suite of online information, tools, and resources. In the first phase of this process, we developed an Online Learning Experience and an online workspace for congregational coordinators. In phase two we added a Resource Center and in phase three we plan on creating a community space to enable lively interaction among ECE congregations and their members. A second Online Learning Experience is under development in Teacher Recruitment.

ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

The Online Learning Experience focuses on various forms of congregational learning and the innovation process that surrounds them. The first topic completed and currently in use by congregations is "Alternative Models of Religious Schools." Other topics in consideration are:

• Readiness for change and setting realistic goals;
• Innovation and change in the synagogue;
• Innovative programs for teens;
• Models of adult mentoring;
• Methods for promoting congregant-led text study;
• The training of avocational teachers;
• Widening the options for Hebrew study;
• Increasing the level of reflection in committees and boards; and
• The development of collaborative leadership.

These modules will draw on ECE site visits done at both ECE congregations and at other congregations known for their exemplary and innovative programs. The modules will typically include overviews of alternative models, profiles of specific programs, and an adaptation protocol. This adaptation protocol will provide process exercises and materials to support congregational deliberation.