AC6749 - Understanding and developing evidence for practice

You will experience a variety of teaching and learning methods on this module which you can use to link theory to your practice. Your learning will occur through lectures, seminars, and independent study. However, the range of methods will also include online learning, group work and discussion including campus delivery. The subject matter lends itself to evidence-based enquiry and debate with a practice-based focus, and your tutor will guide and encourage you in this learning method.

You will be supported through regular feedback from your tutor, within the seminar and discussion format of specific teaching sessions and in tutorials. Peer review and formative feedback will be utilised throughout the delivery and during formative assessment. In addition, a discussion board for your module will be established on Northumbria University’s eLearning platform ‘Blackboard Ultra’ (BBU), BBU also allows remote access to materials and aids for module students to access (populated, managed and kept up to date by your module tutor). You will be supported throughout the programme by your personal tutor.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Select and critically analyse different types of evidence, data, and information to inform health & social practice.
2. Accurately deploy established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline to evaluate health and social practice.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Engage in the effective use of ICT to facilitate professional development and communication.
4. Evaluate health & social practice dilemmas and concepts, and appropriately articulate information and ideas to varying audiences.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Develop self-directed learning skills in order to formulate strategies for lifelong learning and improvement of health & social practice.

Formative assessment will take place in the form of student led seminars. This will enable the student to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes and the synthesis of theory and practice. A formative 10-minute presentation to peers will inform the student’s summative submission and offer a feedback opportunity to improve their evidence of learning through reflection and constructive feedback.
Summative assessment will consist of an evaluation of evidence, contextualised to the student’s area of practice, relating to an aspect of health and social practice delivery of the student’s choosing. This will be a digital submission of a 2500-word essay via Turnitin.
Feedback will be provided electronically via Turnitin and will include development advice for future academic work (MLO 1-5).

Entry Diploma of HE (120xL5) with professional registration with relevant PSRB
OR Advanced Diploma (120xL5 + 60xL6) with professional registration wi

The Module ‘Understanding and evidence for practice’ is a module of study designed to support individuals working in health and social practice wishing to demonstrate underpinning of your practice, and to gain a deeper understanding of your own use of evidence and knowledge in your daily practice. The module will enable you to critically reflect on your existing knowledge and skills challenging existing behaviours and practice through exposure to innovative ideas and frameworks relevant to health and social practice. Use of the current evidence base and research in increasing awareness and evaluative skills in both of these areas is essential in improving health and social practice. Assessment is by both formative presentation and summative written assignment which will demonstrate acquired knowledge of these complex areas, contextualised, and focussed on your own area of practice.