module specification

This module provides students with the opportunity to obtain academic credit (15 credits at Level 5) for learning gained through prior or concurrent experience in service-learning activities and employment, which demonstrably contributes towards their portfolio of employable skills, particularly in the area of media work in general. This might include volunteering, peer mentoring or peer assistance, service to community activities, work-based learning gained through student employment initiatives in the University, or generic workplace learning such as part-time or vacation employment. Students must demonstrate how they have developed high-level transferable and career management skills through such activity, or how it has demonstrably contributed towards their engagement with the discipline of Film and Television Studies. The module enables them to articulate these benefits, in order to achieve their career or continuing study goals. 

This module aims to:

• enable students to identify and articulate employability competencies gained through the service-learning or employment activity, particularly in the area of media work in general

• help students plan how these competencies can be further developed and applied to career planning

• allow students to gain accreditation for additional (co- or extra-curricular) activities in which they are involved whilst studying at London Metropolitan University.

There is no formal taught element to this module. However, students will be required to engage with e-learning resources on Weblearn, which will aid the reflective learning experience and provide a structure to the learning outcomes.

Students will also be able and expected to access available skills and career advice workshops delivered by the university’s Department of Student Services, which will be advertised to students taking the module.
In addition to such workshops, students will have a timetabled group advice session early in the Spring semester with the module tutor/s.

Students will also be assigned an individual tutor to whom they can refer queries and whom they can contact for advice whilst they are undertaking their experience (if concurrent).

An initial tutorial will provide students with guidance to ensure their work experience is appropriate and does not impact negatively on other aspects of their study. Students will be advised that the timing of their work experience must not conflict with other taught modules.

A WebLearn module will be established to provide key information links (as per above) to students, including advertising the skills and career advice workshops delivered by the university’s Department of Student Services, which will be advertised to students taking the module.

There will be a timetabled, group session early in the Spring semester with the module tutor/s, to provide students with advice on how to approach their reflective report and skills audit.

Individual tutorials will also be available, by appointment, as well as email contact with tutor/s, for students to raise any queries and seek advice during the semester, and to provide regular liaison with the tutor/s.

During and after the period of the relevant work or activity undertaken by the student, s/he will be expected to keep notes on the entire process. These will contribute towards his/her completion of both the detailed reflective report and the skills audit.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• describe the activities in which they have participated and reflect critically on the various skills and competencies that they have developed through that experience

• evaluate the contribution they have provided to the organisation or activity and critically reflect upon how that learning has assisted them in their academic and/or employability development and career goals

• identify future personal and employability development needs and strategies for fulfilling these goals

• articulate how they have applied theory and transferable skills acquired during their programme of study to activities undertaken in the co/extra-curricular experience.

The portfolio-based assessment for this module is designed to enable students to demonstrate all the learning outcomes, by completing the following items:

• a detailed reflective report (or e-report, via WebLearn) of the service-learning/work experience that identifies and evidences the skills and knowledge gained

• a skills audit based on employability skills that are considered to be essential (e.g. CBI/Universities UK 2009) and which is designed to help students identify strengths and areas for development within various skills areas.

CBI, ‘CBI Education And Skills - Driving the UK Economy by Supporting Education’ (London: CBI, 2011), http://www.cbi.org.uk/business-issues/education-and-skills/.

CBI and Universities UK, ‘Future fit: Preparing graduates for the world of work’ (London: CBI, 2009), http://www.cbi.org.uk/media/478314/3F09467AB8911C8780257583003F3B54__Future%20Fit%20-%20Preparing%20graduates%20for%20the%20world%20of%20work.pdf.

A WebLearn module will also be set up, including:

• a template for student’s detailed reflective report

• key links to Student Services employability information and advice