Perceptions of Lay Ministerial Training in the Church of England as an "Academic" Activity: Implications for Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies

Abstract

Over the last few years, the churches have been turning to HE validated programmes for their lay ministerial education. This article reports on a research project that investigates the student experience of training on an academic programme and seeks to identify how the term "academic" is understood by students. The article analyses the research findings and reflects critically on them in the light of selected literature on academic learning drawn from both educational and theological sources. The author draws out implications for teaching, learning and assessment strategies for church educators as they increasingly turn to HE validated programmes for the delivery of lay ministerial training.

Keywords:

• academic learning
• foundation degree
• lay ministry training