This module aims to develop your skills and knowledge to help support learning as a Distance Learner. The first aspect develops your understanding of academic study and how this underpins your programme of learning and knowledge development. Typical areas within this include - information literacy and research, navigating and searching digital libraries, effective methods and tools for academic referencing, writing, presentation skills and becoming a reflective learner.


The second aspect of the module focuses on the applied/practical skills that are necessary to perform effectively as a Distance Learner in the working environment and develops skills that are more directly careers based in focus. Typical areas within this include - concept/mind mapping tools and techniques, career planning, personal development planning, collaborative/remote working (including but not limited to principles, practice and how to make the most of the student-tutor relationship).


SPECIFICALLY IN RELATION TO THE EMPLOYABILITY FRAMEWORK, this module covers:


Promoting yourself for careers and beyond

Building confidence with different formats

Determining life goals

Creating CPD portfolio’s and the key includes

Identification of potential barriers and organisational restrictions to career paths

Understanding personal strengths and how to promote these in different media, including paper and online presence

Recruitment processes

Skills and issues, job applications, CVs, and interviews

Personal development reflection (Personal Development Planning)

Identification of common career routes/pathways

Determination and adherence approaches

The need for professional competencies

The need for skills currency

Communications skills development for specific employment roles

The traditional internship process

Coaching and mentoring approaches

Strategies, efficiencies, and lifelong planning

Personal skills of evaluation and reflection

Addressing unsuccessful job applications / career moves

Learning to read recruitment process and expectations

Working in teams / becoming a team player

Shining a highlight to personal attributes

Understanding the different types of employment from industry to self-employment

The role of entrepreneurship (identifying opportunity, channelling, evaluation, and exploitation)

Finance and monetary systems

Legal requirements of working

The digital workforce and worker within

Social mobility skills

Reading job markets – local and international

Employment and the fit to lifelong learning

Research Essay – A research-based essay on a technical subject in the disciplines of ICT or Networks. The essay question will change every semester (to allow for resitting the module) but will be within the confines of the identified subjects (Learning Outcome 1).

Reflective Analysis – A reflective portfolio that documents the professional development made in the student’s own environment and shows a development of understanding of professional and career development represented in the main as an action plan. There will be formative stages to the portfolio, with one summative submission at the end (Learning Outcome 2).

1. Investigate a topic and produce an academic report on the results of that investigation using appropriate information sources and remote study skills.

Knowledge and understanding,

Enquiry,

Learning,

Analysis

2. Demonstrate independent and reflective learning skills.

Reflection,

Communication

Students will have participated in an award induction workshop where they will learn how to use the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) employed for the study of this module. Subsequently students will work through the module material provided on the VLE at a pace suggested within the VLE for the module. The material will include activities that allow students to assimilate the concepts and skills required by the module. Students will be encouraged to discuss relevant aspects via vehicles such as discussion forums hosted within the VLE. The forums will allow discussion with a student's peer group as well as the module tutor. Teleconferencing meetings will occur as appropriate to provide additional support.

Students will be expected to engage with independent reading, which should include texts, journals, websites that are pertinent to the learning outcomes and the issues or areas that form the focus of the module. Indicative texts:


Crawford, B (2022) ‘Reflection’, Agora (Melbourne, Vic.), 57(1)

Cottrell, S. (2017)¿Critical thinking skills effective analysis, argument and reflection. Third edition (Available online)¿

Bedford, D, (2019), Study Skills for Foundation Degrees, Routledge; 3rd edition¿

Wisker, G, (2018), The Undergraduate Research Handbook: 122 (Macmillan Study Skills),Red Globe Press; 2nd edition¿

Burnett, S, (2021), Microsoft Office 365 for Beginners: 9 in 1. The Most Comprehensive Guide to Become a Pro in No Time - Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access, Publisher, Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams, Independently published¿

Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. and Tight, M. (2010) How to Research. Berkshire: McGraw-Hill Education.

Cottrell, S., (2019) The Study Skills Handbook, 5th Edition, Hampshire: Palgrave Study Guides

Creme, P. and Lea, M.R., (2008) Writing at University, 3rd Edition, Open University Press

McMillan, K (2012) How to improve your critical thinking and reflective skills, 2nd Edition, Essex: Pearson Education Ltd

Moon, J (2007) Critical Thinking: An Exploration of Theory and Practice, London & New York: Routledge

This module aims to dispel the myths and concerns of how to approach your study by adopting a principle-based approach that draws on your existing skills and knowledge and provides clear guidance on how to develop your skills and undertake academic research to support your off-campus learning. The second part of the module focuses on your career, how to assess this, and how to plan and look for future job growth activities.

Must have attended a Course Briefing Day and be approved by the course leader to start the module