Assessment 1 - (20%) Project Plan
A short written proposal for a research project on a theme associated with your chosen creative industry, with defined timescales and project deadlines (typically 500 words).
[Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4]

Assessment 2 - (30%) Report
A fully referenced written research report on the subject proposed in assessment 1 (typically 1,000 words).
[Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4]

Assessment 3 - (50%) Presentation
The presentation of an online resource that you have developed for the purpose of communicating your knowledge, skill and creative output to a specific target audience.
[Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 ,4]

Final Assessment: Assessment 3

Formative assessment -
Participation in group discussions about different research and communication methods, and the differences between different forms of written communication, including report writing, technical document writing, essay styles, email communication and social media. Participation in technical workshops for the creation of an online resource.

This module is designed to give you the tools you need to carry out your studies and remain on target with your work, whilst always planning for success. The module is made up of short activities so that you can get feedback quickly and understand how to work at the right level.

The module covers two areas. The first deals with working at an appropriate academic level using the correct format for written work and presentations. The second area of focus equips you with the fundamental skills to effectively present yourself and your creative work to a wider audience.

Throughout your course you will be expected to use particular styles of written, verbal and visual presentation when delivering your work, so this module helps you do this in a range of ways. Everything you do in this module will be placed in the context of your chosen creative subject and will relate to the industry. The module will allow you to explore and practice a range of writing forms. You will learn the differences between report writing, formal essays, technical documents, social media, email, application letters, etc. and why they should be used for different purposes and audiences. You will be expected to contribute to group discussions on written communication, have examples of different styles and keep notes on the appropriate form of communication so that you will be able to use the style most suited to the work you are carrying out, both whilst studying and later in a professional environment.

You will also be able to explore a range of study skills in order to enhance your progression through the course and develop practical skills suited to working in the industry. Research methods will form a core part of the module. You will plan and undertake a short research project on a theme associated with your chosen creative industry so that you can apply research methods and gain feedback from tutors to help you develop your writing and study skills.

How you communicate your ideas will be discussed, with consideration of the appropriate method for the intended purpose. This will include how to write using Harvard referencing to acknowledge the sources you have used for your research, as Harvard referencing is the University's expected method. This will help you establish a good approach to writing and help you avoid plagiarism, which will also be explained as part of the module.

You will be encouraged to evaluate your own understanding of your work, and your responsibilities relating to your learning, as this will become increasingly important as you progress through the course. This approach is usually called reflective learning and can be a powerful way to analyse and continually enrich your learning experience and professional development.

The other strand of the module will equip you with the tools you need to present yourself effectively in terms of your knowledge, skill and creative output, via both traditional methods of presentation and appropriate online platforms. These might include a Powerpoint / Prezi presentation, an e-folio, a website incorporating a video show reel, or a social media presence. The format will be relevant to your chosen creative subject and the audience you are intending to reach. Your tutor will guide your regarding the most appropriate method.

A presentation of your online platform will be part of the module and you will be expected to talk about your options, and justify your choices with regards to content, format, technical and design decisions.

It will be necessary to carry out a substantial amount of work in your own time, and you may draw upon a wide range of sources for the assessment material, including information from your workplace and personal experience.

Learning in this module will be facilitated through a combination of lectures and demonstrations followed by hands-on practical activities. There will be a mix of group and independent work, both in-class and through directed study as an extension to timetabled sessions. The emphasis will be on the acquisition of a diverse range of study skills and learning will be monitored through your response to short tasks in order that you can gain frequent prompt formative feedback.
Activities will typically include the following:
• Library induction and introduction to study skills
• Time management
• Group tutorials and critiques with formative feedback
• Individual tutorials
• Managing self-directed study
• Research methods
• Information retrieval demonstrations & workshops
• Harvard referencing and avoiding academic misconduct (including plagiarism)
• Writing skills workshops (including note-taking, reports, essays, traditional and new media correspondence
• Reflective practice, critical review and evaluation
• Action panning and target setting
• Presentation skills workshops, including traditional and digital methods

Students will have access to lecture and workshop space, computer and library resources. University learning resources are available on campus and online via the university website.

http://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/libraryresources

Audience Dialogue (Unknown) Learning Journals [online] Available from
http://www.audiencedialogue.net/journal.html
Cottrell, S. (2013). Study Skills Handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Cottrell, S. (2011). Critical Thinking Skills. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Moon, J. (2000). Reflection in Learning and Professional Development. London: Routledge.
Smith, Mark (2013), ‘Keeping a learning journal. A guide for educators and social practitioners’, the encyclopaedia of informal education. [online] Available from http://infed.org/mobi/writing-and-keeping-journals-a-guide-for-educators-and-social-practitioners/

Staffordshire University Online Resources
Academic Skills Guides:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/infoservices/learning_support/academic_skills/
Harvard Referencing Guide:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/infoservices/learning_support/refzone/harvard/index.jsp

1. IDENTIFY AREAS OF INVESTIGATION TO SUPPORT YOUR STUDY, AND ACCESS A RANGE OF INFORMATION SOURCES. INTERPRET INFORMATION, EVALUATING ITS USEFULNESS IN RELATION TO YOUR INTENTIONS.
[Enquiry]

2. MAKE SOUND JUDGMENTS IN ORDER TO ACCESS AND TRANSLATE INFORMATION, AND DEMONSTRATE SKILLS REQUIRED TO PRESENT KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS TO DIFFERENT AUDIENCES USING APPROPRIATE METHODS.
[Learning]

3. USE A RANGE OF METHODS TO CONVEY THE RESULTS OF YOUR WORK ACCURATELY, RELIABLY AND WITH STRUCTURE AND COHERENCE. USE DIFFERENT FORMS OF VERBAL AND VISUAL EXPRESSION IN WAYS THAT SUIT DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND AUDIENCES.
[Communication]

4. DRAW UPON A RANGE OF RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION PROCESSES AND SKILLS IN ORDER TO PRESENT INFORMATION IN SUITABLE FORMATS FOR A RANGE OF PURPOSES.
[Application]