A PORTFOLIO weighted at 50% and addressing learning outcomes 1-3

Portfolio weighted at 100% (circa 3000 words) comprising
-A group presentation (groups of 3 or 4)
- Individual research into group working and personal reflection on the group work experience
-Individual skills audit, SWOT analysis and career action plan
A COURSEWORK weighted at 50% and addressing learning outcomes 1, 2 and 4
A portfolio (circa 3000 words) comprising
- Primary research data with discussion of associated legislation, issues etc.
- Analysis and presentation of results
- Summary of findings, decisions, resolutions etc

This module explicitly focuses on significant elements required for the achievement of the STAFFORDSHIRE GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES:
- Work-ready and employable
- Understanding of enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Understanding of global issues and their place in the global economy
- Communication skills
- Presentation skills
- The ability to interact confidently with colleagues
- Skills of team working
- Ability to carry out inquiry-based learning and critical analysis
- Technologically, digitally and information literate
- Able to apply Staffordshire Graduate attributes to a range of life experiences to facilitate life-long learning

The module will cover the following topics:
- Professional Development
* Analysis of current skills
* E-portfolio creation
* Professional development planning
* Professional work processes and issues
* Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
- Study Skills
* Introduction to libraries and learning resources
* Learning outcomes, assessment and marking criteria
* Mind Maps
* Report writing, evaluation and reflection.
* Communication skills and presentations
* Use of relevant applications to support communication and collaboration
* Self and peer assessment
* Secondary research skills
* Group Working
- Secondary research methods, referencing
- Academic dishonesty
- Objectivity and subjectivity
- Analysis, Evaluation and reflection
- Reliability of information and Bias

An on-line Module Hand Book will be provided which will guide students through a series of tasks which will give structure to independent academic research, work based investigation and practical work based learning.

Independent Academic Research
Students will be expected to undertake around 100 hours of independent academic study during the course of the module. This will be guided by a series of academic tasks such as producing research reports, working through case studies etc and will require access to academic resources.

Work-based Component
Students will need to spend circa 100 hours over the course of the module undertaking their work-based tasks. This will include investigation of how aspects of the academic learning apply to the workplace and development of new skills. Students will have access to a workplace based mentor while it is not prescriptive, Mentors will usually devote around 5 hours in total to their mentees 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.

Academic contact time will be used to provide academic support for student learning on an ad-hoc basis via the VLE. Students will be put into study groups (3-4 students) where possible and there will typically be 8 scheduled 30 minute sessions for each group of up to 4 students (2 academic contact hours)

1 hour of Academic Contact time will be used for two individual 30 minute formative reviews. Where necessary, reviews will be conducted virtually using appropriate tools. 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.

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The following are not essential texts but will provide useful background reading:
The Study Skills Book (Smarter Study Skills), Kathleen McMillan and Jonathan Weyers, 2012, Pearson Education Ltd, ISBN-10: 0273773313, ISBN-13: 978-0273773313 (Edition: 3)
The Study Skills Handbook (Palgrave study skills), Cottrell, S. 2008, PALGRAVE, Macmillan ISBN-10: 0230573053, ISBN-13: 978-0230573055 (Edition: 3)
Pandora's Box: Social and Professional Issues of the Information Age, Andrew Adams and Rachel McCrindle, 2007, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN-10: 0470065532, ISBN-13: 978-0470065532
Ethics for the Information Age: International Edition, Mike Quinn, 2010, Pearson Education, ISBN-10: 0132134853, ISBN-13: 978-0132134859 (Edition: 4)
A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal and Ethical Issues for Computing and the Internet, Sara Baase, 2012, Pearson Education, ISBN-10: 027376859X, ISBN-13: 978-0273768593 (Edition: 4)
The Literature Review - A Step-by-Step Guide for Students, Ridley, D. 2012 Sage Publications Ltd, ISBN-10: 1446201430, ISBN-13: 978-1446201435 (Edition: 2)
Foundation Maths, Croft, A., Davidson, R., 2010, Addison-Wesley,, ISBN-10: 0273730762, SBN-13: 978-0273730767 (Edition: 5)