This module aims to provide students with an informed employment perspective which will help them articulate and develop their understanding of your own workplace. In particular, to become more aware of the demands made on you, their work and of how such workplaces are changing. It will also enable students to identify and understand the full range of key, transferable and generic skills relevant to within education.

Furthermore, this module will prepare students for studies at Higher Education level. The module will introduce students to a range of skills and knowledge needed to express their personal experiences and thoughts within written assessments.

Topics in this part of the module will cover:- critical thinking; referencing; argument and discussion; finding resources and reflection.

The learning strategy for the module requires students to commit 300 hours (including assessment) over approximately 14 weeks of study, including 10 x 3 hour formal taught sessions. Of this, 30 hours will be provided by tutor support and 270 hours of self-directed study. Of this 270, 30 hours will be expected to be spent on the course VLE, which will contain a range of appropriate course documents and further reading for students. Learning support will be provided for the module.

30 hours class contact time will include :-
Tutor led sessions - 10 hours
Group discussions - 15 hours
Student presentations - 5 hours
(approximate times allocated)

VLE : Classroom with projectort and Internet capability. Access to library services

Hammersley-Fletcher, Lowe, Pugh (2006) The Teaching Assistant's Guide: An Essential Textbook for Foundation Degree Students. Routledge Falmer
Bedford & Wilson (2006) Study Skills for Foundation Degrees. David Fulton
DfES. (2000) Supporting the Teaching Assistant - A Good Practice Guide.
DfES. (2000) Working with Teaching Assistants - A Good Practice Guide.
Kay, J. (2005) Teaching Assistant's Handbook. Continuum
Gillespie, H (2006) Unlocking Learning and Teaching with ICT, Identifying and Overcoming Barriers. David Fulton
Lumby J, Foskett N (2005) 14-19 Education. Sage

In order to pass this first module, students will be required to prepare and submit the first two parts of an ongoing Personal Professional Development Portfolio. These two parts (equivalent to 3000 words in total) will consist of:-

Part 1 - An analysis of the skills, knowledge and understanding required for student's specific work situation (Assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, and 3)
Part 2 - An individual action plan identify your position in relation to these and showing how students intend to develop skills, knowledge and understanding through the programme, followed by a summative report. (Assesses Learning Outcome 4)