Year-long module 

Unit(s) of Assessment 

Weighting towards Module Mark (%) 

Portfolio of evidence of learning – including: 
·        outcomes of assessed tests and a case study relating to IT skills 
·        reflective reports relating to professional development 

100%

Qualifying Condition(s) 
The assessment strategy is designed to enable students to self-assess their own skills, to address their skills needs and in particular test their IT skills when they feel they have achieved the necessary competence.  At the end of the year they are required to reflect on their personal and professional development from their 1^st year at university. 

The Government and much of industry consider generic, transferable skills to be essential for a flexible workforce.  The changing patterns of work mean that employers are looking for graduates who can respond and adapt to a climate of continual change.  Equally, employers expect managers to be competent as a minimum in using computers for basic functions such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, etc.  It is thus important that graduates develop the skills to manage their progression in learning and work; and acquire basic competence in using personal computers.  Management graduates must be familiar with common computer applications with specific reference to their use in the business environment. 

On successful completion of this module the students will be able to: 
·             Become more effective, independent and confident self-directed learners. (C) 
·             Understand how they are learning and relate their learning to a wider context. C) 
·             Improve their general skills for study and career management. (C,T) 
·             Articulate personal goals and evaluate progress towards their achievement. (T) 
·             Understand the basic concepts of information technology. (K) 
·             Display basic competence in the use of file management, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, information and communication. (P,T) 
·             Display basic competence in introductory business statistics. 
Assessment Criteria 
In order to achieve the threshold standard for the award of credits for this module, the student must meet the following criteria related to the learning outcomes described above: 
·                Provide evidence of the ways in which they have used the module content to improve their own learning and performance 
·                Demonstrate their ability to produce business documents and use computer applications to solve common business problems, by analysing and interpreting written and numeric information. 
·                To pass this module the student will demonstrate a familiarity with management skills, but his/her attempts to organise, present and examine the material in a critical and constructive manner are only partially successful. The student displays some understanding of the relevant issues and some familiarity with relevant models and techniques. 

Improving own learning and performance 
ICT skills: 
·                Basic concepts of IT with specific reference to business applications. 
·                Using the computer and managing files 
·               Word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation and information and communication applications 
Study Skills: 
·                Note taking 
·                Effective reading 
·                Library skills 
·                Dealing with examinations 
·                Essay writing (including plagiarism) 
Transferable skills: 
·                Time management
·                Working with and learning from others 
·                Dealing with stress 
·                Presentation Skills 
·                Business Statistics 

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to provide a flexible approach to delivery, to reflect the different levels of competency that students may have, enabling them to pursue particular topics at their own pace and through a wide range of resources.
The teaching and learning methods include keynote lectures, workshops, exercises and access to a wide range of online resources and information through a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). 
Assessment Strategy: 

Provided as part of the VLE and associated learning software.  Self-study guides will also be available. 
Essential Reading 
Recommended Reading 
Background Reading