University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised December 2002)

Code:	UTLGA7-20-3
Title:	Independent Study
Version:	5
Level:	3
UWE Credit Rating:	20
ECTS Credit Rating:	10
Module Type:	Project
Owning Faculty	Social Sciences and Humanities
Field:	Secondary Education and Lifelong Learning
Valid From:	1 September 2008
Discontinued From:
Contributes Towards:	BA (Hons) Education in Professional Practice BA (Hons) Education Studies BA (Hons) Studies in Education BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies PG Cert Education PG Cert Education (Early Years) PG Cert Education (Special Educational Needs) PG Cert Education (RAICS) PG Dip Education PG Dip Education (Early Years) PG Dip Education (Special Educational Needs) PG Dip Education (RAICS) MA Education MA Education (Early Years) MA Education (Special Educational Needs) MA Education (RAICS) MA Lifelong Learning
Pre-requisites:	None
Co-requisites:	None
Excluded Combinations:	None

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the module the students will have:

• identified an area of interest, relevance and value to themselves and/or their place of employment;

• identified and negotiated a study of appropriate scope and/or depth of enquiry;

• demonstrated congruence with intended programme aims and learning outcomes;

• followed a systematic, critical and analytical route of enquiry/study in pursuance in their identified goal;

• produced a final submission for assessment which shows evidence of relevant background reading, a systematic appraisal and analysis of the topic to be studied;

• taken responsibility for own learning, articulating their own preferred learning styles and strategies and managing their own development;

• communicated effectively in a manner appropriate to the area of study and report on procedures in a clear and concise manner.

This is a Project Module, therefore all Learning Outcomes assessed under Component A.

Syllabus outline:

During the initial phase of the study the focus will be on identifying a specific area and developing a plan, strategy and study programme relevant to the chosen area. Students will embark on a search of relevant literature with tutorial support. The module will develop into central investigative activities with tutorial support.

The module will culminate in the development of the submission. For example this could be:

a) a written assignment or report and/or

b) materials for use by pupils/students and/or

c) audio or visual materials including computer programmes etc

d) any other form which is relevant to the subject being studied, subject to the approval of the supporting tutor

Teaching and learning methods:

Given the varied and eclectic nature of the module the learning approaches will be negotiated between the student and the supporting tutor.

Indicative sources:

BELL, J.(1999, 3^rd Edn.) Doing your Research Project. Buckingham: OUP.

London: Centre of Information on Language Teaching and Research.

FAIRBAIRN, G.J. & WINCH, C. (1996), Reading, Writing & Reasoning: a Guide for Students, Buckingham: OUP.

SHARPE, J.A. & HOWARD, K. (2002) The Management of a Student Research Project, (3rd Ed), Aldershot: Gower.

MARSHALL, L. & ROWLAND, S. (1993) A Guide to Learning Independently, (2nd Ed), Buckingham: OUP.

WILLIAMS, K. (1999) Developing Writing Skills Oxford: Oxford Centre for Staff Development.

Additional readings and websites will be identified by the tutor, with reference to the area of study.

Assessment:

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A: element 1

The module will be assessed by the submission of an appropriate study which is the equivalent of 3000-4000 words.

Assessment Criteria: AL3, BL3, together with one other level 3 criteria negotiated with the tutor from the list below.

Documentation generated in the process of producing the assignment will be made available upon request.

The student must demonstrate to the supervising tutor that the work submitted does not duplicate work previously submitted for assessment for other modules within the intended programme

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A: element 1

The module will be assessed by the submission of an appropriate study which is the equivalent of 3000-4000 words.

Assessment Criteria: AL3, BL3, together with one other level 3 criteria negotiated with the tutor from the list below.

Documentation generated in the process of producing the assignment will be made available upon request.

The student must demonstrate to the supervising tutor that the work submitted does not duplicate work previously submitted for assessment for other modules within the intended programme

Assessment Criteria:

A: Conceptual Domain (Core)

L3: The assignment demonstrates that the student can use and organise coherently relevant ideas, perspectives or theories to interpret and/or explore issues under study and in addition can critically analyse and/or evaluate those ideas, perspectives or theories.

B: Literature Domain

L3: The assignment demonstrates that the student can reference appropriate literature and utilise it in the development of analysis and discussion of ideas.

C: Contextual Domain

L3: The assignment demonstrates that the student has an awareness of the significance of relevant contextual factors (eg personal, locational, historical, political etc) influencing the area of study.

D: Research Domain

L3: The assignment demonstrates that the student can plan for and execute a small scale enquiry in a systematic and reflexive manner, clearly justifying plans and methods on technical grounds and evaluating research outcomes.

E: Ethical Domain

L3: The assignment demonstrates that the student has an awareness of ethical issues arising in or associated with the area of study, showing sensitive engagement with an appropriate ethical framework for interpretation of ideas or for practice.

F: Values Domain

L3: The assignment demonstrates that the student can clearly identify and analyse the basis of their own value position and where relevant, the value position of others in relation to the area of study.

G: Action Domain

L3: The assignment demonstrates that the student can explore the relationship between theory and practice, and use reflection to develop personal theory and/or consider its implications for practice, with due regard to issues of equity and social justice, appraising professional development needs and/or outcomes.

H: Negotiated Domain

In addition to criteria specified under domains A-F, we accept the possibility of tutor and student negotiating an appropriate assessment criterion, to encompass specific elements of significance not addressed through the existing criteria. With tutors new to the programme it is important that such negotiated criteria are approved by the relevant Award Leader.

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is not required.

Specification confirmed by ……………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)