An individual portfolio of evidence, weighted at 100%, assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.
The continuation of the students PDP (no weighting), assesses Learning Outcome 1.

Library and Internet access
Module website - Blackboard and electronic portfolio.

The learning strategy of this module requires students to commit to 150 learning hours. There will be 6 x 1 hour computer based workshops to introduce the subject area and use of Blackboard VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) and the electronic portfolio. The VLE will provide a comprehensive guide to the materials required as evidence the students portfolio. To develop and support underpinning knowledge it will contain study materials and student's self-directed study. The VLE will also provide the opportunity for the development of critical issues in management subjects and cognitive learning.
Development of subject, skills knowledge and understanding will be supported through the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) Blackboard. The key aspect is the collection of evaluated information produced by each student held within the electronic portfolio.

This module will first develop or enhance the ability of a student to be confident and more effective in using and applying independent learning techniques, it then progresses by using these skills to introduce students to critical thinking processes and the application of these skills in the workplace. It aims to encourage students to develop and exercise higher order thinking abilities and apply them within the context of topics applicable to the management of organisations, including the need to select and use an effective communication medium that is applicable to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

In the first part of the module, students will `test out' the most effective means to learn using different source materials, such as text books and web based materials. At this stage students will be introduced to, and will start to use an electronic portfolio as a means of storing evaluated information. Frequently, tasks will be in the form of formative assessments which will build into a collection thus meeting the requirements for the final assessment of the module.

Students will develop critical thinking processes that are applied to evaluate and develop balanced arguments regarding critical issues in management through a range of conceptual frameworks. Issues in management will reflect a broad range of topics across the business and management subject area and be adaptive to changes in management thinking and topicality.

To meet the learning outcomes, topics covered will be drawn from:
The cognitive process of thinking: critically transferable techniques and concepts to analyse, evaluate and organise information relating to the business and academic context for example: problem solving process, judgement and decision making, influences upon critical thinking, influences on judgement and decision making (personal, political, group, organisational). The construction of and presentation of an argument, information literacy (analysing and researching a topic): communicating ideas verbally and non-verbally will be developed.

Issues in management - these will be evaluated through conceptual frameworks which might be drawn from the workplace, for example: the examination of decisions in organisations (all sectors) and the impact on the environment, community and workplace. Such as, whistle blowing, genetically modified food, media and representation.

This is a hybrid module and as such there is no single text that covers the entire syllabus. Considerable information is available from the Blackboard web site. Students may find the following texts helpful.

Cottrell. S., (2005) Critical Thinking Skills-developing effective analysis and argument. Basingstoke, Palgrave. ISBN 1403996857

Cottrell. S., (2003) Skills for success. Basingstoke, Palgrave. ISBN 1403911320
De Bono, E., (1996) Teach yourself to think. Penguin. ISBN 0140230777

Kneeland, S., (1998) Effective problem-solving : how to understand the process and practise it successfully. Oxford. Oxford How To Books, Ltd. (Electronic book)

Fisher. A., (2001) Critical Thinking-an introduction, 6th Ed. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521009847