module specification

This Professional Practice module will enhance the students’ understanding of what it means to be a business professional. This module will support the preparation for their future career by encouraging them to develop, put into practice and evidence the skills and behaviours that employers want to see.

The ‘Professional Practice’ approach ensures that as a developing professional the students understand how to learn effectively and efficiently either in the workplace or in a simulated context. They also learn how to use all the resources available to reflect on their progress. This module involves planning, conducting and reflecting on their own ‘performance episodes*’ and a more general reflection on their overall professional development to date. The written reports and reflections become part of their growth and productivity E-portfolio** which they will maintain throughout their programme.

In addition, they will have the opportunity to test, review and evidence their skills development via the on-line resources provided throughout the programme, which support the general skills required by employers. As such this module aims to,

1. Build understanding of the expected workplace knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes so that they become intrinsic performance and growth motivators.

2. Ensure the adoption of skills, attitudes and behaviours that improve self-awareness to aid reflective practice.

*A performance episode is defined as an initiative that the students take, made up of tasks, which develops their skills, and which involves both selecting knowledge from the programme and interacting with others. It must be measurable so that they are able to reflect on their professional skills development.

** The growth and productivity E-portfolio is a digital internet-based tool within which they will store all evidence of their Weekly via learning log, feedback from stakeholders, their reflections. It allows them to share their journey with others and to organise elements of it to help them progress further.

Standard university requirements for Level 4 entry

Indicated LO addressed LO,LO2

• Knowledge, skills and behaviour assessment
• Work context analysis
• Learning processes and Learning trajectories as vital to career WBL
• The nature of professional knowledge
• Using knowledge in practice
• Reflective practice

Delivery of the module will consist of lectures and contextual seminars. The module will be student centred. Students will be encouraged to reflect and discuss in addition to module materials including newspapers, textbooks and on-line sources to identify aspects relevant to their areas of study.

Sessions will provide the opportunity for the whole class to come together and to interact with the lecturer who will provide the theories and help to expedite the student’s professional development. There might be opportunity for occasional industry related field trips to develop students’ understanding of practiced based work environment.

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

LO1. Demonstrate understanding, review and reflect upon the skills, behaviours and attitudes needed to perform current and/or future roles within the profession and demonstrate an ability to self-organise and communicate information clearly and effectively.

LO2. Demonstrate understanding of stakeholder feedback and self-review as a source of reflection and further learning and challenges.

Reading Material can be accessed from here:

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/CFA4E265-A228-7C92-3543-05B9742906A8.html?embed=1&lti

Core Texts:

Armstrong, M. (2017) How to be an Even Better Manager: A Complete A-Z of Proven Techniques and Essential Skills. 10th edn, London: Kogan Page.

Bolton, G. (2018) Reflective Practice; Writing and Professional Development. 5th edn. London: Sage.                                             

Other Texts:

Durrant, A., Rhodes, G. and Young, D. (2011) Getting started with university-level work based learning. UK: Middlesex University Press.
 
Owen, J. (2017) The Mindset of Success: Accelerate Your Career from Good Manager to Great Leader. 2nd edn. London: Kogan Page.

Journals:

Journal of Higher Education, Skills and Work based Learning
Journal of Management Learning
Journal of Management Learning
Academic and Professional Articles:

Raelin, J.A. (1997) ‘A model of work-based learning’, Organization Science, 8(6), pp.563-578.

Journal of Higher Education, Skills and Work based Learning
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/heswbl

Journal of Management Learning
mlq.sagepub.com/

Academy of Management Learning and Education
http://aom.org/Publications/AMLE/Academy-of-Management-Learning---Education.aspx

Websites: to be provided in class/Weblearn

Electronic Databases: to be provided in class/Weblearn

Social Media Source: to be provided in class/Weblearn