This module is designed to help you transition from sixth-form and/or Further Education (FE) study to Higher Education (HE) study and to prepare you for the learning that lies ahead. The two learning environments, and what is expected of you in those two environments, are very different, and this needs to be clearly understood by you if you are to obtain the maximum benefit from your HE course of study.
The module will explore the differences between the two environments, explain the professional skills and personal attributes needed to successfully complete an HE programme and lay foundations for second and third year modules and life after completion of the programme; be that employment or further study. Basic research, report writing, referencing, use of IT, maintaining digital records, the fundamentals of working in teams, maintaining a study journal, understanding and using feedback, reflection and professional development will all be covered in scheduled learning sessions that will comprise a mixture of presentation, lecture, discussion, workshop and tutorial. You will be expected to devote time outside the schedule sessions to prepare for discussions and workshops, to maintain a study journal and to produce a portfolio of evidence. The journal and the portfolio will be used for both summative and formative assessment of the module and will provide a record and examples of work that can be used at personal tutor meetings.
The skills gained in this module will be further developed and extended in AE5004 Professional Practice for Aircraft Engineers which is delivered in the second year of the programme.
The aims of this module are to:
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The curriculum for this module includes but is not limited to:
This module will be delivered year-long and is designed to link with the other three modules delivered in the first year of the programme. The learning outcomes of this module will be achieved primarily through directed study with close tutor support. However, a number of learning sessions will be scheduled at the start of the year to introduce the various topics, brief students on the study journal and to ensure students are aware of the requirements of the module and what is expected of them. The learning sessions will comprise a mixture of presentation, lecture, discussion, workshop and tutorial as appropriate to the material being delivered. Learning session after this period will be used for individual and/or group tutorials and the delivery of additional learning as necessary.
The study journal and portfolio are at the heart of this module. The journal will be used to record research, study, practical exercises and data etc. and also to reflect on learning activities, progress and feedback. The portfolio will be used to collate specific examples of different types of work and documents. Students will be briefed on the types of entries to be made in the journal and the type of material to collect in the portfolio. Students will also be advised of the quantity of work expected and its quality; and where they will be given opportunities to obtain the material; although students will also be expected to identify opportunities to make journal entries and collect material for the portfolio themselves.
A good proportion of the material required for the journal and portfolio is expected to come from other modules in the programme. For example: student are required to complete practical exercises in AE4003 and complete "answer and question" for summative assessment purposes. However, they will also be expected to record the work carried out and the data obtained in their study journals and produce a number of write-ups that will form part of the evidence needed for the portfolio. However, students may also be asked to produce specific pieces of work for the portfolio and/or to use the journal for a specific task.
The study journal and portfolio will be regularly reviewed throughout the year by members of the teaching team and personal tutors. Each time the work is reviewed, students will be given written and/or oral feedback on their work and their progress on the module and course as a whole, guidance on any issues and the opportunity to discuss any matters related to the module and the programme as a whole.
The knowledge and skills gained in this module will be further developed and extended in the second year module AE5004 Professional Practice for Aircraft Engineers.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures/Tutorials | 60 |
| Guided independent study | 240 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
This module will be assessed by coursework and will comprise a study journal and portfolio of evidence produced by the student over the duration of the module. The journal and portfolio will be used for both summative and formative assessment of the module.
The formative element will come from written and/or oral feedback given to students by members of the module teaching team who will regularly review the contents of the study journal and portfolio documents throughout the year. Personal tutors are also expected to use the study journal and portfolio during tutorial sessions because they will provide a selection of the students work and a reflective record of their studies.
The summative assessment will comprise two elements; the effort demonstrated in compiling the material, and the overall quality of the submission. The effort demonstrated will be based on the number of entries in the journal and the number of pieces of each type of work collected in the portfolio. Students will be advised on the types and quantity of entries expected in the study journal and the types of material and quantity of each required to be submitted in the portfolio in a scheduled learning session at the start of the year.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1. Demonstrate that they have the basic academic and professional skills and the personal characteristics needed to successfully complete an HE course and maximise their potential | Coursework. |
| 2. Maintain a journal, reflect of their learning and, with the aid of feedback, take the appropriate action to rectify any shortfalls in their knowledge and/or personal development. | Coursework. |
| 3. Discuss the pros and cons of group work and explain the best way to handle a group activity. | Coursework. |
| 4. Produce structured, coherent and cohesive short reports and other written work in an appropriate style. | Coursework. |
| 5. Use typical office software effectively and maintain coherent digital records. | Coursework. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Study journal | Coursework | 50% |
| A collection of evidence submitted as one coursework | Coursework | 50% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any category of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass.
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