The new distance courses launched by Moore College this year have passed their first test - with completion and re-enrolment levels dramatically higher.

The courses were launched in March after a lengthy research process into student needs, new technologies and course structure.

The ITS (Introduction to Theological Studies) stream went online with innovations such as personal coaches as well as interactive notes and online forums.  There was also a new option, Moore Access, which simply allowed students to  join the online learning environment community, with access to interactive course notes for six subjects, weekly quizzes with feedback, and forum discussions. 

Operations Manager, John Downward, says the proof of its success will be how many complete the exam and come back for more. “It is early days, but we are over the moon with the improvement in re-enrolments – they are at levels we haven’t seen for years.”

One of the ITS students said, "Chew, my coach was excellent. It is wonderful to be able to talk to someone one on one about the course. I was feeling very frustrated that despite studying hard, completing lots of quizzes and feeling I have a good grasp of the course my test scores were not reflecting this. She went through my answers to the Test questions that were worrying me and helped me understand why certain answers were correct. She was very encouraging and I now feel enthused again to continue pressing forward with the course.”

Meanwhile, the Moore Access community has proven popular with nearly 700 subscribers just months after opening and a further one thousand students have already enrolled in the PTC (Preliminary Theological Course).

“Distance education through Moore College has taken a huge leap forward” said Moore College principal Dr Mark Thompson. “These courses will equip men and women all over the world to know God better and to make him known.”