This module aims to develop your skills and knowledge to help support your learning as a remote/off-campus student.



There are three aspects to the module:



The first aspect develops your appreciation and understanding of academic research and how this underpins your programme of learning and knowledge development. Typical areas within this include - research methodology, scoping and setting a research question, developing aims and objectives, ethics, and undertaking an outline literature review.

The second aspect of the module focuses on the applied/practical skills that are necessary to perform effectively as a remote and independent learner. Typical areas within this include - navigating and searching digital libraries, effective methods and tools for academic referencing, concept/mind mapping tools and techniques, collaborative/remote working: principles, practice and how to make the most of the student-tutor relationship.

The third aspect will involve career exploration in the context of service career and beyond with career management by production of a career action plan.



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 essay based on a technical subject in the realms of Computing, the essay question will change every semester but will be situated in the general area of current computing and network-based research (Learning Outcomes 1 and 2).

Career Reflection – A reflective written report on the individual’s career to date and including an action plan for moving forward for the next 5-years (Learning Outcomes 3 and 4).

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.

1. DEMONSTRATE A CRITICAL AWARENESS OF PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE THAT GUIDE AND SUPPORT ACADEMIC RESEARCH.

Enquiry,
Learning



2. PRODUCE AN ACADEMIC REPORT THROUGH THE SYNTHESIS OF A RANGE OF ACADEMIC AND OTHER SOURCES.

Communication,
Enquiry,
Learning



3. DEMONSTRATE DEVELOPMENT OF INDEPENDENT LEARNING SKILLS.

Enquiry,
Reflection



4. USE A RANGE OF METHODS OF ENQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, DEVELOP AND CRITICALLY EVALUATE CAREER AND IMPROVE FUTURE EMPLOYABILITY.

Knowledge and Understanding,
Enquiry,
Reflection

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)

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

Cottrell, S., (2011) Critical Thinking Skills: developing effective analysis and argument, 3rd 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

Trotman Education, (2022), Careers 2022, Trotman Education; 18th edition

Sosna, E. (2021), The Career Equation: Coaching a Culture of Career Conversations, Open University Press

Newton, A, J. (2021), Start a Successful Career Today in Information Technology: Computer Science + Computer Engineering Career Guide, Independently published

Harbash, R. (2019), Professional Practice in Engineering and Computing: Preparing for Future Careers, CRC Press; 1st edition

Cornwell, D. (2020), Software Company: Advice on how to start, grow and exit a software company, Beaten Metal Books Ltd

Blackboard VLE Library facilities

Office 365

Must have attended a Course Briefing Day and be approved for entry to the module by the Course Leader

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 module also reflects on your career, and how you can plan to move this forwards in future.