LD7239 - Part Time pre-dissertation (Academic and Employability Skills)

The emphasis in terms of academic skills and employability will be on the development of reflective practice including its practical deployment, experience of writing critically and being able to demonstrate reflective practice and experiential learning within the development of this writing. Equally, explicit development of and practice in everyday academic skills such as those involved with presentations (preparation and presentation) and time management. Throughout this module, students will explore the significance of continual learning and craft a personalized plan for their professional growth and career advancement.

There is a cover of key academic skills, followed by a focus on support for writing the dissertation proposal. Students will also develop electronic referencing skills. The emphasis will be on the development of reflective practice and providing opportunities for its practical deployment, the experience of writing critically and being able to demonstrate reflective practice and experiential learning within the development of this writing. Equally, explicit development of and practice in academic and employability skills preparing for and collaborating on team presentations. This requires high levels of participation both individually and in small diverse groups or teams. Suggestions for pre and post-session guided and independent learning resources will be provided so that participants can prepare for, review and reflect on the session. All materials and appropriate additional resources will be accessible on the eLP site.

A range of approaches are adopted to accelerate your learning in this module.

You will learn through a combination of Seminars, workshops, and activities delivered by seminar tutors.
 
E-Reading Lists 
The module will also have an e-reading list which directs learners to specific reading for each session.  This includes direct access to repositories, journal articles and other academic sources. You will also be provided with access to a significant set of academic research sources via the Northumbria University library portal. 
 
You will also have opportunities to receive formative feedback from your tutor in response to opinions you express and issues you raise during workshop sessions and face-to-face or online tutorials.  These formative feedback sessions are formally scheduled at key points throughout the module.

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:

• Knowledge and understanding of a range of hard and soft skills and competencies required for research and employability

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

• Read and listen critically, and use a variety of information sources effectively
• Recognise and apply the conventions of academic writing and research, and write critically within an academic context

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

• Assess personal strengths and weaknesses in relation to academic study and language skills, and identify strategies that can be used to further develop skills

The module is assessed by attendance (Pass/Fail).

Attendance of 70% of the timetabled sessions* is required.

Formative Assessment:
You are expected to participate in a combination of 1-2 formative written assignments that are provided. Formative assessment will take place through group work, discussion, specific academic language tasks, and text modelling as appropriate.


Feedback:
Class discussion and tutor feedback on in class exercises will support your learning and provide guidance for the summative assessments. Written feedback will be provided on summative assessed work. For presentation, feedback will be supplemented with verbal comment and discussion.


* (If you have valid grounds for non-attendance [such as illness], then appropriate documentary evidence [such as a doctor's letter] must be provided to the module tutor at the following session. Any anticipated non-attendance [for example, for an interview] must be approved by the module tutor in advance.)

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This module is designed to boost your academic confidence and equip you with essential skills for future success. Dive into a rich learning experience that leverages cutting-edge technology and comprehensive assessment and feedback mechanisms. You'll explore Northumbria's state-of-the-art learning resources, enhancing your academic reading, writing, and study effectiveness. Develop critical thinking, ethical practice, and advanced communication skills while mastering digital and information literacy. Engage in professional and career development activities, fostering lifelong learning and intercultural competence. The module also emphasizes employability and entrepreneurship, preparing you for diverse career paths. Key topics include time management, reflective thinking, effective teamworking, and synthesizing information from multiple sources. Benefit from additional careers and employability workshops, ensuring you're well-prepared for the professional world. This module promises a transformative journey, empowering you with the skills and confidence needed to thrive academically and professionally.