You will need access to these resources:

The VLE
An ICT Workplace environment. A Work-Based Learning Agreement will be completed for this module to ensure that the student will have access to the required resources in the workplace.

The Internet
Word Processing software for use in the coursework
Staffordshire University has subscriptions to electronic book services such as Safari Tech Books, Ebrary and Netlibrary. There are titles in each of the collections that will support students studying this module. Staffordshire University has subscriptions to IEEExplore, ACM Digital Library, Elsevier Science Direct and Infotrac Computer Database all offering full text electronic access to journals and conference proceedings

The module content may be delivered in a series of tutorial sessions. Non-contact time will be used for independent research and workplace-based learning.. An example delivery schedule would be 2*1-hour tutorial sessions/week for 12 weeks..
Work-based Component
Students are encouraged to spend around 24 hours over the course of the module seeking re-enforcement of academic learning through practical experience in an ICT work environment. This will include investigation of how aspects of the taught material apply to the workplace through the use of worksheets and will inform the coursework assignment. Students will have access to a workplace based mentor While it is difficult to be prescriptive, Mentors will usually devote around 6 hours to their mentees during the course of this module either on a one to one basis or in groups if possible. The time will be used to support the mentees in their completion of set tasks.
2 hours of Academic Tutor Contact time will be used for formative and summative reviews. Where necessary, reviews may be conducted virtually using appropriate tools. There will be two formative reviews lasting 30 minutes and a summative review lasting 1 hour.. Employer Feedback Forms will be completed by the work-based mentor and Self assessment forms will be completed by the student. These will inform the reviews
(24*1, 1:20), (2*0.5,1:1), (1*1,1:1)

Students will prepare a proposal for this module. The Proposal MUST be approved by the Module Tutor who will ensure that it is of the right level and will enable the student to meet the learning outcomes of the module. It must then be signed off by the Mentor who will confirm that it will be possible for the student to undertake the work outlined in the proposal as part of their role..
Data and Information
Understanding the difference between data, information and knowledge.
Data quality
The three principles of accuracy, objectivity and independence.

Data collection techniques
Introduction to university e-libraries, e-resources and on-line facilities
Access to information in the work place
The application of various research tools and techniques to ensure quick and accurate collection of data.
Ensuring the security and sensitivity of data. Methods of collecting data from sensitive and confidential sources.
Accepted standards regarding data and information (e.g. sources, validity, reliability, completeness, terminology, acronyms, purpose and conventions)

Relevant Mathematical Concepts
Introduction to basic mathematical concepts focussing on those relevant to the working environment

Introduction to analytical tools
The nature of an analytical tool and how it can be used.
Analytical tools and their application to monitoring, quality improvement and modelling of ICT/Telecommunications systems.
Factors relating to the appropriate selection of analytical tools for different problems.

Decision Support
The role of data in operations, decision making and planning.
Considering the currency, relevance of the information, source of the information, context and general trends of the data under examination

COURSEWORK weighted at 100% comprising 2 pieces of work

A Project proprosal weighted at 40% (Learning Outcome 1,2,3 and 3)
(Circa 1500 words) covering
¿ The background and context of the project
¿ The nature of the data to be collected
¿ A review of the data collection methods available and a sound justification for the methods chosen
¿ The specification of the project in terms of the tools to be used, analyses to be undertaken, type of information to be produced from the analyses.

A WRITTEN REPORT weighted at 60%. (Learning Outcome 1.2,3 and 4)
An implementation demonstrating the analysis of data and presentation of results
(Circa 1,500 words)


Students will be required to demonstrate the implementation to the module tutor (or nominated marker) for the purposes of moderation or clarification.

Foundation Mathematics, 2nd Edition, A. Croft and R. Davidson, Addison-Wesley, 1997, ISBN 0201178044

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