BMM6452 - Professional Learning Through Work

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate enhanced graduate employability skills, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes developed through working for the placement agency or through completing a skills development project, through guided and self-directed study, and through undertaking study of this module.
Evidence creation and completion of a ‘negotiated project’ (which could include a ‘work-based project or intervention’ or an alternative ‘skills development project’).
Demonstrate ability to critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate data/information and research (including managing research ethics issues); construct informed arguments and present findings appropriately; and devise and implement evidence-based solutions and projects to successful completion, outputs and outcomes, related to a critical business issue within the placement employer or skills development issue(s) which the student has self-identified.
Evidence ability to negotiate learning outcomes and formats of assessment to meet the expectations of Level 6 study, related to a ‘work-based project or intervention’ or a ‘skills development project’.

Content:

This module builds on the foundations of developing employability skills gained through BMM4982 Ethics, Society and Employability, and BMM5402 Professional Development and Placement. This module connects with every module studied in the student’s degree programme; and consolidates many of the skills, knowledge, and abilities learnt throughout the degree programme; and it uniquely contextualises learning to the students own graduate employability objectives, professional career goals and chosen life aims.

This module enables students to complete a ‘negotiated project’ which could include a ‘work-based project or intervention’ or an alternative ‘skills development project’. The negotiated project can be with employers, professional bodies, linked to civic or community challenges or it can be a ‘skills development project’ which students will identify themselves. Students are expected to negotiate a project that adequately meets the needs of their own learning aims, the placement employer, the module requirements and Leeds Trinity University. This will require students to research, develop and negotiate, learning outcomes and assessment modes that provide the flexibility for them to apply in practice within a real work setting, a range of theoretical understanding gained throughout their degree programmes; and enhance their Graduate Employability through practical work-based learning and development and self-directed learning. Where a skills-development pathway is chosen, students are required to outline their independent learning objectives, agree a form of verification with their supervisor, approved by the Tutor, and evidence an output to show application of the learning. An example of this could be learning a programming language; using LinkedIn Learning to complete professionally relevant training; completing professional certifications such as Google or Facebook marketing qualifications and producing a project linked to these.

The core taught content will cover approaches to work-based projects, managing time on projects, skills audits, guidance and advice on negotiating project outcomes and negotiating and agreeing their approach to assessment, along with subject contextualisation and reflective practice. In addition to this, students are required to undertake self-directed learning and evidence completion of their chosen learning objectives. Students will receive a minimum of four weeks of taught content at the start of Semester 1, along with individual supervisory support to negotiate and finalise their projects. Support in Semester 2 will include small group supervisory sessions (minimum of 3) to support assessment approaches plus individual supervision. For this 20-credit module there this is a total of 14 hours taught content, and each student will also receive 6 x 30-minute individual supervision sessions from their assigned academic supervisor. There will be a mixture of approaches to sourcing projects. Some will be sourced by the LTU Placement Team, but students are required to fully use their Level 5 (BMM5402) placement experience and contacts, to consider opportunities, to source their Level 6 negotiated project; and students are also required to carry out their own focused in-depth industry research, and contact a range of organisations to create opportunities to complete their negotiated project.

Learning and Teaching Information:

At the start of Semester 1 students will receive a minimum of 4 weeks of taught content; plus, individual supervision to support negotiation and finalisation of their proposed projects. Support in Semester 2 will include a minimum of 3 ‘group supervisory sessions’ delivered by Supervisors, aimed to support assessment approaches, plus individual supervision. For this 20-credit module there will be a total of 14 hours taught content, and each student will also receive 6 x 30-minute individual supervision sessions from their assigned academic supervisor; also each supervisory group will receive 3 x 1 hour ‘group supervisory sessions’ delivered by their allocated supervisor to support assessment approaches.

Taught Sessions
Contact hours: 14
Intended Group size: 90

Individual supervisory tutorials
Contact hours: 6x30 minutes
Intended Group size: 1

Group supervisory tutorials
Contact hours: 3x1 hour
Intended Group size: Whole supervisory group, minimum of 3

Work Placement Pathway or Skills Development Pathway
Hours: 60

Guided independent study
Hours: 120

Further details relating to assessment
In relation to the work-placement, a tripartite sign-off form will be required. This form will include the details of the project outline by the student, will be verified by the employer and signed off by the study supervisor. This should also include an agreed pattern of working hours.

The employer will also be asked to submit 3 appraisal forms (end Sem 1, mid-Feb Sem 2 and end Sem 2).

Completion of work placement hours or skills development hours. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 60 hours in the workplace to support their work-based project OR on an approved but self-directed plan of study to support their employability skills development project. The pattern of these hours depends on the project. In some instances, students may work the hours intensively over a number of weeks; in other instances, the pattern will be a small number of hours over a number of weeks. The pattern of hours should be agreed and recorded as part of the tri-partite sign-off, and students must show consideration given to how this works with other learning commitments. Normally, the earliest students would begin their workplace or skills development hours would be October of their final year, and, in order to complete module assessment in line with the university calendar, they would normally be expected to fully complete the hours by the end of March. Any work projects which would mean all of the workplace or skills development hours being undertaken late in the academic year are wholly discouraged as students could be disadvantaged in terms of the amount of time they have to complete their assessment. Liaison between the placement employer and supervisor, supervisor and tutor, will be on-going and updates will be requested throughout the process. To support and evidence progress made in completing these hours, please note that:

- Where the ‘work-based project or intervention’ pathway is chosen, employers are required to provide a minimum of three appraisal reports on student progress. These reports will assist and inform the project supervisor of work-based value. The 3 x employer appraisal forms are required to be signed by the employer, and signed off by Supervisor, submitted at the end Sem 1; mid-Feb Sem 2 and at the end of Sem 2.

- Where the skills development pathway is chosen - 3 x Skills Development Progress Reports, signed off by the supervisor are required to be submitted, at the end of Sem 1; mid-Feb Sem 2, and at the end of Sem 2.

Final assessment to be negotiated. Although assessments will broadly follow the convention of a written report which showcases evidence of outcomes, outputs and impact generated by the ‘negotiated project’, plus student reflections; students will be expected to negotiate the exact format, for example in may include Business Reports, Product/Service Development Plans, Marketing Plans/Campaigns, Graduate Employability Skills Development Reports with evidence of certifications or accreditations gained etc. Presentations may be directed at specific audiences, e.g., employer staff, customers, directors, etc.

Assessment:

001 Project proposal; 500 words; mid semester 1 20%
002 Placement hr or employability skills development hr; 60 hr min; complete semester 2 by end March %
003 Final assessment - to be negotiated; 3,500 words; end of semester 2 80%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Salman Ahmad
Level - 6
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 6YL6YLJ6YL

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