module specification

This Work Based Learning module enables students to undertake a short period of professional activity either: part-time/vacation employment; work placement; not-for-profit sector volunteering or a professional/employer led project.

Work Based Learning modules are designed to enhance students’ personal and professional development and assist in preparing students for their future careers. The module aims to facilitate application and progression of knowledge and skills gained via the learner’s studies and wider life experience. Students will be introduced to a range of professional skills and techniques, including: reflective self-assessment; preparation for employment; being a critical employee and developing approaches for co-operative and collaborative working. 

• Students will be contacted prior to the semester to provide support in securing work based activity in good time.
• It is a student's responsibility to apply for opportunities and to engage with the Work Based Learning team to assist them.
• The suitability of any opportunities will be assessed by the Module Team and all roles must meet the Health and Safety requirements for Higher Education Work Placements.
• Learners may be able to utilise existing employment, providing they can demonstrate it is personally developmental and involves a relevant level of responsibility.
• In addition students may be able to complete the Work Based Learning hours during the summer prior to the academic year a student is taking the module.
• Tier 4 International students will be required to submit weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken for the work based learning activity to meet the requirements of their visa. These will need to be signed by their line manager/supervisor.

The module aims to enable students to:

• Effectively express and understand their current skills and abilities in relation to their career values and goals.
• Practically apply the knowledge gained through their course programme to a work environment.
• Gain an in-depth insight of a work environment
• Make a positive contribution to the employing organisation and demonstrate inclusive workplace practice.
• Recognise their personal and professional development learning and apply to their future goals.

None
 

• Consideration of suitable work based learning activities, including guidance on job application and selection processes and appropriate articulation of their abilities (via pre-semester workshops/appointments). LO1
• Demonstration of confident self-presentation and self-assessment techniques for personal and professional development and resilience. LO1 & LO3
• Professionalism, ethics and inclusive work based practice, being a critical employee, Health and Safety in the workplace, setting personal goals. LO1 & LO2
• Critical self-reflection on personal and professional development, application of their academic learning to the work based learning environment. LO1 & LO3
• Problem solving in the work based environment; investigation and analysis of the immediate environment; personal contribution to the work situation and analysis of the wider goals, aims and functions of the project/organisation. LO2
• Future career action planning following the work based experience, reflecting and preparing for the next steps of their development to achieve career goals through study and additional experience. LO3

The module serves a number of diverse course programmes and is designed to be flexible for a range of subjects and work based environments. Student learning will be developed through individual and group-based activities and will include remote one to one support during the work based learning phase.

• Preparation and application prior to module commencement to assist students in diagnosing their abilities; making decisions about suitable work based activities; guiding to suitable vacancies and producing appropriately targeted applications.
• Class based workshops running in the early part of the module covering work ethics and inclusive work based practice; self-reflection and personal development planning. Group work will encourage discussion of self-reflections and analysis of work based challenge issues with peers and tutors.
• Blended learning: will be via the Virtual Learning Environment during the remote support phase and via the University’s Career Portal and including videos and online practical tasks. 
• Self-reflection: will be covered in class based practical preparation to assess personal abilities and plan for the work based experience and via critical analysis and self-reflection tasks within the assessment.
• Independent study: preparing applications, recording work based activities and completing the assessments.
• Timely Feedback: will be provided on drafts and each piece of assessment will allow students to reflect upon their own practice and learning.
• Post work based learning development: students will be encouraged to further progress their employability in consideration of their graduate careers supported by the Careers & Employability team and online resources via the University Careers Portal.

Students undertaking client brief projects based will be required to attend weekly scheduled supervised sessions to meet the requirements of the briefs.

The learning outcomes are formulated in accordance with the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) UK Quality Code, Advice and Guidance, Work-Based Learning.

1. Analyse and explain their role in the work based experience such that they can evaluate their professional abilities and set personal goals.
2. Evaluate the working environment and explain how they personally contributed and met work based challenges.
3. Critically reflect on the knowledge, skills and experience gained and how they can utilise these in their future academic and professional career.

The module is assessed via formative and summative elements and includes the following:

Work Based Learning Contract (summative and formative assessment)
This component meets Learning Outcome 1:

• Students will be first be required to complete a brief, preparatory online task via the University Careers Portal (formative assessment).
• The Contract template will be provided which will enable demonstration of pre-planning for the achievement of the work based activities via setting personal learning goals and indicating awareness of appropriate professional practice (summative assessment)

Video reflective portfolio (summative assessment) and CV (formative assessment)
This component meets Learning Outcomes 2 and 3:

• Students are required to submit two six minute video files, midway and at the end of the work based learning or other formats if reasonable adjustment is required (summative assessment).
• This assessment will require critical, self-reflection to recognise personal development during the role, contribution to the work based activity and future personal planning.
• Both videos must reflect on the learning goals developed in Assessment 1.
• Video One will require a critical analysis of the work based environment and the students’ contribution to the objectives of the organisation/project, with application of relevant literature. The final video two will be a reflective summary of their skill and knowledge application and development, analysis of how well they met their set goals and planning for the future.
• Formative feedback will be provided on any video plans and following the first video submission.
• Students are additionally required to submit a copy of their CV with the final submission for formative feedback, which includes the work based experience.
• A formative deadline is set for Video 1 of no later than Week 8

Feedback from the line manager / client / supervisor (formative - not assessed)
The student’s employer / line manager will be asked to provide feedback to evaluate the knowledge, skills and attitudes demonstrated by the student and their performance and attendance. 

Assessment Marking and Moderation

• All items of assessment will be first marked by the assigned placement tutor and a sample of the module cohort will be moderated through second marking and external examiner approval. 
• Due to the nature of the assessments, marking will not be undertaken anonymously.

Reading List:
http://londonmet.rl.talis.com/lists/8B36D0DD-CD99-E7E9-7BF5-D95FBF7CFFA8