Workplace Learning
| Module title | Workplace Learning |
|---|---|
| Module code | LES2002 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Catherine Leyshon (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | (60 hours during stage 2 - over summer and term 1) |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
In the current economic climate, a good degree is not always enough to secure graduate level employment. Employers are looking for graduates who can demonstrate that they have the necessary skills, independence and enthusiasm to succeed, and will therefore favour those who have obtained relevant work experience during their degree. This module will provide you with an opportunity to get ahead of the crowd by gaining practical experience in a real life working environment. You will apply for a placement position with a relevant organisation, and spend 70 hours in the workplace (either full-time or part-time, depending on when the placement is conducted). Feedback and support will be provided by the module coordinator and the placement host. This module provides a valuable opportunity for you to build confidence, develop transferable skills and enhance your CV, all of which will improve your career prospects after graduation.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will provide you with practical experience in the work place, with the aim of developing valuable transferable skills and enhancing future employability. You will practice searching for jobs, and writing CVs, application forms and cover letters. You will also spend a minimum of 60 hours working with your chosen organisation, which will allow you to gain CV-enhancing work experience, make contacts and build confidence. You will gain feedback on both your application and performance in the workplace, and will also be encouraged to evaluate your experience and demonstrate how the skills learnt will benefit you in the future.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Compose an effective and well-presented CV, complete with supporting letter, making clear links between your experience and the job description
- 2. Explain what the placement organisation does, how it is managed and how it seeks to achieve its goals
- 3. Describe your role in the organisation, together with an awareness of statutory (e.g. health and safety) regulations
- 4. Interact effectively with colleagues in the workplace
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Outline the career paths available to students with a degree in Biosciences and Geography
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Illustrate the transferable skills gained during your degree and how these can enhance future employability
- 7. Evaluate your own learning and performance in the work placement, demonstrating how the skills learnt are transferable to other contexts
- 8. Communicate ideas, principles and theories fluently using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 9. With some guidance, study autonomously and gather and organise information from appropriate sources
- 10. Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to professional and practical skills, and apply own evaluation criteria
Syllabus plan
The module is focused on learning by experience, mimicking the job application process and providing experience in the workplace. You are given support and feedback when applying for positions and upon completion of the placement. You will also give an oral presentation on completion of the placement, outlining the nature of the placement and what you have learned. You will also write a reflective review, outlining the skills gained during your work placement, and how you will take the experience forward as part of your career planning process. Your performance will be appraised by the module coordinator and you will be offered formative feedback from the host organisation. If you take this module you must have a placement position organised by the start of your second year.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 84 | 60 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Student learning and teaching | 6 | One introductory lecture, in which the you are told what you will gain from the module, and how to behave professionally in the workplace, one on networking, one on writing a job application and one on giving a successful oral presentation |
| Guided independent study | 84 | Searching for suitable work placements and conducting additional reading in preparation for module assessments |
| Placement | 60 | Practical experience working with an independent organisation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host evaluation | Performance during work placement | 1-4 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | 0 | 35 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job application | 30 | 3 page application form | 1-3, 5-6, 8-9 | Written |
| Oral presentation | 35 | 10 minutes | 1-4, 5-9 | Written |
| Reflective review | 35 | 1500 words | 1-3, 5-10 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job application | Separate job application | 1-3, 5-9 | August assessment period |
| Oral presentation | Oral presentation | 1-4, 5-9 | August assessment period |
| Reflective review | Reflective review | 1-3, 5-10 | August assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to to submit a further assessment. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Cottrell, S. (2003), Skills for Success: The Personal Development Handbook. Palgrave Macmillan
- Fanthome, C. (2004) Work Placements: A survival guide for students. Palgrave
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 20/02/2015 |
| Last revision date | 21/08/2020 |
