At Auckland Park Theological Seminary, we use distance education for teaching and learning in all our courses, which offers many advantages. One key benefit is that students and lecturers can be in different locations and not just at the main campus. This method also saves money, as students don’t need to relocate or travel, making higher education accessible to more people from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, distance learning provides flexible schedules, allowing students to balance their studies with personal and professional commitments.
While distance education has many advantages, it also presents some challenges. At ATS we continually strive to improve our teaching and learning methods in this format.
Our approach is blended and Internet-supported. We primarily use printed materials like Reader, Study, and Assessment manuals, with virtual online classes and video recordings of classes in support of teaching and learning.
Printed Material
The printed Reader and Study Manual assist students with their private study by providing weekly goals, reading tasks, notes, and self-assessments. They also inform students about available support from lecturers and how to contact them.
The Reader supplies essential content for each module, ensuring that students have everything they need to succeed. They don’t need to buy extra textbooks, except for a couple of subjects. Each module also includes a recommended reading list for further learning. To expose students to different ideas and improve their research skills, the programme encourages using libraries and other resources for additional information.
The Reader is designed to reduce costs and ensure easy access for remote or even rural students. Lecturers compile it, allowing them to include recent research findings. This keeps teaching relevant to the Southern African context and meets societal needs, contributing to knowledge creation and sharing.
The Study Manual supports the virtual online classes and aligns with the Reader’s content. It guides students through their study with weekly goals, reading tasks, and self-assessments. Reflection exercises and self-assessment questions help students check their understanding and progress.
Virtual Online Classes
Online video sessions facilitate effective learning and knowledge sharing. Lecturers hold virtual meetings where students can discuss learning content and clarify learning issues. Recordings of these sessions are made available afterwards.
We believe that a unique learning experience is possible through the work of the Holy Spirit, who offers guidance, insight, and wisdom to both lecturers and students. From a rationalistic or mechanistic perspective, this might seem naive, yet ATS has often experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence and influence in our classes. While the online environment may feel unfamiliar, the role of the Holy Spirit remains constant and familiar. We encourage both lecturers and students to seek His divine guidance, just as they do when preparing, delivering, or understanding a sermon.
Assessments
Formative assessments are conducted through assignments, tests, experiential tasks, and online activities, following ATS’s assessment policy. Lecturers provide personalised feedback on these assessments. These assessments occur throughout the semester and contribute to the final evaluation, which is primarily a summative assessment in the form of a written examination. Assessments are submitted on a student’s personal online learning support page.
In distance learning, it is crucial to ensure the integrity of all assessments. Here, ATS relies on the help of invigilators. An invigilator is someone who supervises tests and exams. Learn more about who qualifies as an invigilator.
Library Services
Learn more about ATS’ Library Facilities.
Personal online learning support page: Make-Learning-Flow
When you register as a student with Auckland Park Theological Seminary, you gain access to your personal online learning support page. This page is created when you first register. The appearance and content of your personal online learning support page will vary depending on the year, your qualification, and the modules you have registered for.
On this page you are given access to virtual class video recordings, downloadable resources, the Open Access Online Libraries, and self-service options such as submitting assignments, registering for exams, uploading invigilator forms and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit the FAQ page to find answers to common questions that students frequently ask us.
