Students must submit work for all assessments, and must pass the Reflective Learning Journal assessment.

Assessment 1: Portfolio of student's written work, comprising the following: A range of documents for different purposes, and a commentary describing suitability for purpose. Researched material from primary and secondary sources with a commentary evaluating their usefulness (50%) [Learning Outcome 1 and 3]

Assessment 2: Learning journal showing understanding of own progress (25%) [Learning Outcome 2 and 4]

Assessment 3: Participation in discussions and presentations (25%) [Learning Outcome 3]

Students will be able to explore a range of study skills in order to enhance their progression through the award and develop practical skills for the workplace. Research methods will form a core of the module, whilst integrating into other areas of study. Methods of communicating will be investigated and utilised, with consideration for appropriateness for the intended purpose. Students will be encouraged to evaluate their own understanding of their work, and their responsibilities relating to their learning.

The Reflective Learning Journal will be a focus of students' reflective evaluation of their study, serving as a tool for resolving difficulties and facilitating broadening awareness of their own and other people's viewpoints, as well as a record of progress. How to keep a Reflective Learning Journal and considering the relationship of theory to practice will be included in this module.

Students will be expected to carry out substantial work in their own time, and may draw upon a wide range of sources for the assessment material, including from the workplace and personal experience.

Introduction to study skills: 5 hrs
Information retrieval demonstrations & workshops: 10 hrs
Writing skills and workshops: 15 hrs
Presentation skills and workshops: 10 hrs
Group tutorials and critiques with formative feedback: 5 hrs
Individual tutorials: 5 hrs

Total contact time 50 hrs per student

Students will have access in all colleges to library and computer resources

Cottrell, S. (2008). Study Skills Handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Cottrell, S. (2005). Critical Thinking Skills . Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Hickman, R. (2005). Student Handbook for Art and Design. 3rd ed. Harlow: Pearson Publishing.
Moon, J. (2000). Reflection in Learning and Professional Development. London: Routledge.

http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&source=hp&q=jenny+moon+journals+on+reflection&oq=jenny+moon+journals+on+reflection&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=10222l19742l0l20042l40l35l1l15l15l1l1458l3437l5.6.3.7-1l15l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=d7c96ecea6fcd1a8&biw=1920&bih=960
http://www.infed.org/research/keeping_a_journal.htm
Smith, Mark (1999, 2006), 'Keeping a learning journal', the encyclopaedia of informal education, www.infed.org/research/keeping_a_journal.htm.
http://www.audiencedialogue.net/journal.html