Curriculum Design

When the Seminary was founded, instead of the traditional curriculum design, we researched what Christians at both leadership and non-leadership levels need to know and be able to do. We then used this analysis to develop a series of learning outcomes and from this we developed the curriculum. In other words, the subjects you study all yield essential knowledge and skills - there is no redundant or superfluous material in your study programme.

Since then we have consistently listened to the needs of the church and to the feedback from our students and have refined the courses accordingly. Our aim is to make studying as pleasant as possible for you without compromising standards. Most courses in the Certificate curriculum are completely self-contained and, as such, have no prescribed textbooks. In addition, each of these subjects is presented to you in easy to handle units. The Diploma and Bachelors programmes are produced in a different format. Instead of an interactive self-contained format, these subjects require you to consult our Readers and to complete a series of assessment tasks based on a range of books or other resources.

Minimum study requirements:

You are required to complete 24 credits of study every 12 months (commencing with date of enrolment), but we strongly recommend that you complete at least 48, otherwise you will simply take too long to complete your qualification.

MySats

MySats is a website that integrates all my academic information. By logging into MySats, I am able to access all my course materials, interact with the teacher and other students, submit my assignments and keep track of their status, and receive feedback on my assignments . MySats also provides me with direct access to library resources and other vital documents (e.g., the student handbook, the guide for writing assignments). I am also able to order and pay for my subjects and view my curriculum.

What are the advantages for me?

MySats offers me a number of significant advantages, such as:

• One-stop studying . I have direct access to everything I need for my courses, whether I choose to study via e-learning, print or downloads (see below).
• Contact with other students . I am able to communicate with other students taking the course by using the Forum function on each course page. Since the feeling of isolation is one of the great challenges of distance learning, sharing my journey with a number of other students is a great help.
• Access to the assessor . I am able to submit my assignments directly to the course facilitator, without any administrative delays on the seminary side. I am also able to see that the assignment has been received, and to receive it back as soon as it has been graded—again without administrative delays. If there is a delay in grading my assignment, I can query it directly with the assessor responsible for grading it.
• Continuous, rapid feedback . I am able to submit my assignments one by one, and receive feedback on each assignment in time to help me with the next assignment. Ongoing formative feedback throughout the course enriches my learning experience, since I can learn from one assignment in time to improve the next one.
• Paced learning . By assigning due dates for all my assignments and completion dates for my courses, MySats paces my studies in such a way that I am able to complete my qualification in good time by doing one subject in each three-month block. The assignment dates are spread out to make my time-management easy—I just have to work steadily to complete my course.

I have three options from which to choose:

1. e-Learning

If I choose to do my studies via e-learning, I collaborate with a small group of 8-20 students in an online learning community, using a range of exciting e-learning tools. My fellow students could be in the same town or they could be in other parts of the world! Together we work towards completing roughly one credit per week, thereby ensuring that we maintain a steady workflow throughout the year. I log in regularly and complete various assessment tasks. Although I am part of a group, we do not have to be online at the same time. We each log in at times that suit us, to make our contributions to the course. When I contribute to group projects, I will be assessed individually.

Read what students say about SATS' e-learning courses:

The e-learning way has personally kept me on track, is very interactive and stimulating, and I have probably achieved more credits in 6 months, then I did in 1 ½ years of studying on my own. I would highly recommend e-learning as a way of getting your assignments done on time, and clocking up credits faster toward your degree!

The advent of e-learning has changed my life completely. The way the courses are structured, being interactive, and the motivation that I get from the facilitators is so inspiring and conducive to assisting me in getting through my studies. The way the courses are structured also helps me to progress in my studies at a much faster rate.

e-Learning is the best and has helped me grow in my studies much more than self-study. The time allotted for each course and pace has been perfect for me. I am getting so much out of the interaction, constant connection with the facilitator and outlines. This is definitely the best way to go if you want to get the most out of your education!

2. Downloads

If I choose to do my studies via this method, I download all my materials from MySats and then work straight from my computer screen or print the materials. I work on my own, but I work to a schedule which enables me to complete each 12 credit subject in 12 weeks. I submit all my assignments on MySats, and receive feedback via MySats. I also write my exams on MySats.

Some students prefer to study on their own. They may also not have regular access to broadband internet.

The download method allows you to go online at the start of your course, download all that is necessary, and then only go online again once you are ready to submit your assignments.

As opposed to the print option, this method does not require you to print out all your notes, thereby saving you quite a lot of money. Of course you are still free to print if you want to.

This method is also great for students in areas where the postal system is unreliable, but where regular internet access is not viable.

3. Print

If I choose to do my studies using printed materials, SATS sends me my coursework books and readers by courier. I work on my own, but I work to a schedule which enables me to complete each 12-credit subject in 12 weeks. I submit my assignments and receive feedback via MySats, but if I do not have access to the internet, I can still send my assignments by mail. This option is not available for students outside of South Africa.

This method is ideal for students in South Africa (only) who either prefer to study from a book (as opposed to a screen) or who live in areas where access to the internet is not an option. The need to print and bind large numbers of pages is negated. We do it for you!

Your material is sent via courier to your front door within 48 hours.

However, because printing and courier costs are involved, this method costs slightly more than the other two.

For more information please phone our Helpdesk on 011 022-4440 and we will be happy to assist you.