Learning styles, learning outcomes and student retention: an empirical enquiry among mature candidates pursuing a part-time level-one programme in Christian theology

Prof. Leslie Francis

Institute of Education, University of Warwick

Start date: July 2006

The Exploring Faith series of books, published by Darton, Longman and Todd, was designed by Professor Jeff Astley (Durham) and Professor Leslie J Francis (Bangor) to resource a level-one distance-learning programme in Christian theology. Using twelve of these books (ten credits each), University of Wales, Bangor has developed a mechanism for delivering a Certificate of Higher Education through local education groups. A pilot project of five groups was initiated in September 2004. Further groups are planned for September 2005. The project plans to evaluate the experiences of students admitted in 2004 and 2005 against a theoretical background concerned with learning styles.