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 developing the question to be used as part of the follow on thesis module, this will need research to ascertain the requirements and feasibility of the title/question and develop the methodology and aims and objectives ready for the thesis.



BCS (British Computer Society) criteria of:

Careers SFIAplus

The function of economics on systems and architecture

System documentation - plans, requirements and specifications

Legal, social, ethical, and professional issues within the computing industry

Design process models and trade offs

Risk assessment and forward thinking

Team organisation, team-working, and effectiveness of individual roles within

Professional practices in the computing domain

Solution support and customer care

Utilisation of accepted computing standards



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

Thesis proposal - The assessment will be a single document that will demonstrate the feasibility of a chosen thesis title / or question that will form the focus for the follow on thesis module. The proposal will outline the methodology and research needed to answer the title / question that has been identified, as well as the planning and management behind the project. The assessment will be approximately 4000-words in length and be a single document in format (Learning Outcomes 1 to 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 IN A CHOSEN SUBJECT AREA RELATED TO OPERATIONS AND TACTICS.

Enquiry,
Learning, Analysis



2. PRODUCE AN ACADEMIC PROPOSAL THROUGH THE SYNTHESIS OF A RANGE OF ACADEMIC AND OTHER SOURCES TO RAISE A QUESTION FOR FURTHER RESEARCH REGARDING THE OPERATIONS AND TACTICS WITHIN THE CHOSEN FIELD.

Communication,
Enquiry,
Learning



3. DEMONSTRATE DEVELOPMENT OF INDEPENDENT LEARNING IN CONSIDERATION WITH YOUR CAREER, AND INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS IN SCOPING REQUIREMENTS FOR A PRACTICAL ARTEFACT SOLUTION.

Enquiry,
Reflection, Problem Solving



4. USE A RANGE OF METHODS OF ENQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE AND PROPOSE A QUESTION AND CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.

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:



Brookfield, C. and Lewis, J. (2022) Plan your dissertation. London: SAGE.

Cottrell, S., (2019) The Study Skills Handbook, 5th Edition, Hampshire: Palgrave Study Guides, ISBN: 9781137610898

Carter, S., Guerin, C. and Aitchison, C. (2020) Doctoral Writing: Practices, Processes and Pleasures. Singapore: Springer Singapore Pte. Limited. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1808-9.

McMillan, K (2012) How to improve your critical thinking and reflective skills, 2nd Edition, Essex: Pearson Education Ltd, ISBN: 9780273773320

Moon, J (2007) Critical Thinking: An Exploration of Theory and Practice, London & New York: Routledge, ISBN 0203944887

Cottrell, S., (2011) Critical Thinking Skills: developing effective analysis and argument, 3rd Edition, Hampshire: Palgrave Study Guides, ISBN: 9781137550521

Creme, P. and Lea, M.R., (2008) Writing at University, 3rd Edition, Open University Press, ISBN: 9780335221165

McMillan, K. and Weyers, J., (2007) How to write essays & assignments, Harlow: Pearson Prentice Hall, ISBN: 9780273713579

Blackboard VLE Library facilities

Office 365

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

The module will teach students about research methodology and how to write academically in preparation for developing a thesis. The assessment is the creation of a negotiated subject proposal that will be used to identify a thesis title to pursue after completion of this module. The proposal will be related to an area of the students working environment and have its learning level objectives set around this.



The module will help in dispelling the myths and concerns of how a student should approach study by adopting a principle-based approach that draws on existing skills and knowledge, and thus provides clear guidance on how to develop and undertake academic research to support off-campus learning.