Module Information
Course Delivery
Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
---|---|
Lecture | 2 x 1 hour lectures |
Lecture | 2 x 1 hour lectures |
Assessment
Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
---|---|---|
Semester Assessment | Portfolio | 100% |
Supplementary Assessment | Candidates must take elements that are equivalent to those that led to failure of the module | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Reflect in depth on workplace experience
2. Identify strengths and weaknesses and identify strategies for addressing the latter
3. Communicate experience in ways expected by employers
4. Plan for a future career-enhancing strategy
5. Develop and maintain a portfolio for future reflection on work experiences beyond the end of the module
Brief description
Students will be expected to complete 50 hours of approved voluntary or paid work (part time or full time) experience during year 2 and its associated vacations. Students will keep a reflective diary during their time working and complete as series of online formative assessments. At the end of the working period, students will submit a portfolio in which they reflect on their experience, identify skills which need to be developed (and opportunities for this) and create a SMART plan, as part of a work experience portfolio, aimed at further enhancing their employability during year 3 and beyond.
Content
Experience gained on those schemes (for example Agriculture) which already have mandatory placements can be used as the basis for this module. For schemes lacking work placements, coordinators are at liberty to identify degree-related work placements if they feel this is academically desirable and can be provided for all of the students taking their degree. This will be the responsibility of scheme coordinators.
Students will keep a reflective diary for the first 50 hours of their work. A pro-forma will be provided and students will be expected to make an entry once per working day (or contiguous 8 hour period if part-time). Students will be supported by online resources (provided on Blackboard (and as downloadable/printable packages for those who do not have internet access). The reflective diary will form part of their portfolio.
Once 50 hours of experience have been completed, students will undertake a series of online exercises aimed at raising awareness of the skills they have developed, the way in which these are perceived by employers and how their achievements can be communicated. The exercises will be developed in consultation with CAS and CCS and will be assessed (as multiple-choice questions). The exercises will conform to the eight skills categories identified by the university and students will be required to complete the four most relevant to their job.
Students will also be expected to compile a portfolio containing (in addition to the journal):
a. evidence of the work period
b. a completed skills audit (based on the current APPR)
c. evidence of engagement with CAS during year 2
d. a SMART plan of action identifying steps to be taken in year 3
e. a CV incorporating the experience gained during the placement.
Appropriate templates will be provided which will allow students to build further work experience into the portfolio which will expand and remain a resource long after the end of the module.
Module Skills
Skills Type | Skills details |
---|---|
Application of Number | |
Communication | Communicating work-related experiences and skills development in an employer friendly way (CV) |
Improving own Learning and Performance | Reflecting on experiences, identifying skills deficits and opportunities for skills improvement (reflective diary and plan) |
Information Technology | |
Personal Development and Career planning | Reflecting on achievements/experiences and integrating these into their CV supported by engagement with CAS and production of a career enhancement plan |
Problem solving | |
Research skills | Identifying further opportunities for development in their career enhancement plan |
Subject Specific Skills | |
Team work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5