This module is an empty shell which is to be filled with learning of your choice in agreement with your employer and tutor. The learning must be relevant to your apprenticeship (ideally to your specialism) and future career, and you will be required to identify how it maps to your apprenticeship KSBs.



The learning can be drawn from an agreed course of study leading to a professional qualification or specialist skill, any level 6 module on offer within the department of computing.



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



Promoting yourself for careers and beyond

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

Personal skills of evaluation and reflection

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

Legal requirements of working

The digital workforce and worker within

Employment and the fit to lifelong learning





This module will support the development and assessment of the following Core Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours from the DTSP Apprenticeship Standard:

Knowledge

K5 A range of digital technology solution development techniques and tools.

K17 Reporting techniques, including how to synthesise information and present concisely, as appropriate to the target audience.

Skills

S13 Report effectively to colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language and style, to meet the needs of the audience concerned.

S14 Research, investigate, and evaluate innovative technologies or approaches in the development of a digital and technology solution.



Behaviours

B1 Has a strong work ethic and commitment to meet the standards required.

B2 Reliable, objective and capable of independent and team working.

B4 Commits to continuous professional development; maintaining their knowledge and skills in relation to developments in digital and technology solutions that influence their work.

B7 Maintains awareness of trends and innovations in the subject area, utilising a range of academic literature, online sources, community interaction, conference attendance and other methods which can deliver business value.

A portfolio - A learning portfolio in an agreed field of study will be identified, agreed by the apprentice, employer and tutor. On agreement a learning contract will be developed and ratified by a panel on submission. The contract will identify the relevant negotiated learning outcomes, the learning process for their achievement, the assessment strategy to be undertaken and the mapping of the work to the apprenticeship outcomes (KSBs). Where appropriate the portfolio may link to an agreed professional qualification at an appropriate level.

Learning Outcomes 1,2 – additional learning outcomes will be defined by negotiation.





Assessing the following Core KSBs:

Knowledge

K5 A range of digital technology solution development techniques and tools.

K17 Reporting techniques, including how to synthesise information and present concisely, as appropriate to the target audience.

Skills

S13 Report effectively to colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language and style, to meet the needs of the audience concerned.

S14 Research, investigate, and evaluate innovative technologies or approaches in the development of a digital and technology solution.



Behaviours

B1 Has a strong work ethic and commitment to meet the standards required.

B2 Reliable, objective and capable of independent and team working.

B4 Commits to continuous professional development; maintaining their knowledge and skills in relation to developments in digital and technology solutions that influence their work.

B7 Maintains awareness of trends and innovations in the subject area, utilising a range of academic literature, online sources, community interaction, conference attendance and other methods which can deliver business value.

The module will be delivered in a Blended Learning Mode consisting of face to face, online and guided learning sessions.



Teaching sessions will blend theory and practical learning and most importantly where possible contextualised in your workplace as part of your apprenticeship. Learners will be introduced to curriculum concepts and ideas and will then be able to apply theory to practical examples. In addition, students will be provided with a range of resources for independent study such as case studies, academic papers and industry case studies. There will be a mixture of practical and theoretical formative (mock or practice) exercises which will help students build knowledge and confidence in preparation for summative (formal) assessment.



The delivery will be delivered as follows:



Module Launch week: 4.5 hours.

There will be a module launch session consisting of up to 4.5 hours face to face contact time devoted to developing your understanding of the core purpose and assessment of the module. Learners will be presented with details of how to develop the learning contract.



Learning Contract Development Time: 4.5 hours

Following the module launch week it is expected that you will have around 4.5 hours to develop your learning contract including some 1:1 time and a further 1.5 hours of contact time as a class with the module team.



1:1 Progress Checks: 5 hours

As a Negotiated Studies



Guided Independent Learning: 186 hours.

The activities you identify in the learning contract alongside the contextualisation in your workplace should reach a total of 186 hours.

As an apprentice you are constantly developing your Digital Skills as part of your substantial role, and this applies to the development of the knowledge for your modules too. In some cases, there will be a significant cross over between the module content and in others less so depending on the nature of your workplace duties, this will have a direct impact on to the number of Independent Learning required.



Within the Independent learning time you will be expected to complete your assignments, as a guide a typical module assignment should take around 60 hours to complete.

1. demonstrate further learning in the development of a digital and technology solutions

2 evaluate learning against a set of clearly identified needs

As recommended by your supervisor. But as indicative:



Brick, J. et. al, (2018), Academic Success: A Student's Guide to Studying at University: 77 (Macmillan Study Skills), Red Globe Press; 1st edition.

Reid, G. (2021), Effective Study and Learning: How to Help, Luminate

As required and agreed in the learning contract.

Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Learning by Negotiation provides an opportunity for you to develop and/or extend your studies in an area related to the needs of you as a learner or your role as an apprentice. You will work with your employer and the module team to identify are area of development that will benefit your role as a Digital Technology Specialist and then identify a bespoke learning plan and assessment criteria to measure the success of your learning. The learning activities typically include identifying knowledge or skills-based training via workplace or 3rd party materials or drawing from materials from other Level 6 modules offered at the University. You will negotiate a learning contract with a designated supervisor which will then be formally ratified by a panel before you start your study.