module specification

This module enables students to undertake a period of work-based learning in relation to their course at Level 5 in an appropriate educational institution, organisation or setting and to gain credit for that learning. Students should have the opportunity to apply, to test and to extend the knowledge that they have gained at all levels of their course in order to deepen their understanding of professional educational practice and enhance employability.
To maximise accessibility, placement context can be flexible, with option for either an in-situ and remote/virtual context. Students with additional support needs are advised and supported via Disabilities and Dyslexia Services and any reasonable adjustments for placement, if appropriate, are included on Individual Needs and Assessment Report (INAR).
Placement opportunities are shared by the Work-based learning unit, including placements within the university. Students unable to find or take up a work placement can request a peer mentoring opportunity and gain an insight into mentoring, coaching and supervision via supporting new Level 4 students on the course. This could represent an important first step that will allow students to build mentoring processes as a component into their subsequent professional lives.

The module aims to give students the opportunity to:
     
● Effectively express and understand their current skills and knowledge in relation to their career values and goals. 
● Practically apply knowledge gained through their course programme in the context of a work or mentoring environment.
● Build an in-depth insight into a work or mentoring environment 
● Make a positive contribution to the employing organisation and demonstrate inclusive workplace practice.
● Enhance and reflect on their personal and professional development in order to apply their learning to their future goals.

Please note:
● Students will be contacted prior to the semester to provide support in securing a work based placement in good time. 
● Students are responsible for applying for opportunities and to engage with the Module Team/Work Based Learning teams to assist them in finding a suitable placement in an educational setting where they can get insight into educational practice. This is very likely to involve a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
● The suitability of any opportunities will be assessed by the Module Team/Work Based Learning Team and all placements must meet Health and Safety requirements for Higher Education Work Placements.
● Those studying on a Student Visa will only be able to complete a work placement if it meets UKVI monitoring requirements including: approval of the placement dates and hours by the Placement Officer prior to starting the placement, submission of weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken, signed by their line manager/supervisor and continued engagement with the Placement Officer as well as the International Student Support and Compliance Team.

Work placements in educational contexts are very likely to involve a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which students will have to obtain and pay for prior to undertaking their placement
Placement form and supporting documentation will need to be provided to Work-based learning unit for placement to be approved.
Available for Study Abroad? NO

Guidance on finding and organising an appropriate setting for work placement, self-assessment of professional skills and knowledge and setting individual objectives. (1)

Rationale for practice-based learning: introduction to experiential learning (2, 3)

Becoming a critically reflective practitioner: harnessing tools including reflective models, collaboration, mentorship, feedback and creative, multimodal approaches to enhance reflection and connect theory to practice (2, 3, 4)

Preparedness for the work-based environment: awareness raising of policy and practice, professionalism and professional standards frameworks, ethical, inclusive, safe and collaborative work-based practice, awareness and sensitivity to own placement context and to the impact of power relations in professional practice, building confidence, accessing support and dealing with challenges (3, 4, 5)

Application of learning from professional practice, engagement with Careers Service and professional networking to inform and support future career action planning, employability, resilience and adaptability in an evolving employment landscape (5)

The module is focussed on and framed by experiential learning and reflective practice is therefore central to the module structure and the assessment strategy.

In the autumn semester, students participate in a series of introductory sessions to support their preparedness for their placement and how to make the most of practice-based learning via critical reflection. Guidance on securing a placement is offered in conjunction with the Work-based learning unit. Students need to liaise with the Work-based learning unit to confirm the details of their placement, providing the necessary documentation and ensuring their DBS check is undertaken if required by the employer. Students are supported in setting their own objectives for their placement, which they set out in a learning agreement (Assessment 01) shared with their placement supervisor and lecturer.

During the placement, students reflect independently on their experiences and observations with respect to their placement objectives and wider professional standards.

Towards the end of the spring semester, there are final feedback and guidance sessions supporting analysis of placement experiences for inclusion in the summative reflection assessment. Students are supported in interpreting their experience in relation to theory and professional educational practice. Tutorials on reflection drafts are offered.

The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) provides supporting material including links to wider careers/employability guidance and further training opportunities.

Student visa holders will not be able to exceed the number of hours on placement stated on the spec. Please ensure the stated hours covers the requirements and please ensure any Student visa holders are not approved for placements which exceed this allowance. Students should contact the visa office for more information

On successful completion of this module students will be able to: 
1. Organise and undertake work experience, set relevant objectives for the placement in the form of a learning agreement (agreed by placement provider or peer, lecturer and student) and work towards meeting these;
2. Analyse an education-related workplace context and draw connections to own university studies and aims;
3. Illustrate how the work-based learning or peer mentoring experience can strengthen, alter or provide an enhanced way of understanding of educational practice, policy and theory; 
4. Critically reflect on placement experience via specific examples of practice, including taking into account inclusive, ethical professional practice and the impact of power relations in professional contexts;
5. Reflect on the experiences gained in relation to future employability.

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