Distance Teaching:

• Enables students to work in their own homes and in their own time
• Enables the student to learn in context
• Enables the student to integrate learning with work/ministry commitments. Lay or ordained ministry is thus enriched.

Committed to the principle of affordable Distance Teaching which is able provide quality learning opportunities to people in all parts of the country, EIDTS is developing the necessary materials. Specially written modules enable you to study at home in your own time and at your own pace with the aid of a manual, a textbook and with a tutor available to assist you with your study.

You may not have studied for some considerable time and may feel somewhat uncertain about it. That feeling soon passes and your confidence will begin to grow. When you enrol you will find your course set out in a detailed way and you will also find people ready and able to help you as you begin your study. Your assignments will be returned with full, encouraging comments so that your enthusiasm begins to grow.

Learning at a Distance - what is is Like?
Learning at a distance requires more self-discipline than attending lectures and enjoying direct contact with lecturers. You will need to use good time management skills to give yourself a reasonable study time each week. As a minimum for experienced students we would say that you require approximately 240 hours per year for each L.Th paper divided over 24-30 weeks. Some of you will need more time.

The Study Skills booklet offers help in honing up your study skills including time management. The courses are to provide a study opportunity for people who simply want to expand their thinking and vision or to equip members of the church for ministry and mission. It may be that you want to explore your faith and understanding more deeply, or that you are training for ordination or that you have been ordained for some time and wish to refresh yourself. The courses are open to all denominations.

What Support is there for Students?

• Students will receive a set of study materials for each course in which they enrol. This will include a.) Course Outline giving an overview of the course and the assessment requirements, b.) Study Guide providing guidance in the use of the course material, and c.) a set of readings to supplement the set text for the course. Information will be provided indicating other useful books for additional reading.

• Each subject has a designated Tutor. Students will receive their tutor's name, address, telephone number and / or email address at the time of enrollment and are encouraged to consult with their tutor when necessary.

• Tutors see themselves as being in partnership with adult students rather than being in a teacher/student relationship. The tutor comments fully on written work and is available to offer clarification and encouragement to the student.

• The Academic Registrar plays a large part in support and encouragement for students. The Registrar is responsible for ensuring that information and study materials are provided to all students. The Academic Registrar may be contacted by email (eidts@xtra.co.nz) or by telephone (0800-667-969)

• A newsletter, From A Loft, is sent to students at least once a year.

• Students may wish to find a support person or a small group in their area with whom material can be discussed. Another possibility is to form a small study group with two or three friends who might enrol in the same subject and meet together regularly to discuss the study material.

• Evaluation forms are sent in the middle of each year, and at the end of the year, inviting students to evaluate each course. This allows for courses to be kept under constant review and to maintain the quality of the material.
  

Study Skills?
Students who are enrolling with the Ecumenical Institute for the first time will be provided with a study skills and writing guide. Other books are available which may be of assistance to students, and there are often courses provided at high schools, polytechs or universities. Two books which cover all facets of study are: Power Learning by Gwen Gawith (Mills Publications) and Learning Success by John Winder (ESA Publications).

Residential Schools provide an opportunity for distance education students to meet face to face with other students, and to experience interactive learning. Students are encouraged to attend at least one Residential School in the course of their LTh studies. A number of courses will be offered each year which combine a Residential School with ongoing reading and assignments.

The cost for Residential Schools (including accommodation) is met by EIDTS. Students will need to make their own arrangements for travel and meet the costs for that. Assistance towards travel costs is available on application to the Academic Registrar. Applications need to be lodged with the Academic Registrar prior to registration.