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Religious Education by Distance Learning (CREDL)

Programme structure

You will enhance your understanding of the teachings and liturgical practices of the Catholic Church. You will learn how to approach the study of religion through language, sacred scripture, signs, symbols and the interpretation of human experience. You will learn to appreciate the main stages of personal religious and moral development and how to relate to these in your teaching and to the formation of your students in faith.

CREDL offers an exciting new online learning opportunity, set in the University’s stimulating MOODLE learning environment. You will receive training in the use of MOODLE and you will also be assigned a tutor. You will proceed at your own pace through the various units in each of two Courses. You are expected to have completed CREDL 1 by the end of the first year. These units are designed to help you to learn interactively, making use of readings, online tasks and weblinks to additional resources and discussion forums.

Please note that, to make use of the Moodle environment, you will require regular access to a computer which can connect to the Internet, preferably via a Broadband link. Most schools should be able to offer the appropriate level of access.
Where possible, you will also be expected to participate in course-related CPD activities offered by your local parish, Diocese or the Scottish Catholic Education Service.

Course 1: Theological Eduation and Personal Development

This module will focus on Theology and will engage you with central Christian beliefs and distinctive Catholic approaches to them. You will be asked to reflect on how God is seen as Father, Son and Spirit in the Doctrines of Creation, Incarnation and Redemption. You will learn how to respect and interpret Scripture; how to contribute to the Church’s structure and dynamic; to appreciate the role of Sacraments in Christian living; how Christian values and ideals are worked out in human relationships and how to become involved in the Church’ s Tradition and its development.

Course 2: Pedagogy and Development in Religious Education

The second module will focus on Teaching, beginning with explorations of a Catholic vision of education, its identity, tradition and contribution to Scottish education. You will also consider how religious education is affected by the development of the child from early years into young adulthood. With a particular focus on the primary or secondary sector, you will learn about the R.E. curriculum, approaches to learning & teaching, assessment and reporting. You will also explore how pupils’ faith formation can arise through Personal Search and through religious observance.

Assessment methods

Each Course is assessed by portfolio assessment. In each Course you will be required to submit: an essay of 1500 words and a report on a relevant CPD activity.

Each Course consists of 150 hours of notional student effort, consisting of:

80 hours online learning, including contact, interaction and private study;
40 hours of assessment-related activity, including reading, private reflection and composition;
30 hours of additional activity, including personal support and interaction with others.

Most students tend to complete the award over 1 or 2 school or university sessions.