NX9308 - Professional Development for Responsible Management Practice

The module involves a weekly one-hour seminar to introduce the core subject content and presentation of the learning materials. You should organise your time to re-read seminar notes and reflect on the content, especially any new theoretical models and terms. You will also have a weekly two-hour workshop and one hour studio session to explore the topics areas further and where you will be able to undertake practical work, debates and interact with your peers and academic staff to ask questions, reflect on the topic and gain further support and advice.

Northumbria University aims to provide you with an enriching learning journey through your studies and will support you in your learning through a variety of learning methodologies, including remote and blended learning. All modules resources will be available online should you not be able to access campus, and the University has one of the largest collections of e-learning materials in the UK. This is an example of how the University is anticipating the future, and how you may wish to access learning materials. You will engage with tutors via email and through Blackboard’s Collaborative online video-conferencing facility. The discussion board on Blackboard will enable you to share your ideas and learn from others. Learning in an online environment can be very enjoyable and stimulating.

The Foundation Programme is designed to promote your independent research-rich skills. You will be expected to read beyond the reading list and extend your understanding through research using academic journals, text-books and electronic resources from the Library. You will also participate in paired/group-work that is aimed to develop your team-working and interpersonal skills as a future manager. The learning philosophy of the Programme is influenced by an inquiry-based independent research approach which is both enjoyable and stimulating. Whereas many students may have been told what to do at school or college, we aim to encourage you to become much more independent and control the way you learn and that fits into your own personal; preferences. We recognise that you are an adult and wish to prepare for your future, so we place great emphasis on you developing your own personal responsibility as a learner. This means that instead of relying on your tutor to tell you what to do, you engage proactively with your tutors and discuss what possible approaches are available, what resources could be used and then take control of your learning. For example, you will be required to manage your own reading and note-taking, as well as planning your schedule for study. As part of the research-rich approach (i.e. research oriented), you will be expected to apply theory to a real world context and be able to make linkages between what you have read and what you see in practice. Much of the literature on management development refers to the volatile and uncertain world we now work in, in order to prepare you for your future in management, we want you to become much more independent in learning and able to respond imaginatively to change. This is a key life-skill that we will promote here at Northumbria. You will be encouraged to undertake independent research and develop the skills associated with being a research-rich, lifelong learner. You should plan to undertake at least 10 hours independent reading and note-making each week for this module.

You should take on board the formative and summative comments from staff and identify your own action points as you progress through the Programme. We would like you to see assessment in wider terms of learning, not just a mark on a piece of paper. Assessment is important in changing our ideas and helping us move in a better direction, so take on board formative comments during seminars and reflect on those comments on your summative assignment. It is important that you see each assignment as an opportunity to build your confidence as well as knowledge.
You will be provided with a teaching and learning plan to direct your reading and preparation which you will be able to access through an online reading list on the modules Blackboard site and through the Library website. There will also be multimedia support available through the teaching and learning plan, where you will be directed to access a range of videos and other resources.

Personal tutor meetings will form part of the workshops and studio sessions and you will be given the opportunity to participate in individual and group tutorials to support your learning and development throughout the Foundation Year.

You will be asked to prepare work prior to the workshops which will be directed in the teaching and learning plan and found through the modules Blackboard site. You will be encouraged by your lecturer to develop your research skills through undertaking at least 10 hours independent reading and note-making each week for this module.

Academic staff are drawn from a range of disciplines within the Newcastle Business School, many of whom have expertise in Leadership, Management and Business Practice. Many have extensive professional experience that they bring to your learning experience, whether this is in the way of previous teaching or management practice in a work-based environment.

The directed activities you undertake on the module are designed to ensure that you and the lecturing staff are the co-creators of knowledge. They will encourage you to create an active and self-directed learning experience, which will allow you to take responsibility for your own learning, whilst still having a high level of support. Support will be provided to you by the member of academic staff leading the module and providing the lectures and seminars. You will also have the support of the programme leader and support staff at the University.

Your module is supported by an e-learning portal (Blackboard Ultra), which houses the teaching and learning plan, learning materials and recordings, workshop and seminar exercises, assessment information, and details of additional resources such as online recordings and videos.

The modules online reading list can be reached through the Blackboard Ultra site. This list provides you with a comprehensive list of links from which to access all of the modules eBooks, news resources, and directed learning academic articles. The module’s Blackboard site also has a discussion board, where the module tutor and lecturers will post important information about the module throughout the semester. Blackboard Ultra is therefore central to your learning journey as it is a one-stop location for resources and guidance.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
ML01: Develop key study skills and recognise their importance in academic development and success.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
ML02: Demonstrate an ability to develop transferrable employability skills through engaging in academic and professional development opportunities

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
ML03: Demonstrate an ability to reflect and respond to feedback

Formative assessments will be undertaken throughout the semester and formative feedback provided which can be reflected on prior to submission of the summative assessment (ML03). Feedback to be provided orally in workshops and tutorials.

Summative assessment to comprise of a Portfolio of Development undertaken throughout Semester 1 to assess all module learning outcomes (ML01) (MLO2) (MLO3). Submission and feedback to be provided electronically.

None

None

As a new student in Higher Education, your key to academic development and success is to become an effective learner. This involves fostering key study skills and personal development which is closely aligned to your future career readiness and employability. Through engaging with this module, you will develop academic skills which are transferable to your future employment. This includes understanding your own individual strengths and weaknesses and developing an action plan as a platform to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding.

Through a combination of seminars, workshops and tutorials, you will learn in a friendly, interactive and inclusive environment. This approach to learning will develop your academic skills and further develop essential transferrable skills for success both at University and in the world of work. This includes enhancing your personal confidence, teamwork and collaboration, self-belief and independent learning. The generation of knowledge through workshop activities will further support this module.

In this module you will be assessed via a portfolio of development which will evolve throughout semester 1. The portfolio will outline your learning with a focus on both skills and knowledge generation and will link to your engagement with personal tutor meetings. Above all, this module will be the starting point to develop you individually to ensure you are in the best position to take advantage of the opportunities both within Higher Education and your future employment.