BMM6452 - Professional Learning Through Work

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Enhance their personal effective working relationships as part of the team working for the organisation/agency concerned.
Negotiate learning outcomes related to a critical issue under investigation within the workplace to a satisfactory agreement and contract with both the employer and with LTU, including managing research ethics issues.
Demonstrate an ability to critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate data/information and research, constructing an informed argument and presenting their findings appropriately.
Design an appropriate format of assessment to meet the expectations of Level 6 (3) study including a demonstration of independence of study and argument.

Content:

This module enables students to develop and negotiate learning outcomes and assessment modes that provide the flexibility for them to apply theoretical understanding and practical work-based development to a chosen context. This could include a work-based project or intervention or an alternative professional development project within their work setting. Students are expected to negotiate a project with their employer or prior placement provider organisation that meets the needs of both the employer and Leeds Trinity University.

Learning and Teaching Information:

As a negotiated, self-managed module, students will receive initial tutorial support to establish the learning outcomes and appropriate assessment methods. They will engage in online support and students will be expected to schedule two further tutorials either face to face, online or telephone to ensure progression and the academic rigour of the project.

Initial tutorials
Contact hours: 2
Intended Group size: 10

Periodic review tutorials
Contact hours: 2
Intended Group size: 1

Online/telephone support
Contact hours: 6
Intended Group size: 1

Guided work-based study
Hours: 190

Further details relating to assessment
Project proposal/agreement/ ethical approval: a tri-partite agreement / contract to undertake the project is required to be negotiated by the student, between the student, Leeds Trinity and the project host / employer organisation (the contract should include research ethics considerations / approval - as indicated in the section below).

Final project report and reflections: although assessments will broadly follow the convention of a written report and standard oral presentation students will be expected to negotiate the exact format, for example Business Reports, Product/Service Development Plans, Marketing Plans/Campaigns, etc. Presentations may be directed at specific audiences, e.g. employer staff, customers, directors, etc.

Oral presentation: the oral presentation is of the development, completion and outcomes of the project.

Liaison with the project host / employer organisation will be on-going and updates will be requested throughout the process.

Other relevant matters
*Registration for the module is subject to students providing clear evidence during Level 5 study of active engagement, completion and evaluation of the PDP module and initial negotiations with their employer/placement provider with regard to a potential work-based learning project for Level 6.

Though not part of the summative assessment, employers are required to provide a minimum of three reports on student progress - the first report is initial approval and signed agreement for the project to proceed, the second report is required by January at the latest, providing an interim report of progress, and the final report is required at the assessment submission date, providing evaluation of the project outcome. These reports will assist and inform the project supervisor of work-based value.

**Due to LTU responsibility for ensuring that research conducted by its staff and research students abides by accepted standards of conduct and ethics, it is integrated within the content of this course and students need to seek for ethical approval of their project. The process is coordinated by a module leader and requires signing ethical approval form before any project can be actioned. The process follows key principles of LTU Code of Research Conduct and Ethics, available at LTU intranet.

There are two aspects of volunteering within organisation - based experience: i) taking a work placements as a volunteer in charity not-for-profit organisation - this option was particularly relevant for international students; and ii) suggesting student's own topic for organisation based project (some volunteering options may include extra-curricular activities).

Assessment:

001 Project proposal; 1,200 word equiv.; mid-semester 1 30%
002 Project report & reflections; 2,000 words; end of semester 2 50%
003 Presentation; 10mins; end of semester 2 20%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Leon Consearo
Level - 6
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 6YL

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