All Saints trains people for ministry in a fast-moving world where online technologies are changing the way we access information and interact with one another. As well as offering access to traditional libraries (see below), All Saints uses online technology as a key part of our delivery model and as a way of giving students across a variety of dioceses access to common resources.
Online resources – Moodle
A central part of the resources All Saints uses is an online learning environment called Moodle (based on an open-source platform used by many educational institutions).
Moodle has three main uses for All Saints:-
- Access to information – Moodle is where students can access all the Course and module handbooks, teaching materials, learning resources, reading material, course information such as study day and residential schedules and programmes, forms and notices. Some of the required reading for the course is available on Moodle, as well as online video and audio resources and other tools such as questionnaires.
- Communication – as well as allowing students to email tutors and vice versa, Moodle also provides forums where students and tutors can share information and take part in online discussion about their learning on specific modules. Much of the course’s communication with students is done via Moodle, which is set up to email students and staff – and student evaluation of modules and events is also done on Moodle.
- Assessment – Though some assessments involve “live” elements such as presentations, sermons and interviews, all assessments include some element of written work or supporting documentation that is uploaded to Moodle. Moodle is also where students access their grades and feedback on assignments.
Part of the application process for All Saints is to check whether students will need additional IT support for what is a central part of learning on the course and also an increasingly vital set of skills for ministry. Students are introduced to Moodle at the start of the course and there is support available for using it, but it is important to note that students on the All Saints course do need regular Internet access.
Moodle is very helpful in supporting the teaching programmes, and the Course is to be congratulated on its development as a learning and information tool. Moodle is a remarkable resource and one of the main strengths of the Course.National Inspection Report 2012
All Saints provides a limited number of copies of all key texts and wider reading for each module in two libraries: the University of Chester and Luther King House, Manchester.
All students on the Course are registered with the specialist theological library at Luther King House in Manchester. As well as being available to all students, Luther King House Library provides a postal service who are not easily able to get there. Students registered with the University of Chester have full access to the university’s library and online resources. Through UK Libraries Plus university-registered students also have limited borrowing rights at a number of libraries in the region. Students from the Liverpool Diocese can access books at Liverpool Hope University.
For students buying their own books, St Denys Bookshop in Manchester gives All Saints students a 10% discount on all purchases, and wherever possible will arrange free delivery to weeknight and study day centres.