Extension with local support

With thanks to John Clapton, YouthCARE

Much self-directed learning can done in small groups or pairs with the help of an approved local tutor. Tutors are not necessarily subject matter experts, and may depend on the centre for that kind of expertise.

Class interaction should be significant and valuable as a learning experience. The tutor's skills are in facilitation of learning, leading discussions associated with working through the materials, and supporting students to meet program goals. In some cases when students are in difficulty, they act as an intermediary with the centre. The model gets stuck when it starts to depend on facilitators for subject matter expertise.

It is also important in that it did not dislocate people from their own social and cultural environments, and focused more on character development and vocational outcome. Nevertheless, many of its better programs are academically quite sound

This was the basis for the Theological Education by Extension movement.

Time structures vary greatly. Here's one basic formula in which a tutorial was held every week:

• Group tutorials: Two hours per week
• Use of self-study materials: five hours per week
• Background reading: two hours per week.

Here's another possible time structure for electronic support:

• Electronic contact with tutor: One hour per week
• Email group, email tutorial, or chat room tutorial: One hour per week
• Use of self-study materials: five hours per week
• Background reading: two hours per week.