Review: Zaytuna Institute’s Distance Learning
June 26, 2008 · Reading Time: 1min 02sec · Print This Article
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Zaytuna Institute was founded in 1996 by Hamza Yusuf and Dr. Hesham Alalusi and based in California as a non-profit, educational institute. Zaytuna Institute has held several conferences bringing several leading scholars from various parts of the globe to participate. (source: official website)
One of it’s most recent offerings is its Distance Learning program. View its positioning in its promotions video here:
Most of its Distance Learning programs are offered in either MP3 format or in video format. The MP3 format averages about US40 and the video version about US60. Each format is delivered in about 1to 2hr duration courses weekly, for a total of about 10 courses depending on the lesson choice.
I’ve taken 2 of the courses so far, and here’s my review:
- Quality of teachers: Exceptional.
- Quality of MP3: Very clear.
- Quality of Video: Not tested.
- Clarity of classes and lessons: Clear as each lesson is recorded during an actual class at Zaytuna Institute in California. Hence there are students there who ask questions that you might want to ask.
- Level of interactiveness: Low as you’re watching pre-recorded sessions as supposed to a live video-conferencing lecture. It’s supported by a forum though.
- Document support: Low. Sometimes there is no material or notes (in PDF) on the content lesson thought.
My take: While slightly lacking in material support and maybe level of communication, the Zaytuna Institute’s Distance Learning offers scholarly lessons at very affordable prices. I’d recommend you to just give a go at one course and see if it suits your learning style. The new semester for Distance Learning starts soon.
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As salamu ‘alaykum Brother Hafihz,
Thank you for posting this review on your site. We appreciate your feedback. We are striving to refine the ZDL experience for not only our students but also for our teachers.
We hope you will continue to be a ZDL student and we hope we can rely on you to promote our activities.
I am glad to hear that Islam is still thriving in Singapore, one of my favorite places in the world!
Salam,
Mikael Pittam
Zaytuna Institute
Distance Learning Program Manager
http://www.zaytuna.org/distancelearning.asp
Wasalaam Bro Mikael,
No problem, thank you for visiting my site! Yup, promote I will, it’s a quality product that others should know about.
And yup, Islam’s definitely thriving in Singapore, and strong and dynamic here to say the least. =)
Salaam.