Lindsay Williams (Induction Co-ordinator)Principal Lecturer for Student Experience

and Teaching Fellow

Wednesday 21st September, 2011

Preparation for your Degree

Aim of this session….

• To introduce you to University level study…transition, expectations, and Faculty of Business requirements

• Help you make sense of the ‘Modular System’….key UMP facts, and planning your programme

• Prepare you for your Subject Meeting tomorrow ….and meeting your Academic Adviser

What is teaching and learning like at University?

• Perception (and reality) that teaching and learning at University is different to University pre-entry education

• Key features and issues:

Larger class sizes from ‘name to number’?

Greater emphasis on ‘Independent Learning’ Does that equal less support? What do you do in the ‘gaps’?

Typical ‘classroom’ activities

Lectures Introduction to topics/concepts etc

requires additional reading (‘so that’s what I do with the gaps!’)

Can be in (very) large groups Pace Clarity

Mixed groups Familiarity; cohort identity?

Lecturer ‘distance’ Accessibility/support (emails and Office Hours)

Virtual Learning Environments (‘Brookes Virtual’) Relationship with the module Can be comfortable space to learn

Seminars/workshops

Smaller groups (clarity; relationship with seminar leader; group identity; comfortable environment)

A chance to prepare (and contribute) Activities:

directed questions (and volunteering answers) reinforcement activities ‘chat with your neighbour’ moving around the group case studies informal group presentations discussions/debates reflection psychometric tests/self evaluation activities ‘active’ exercises experiential learning

Typical ‘classroom’ activities

Participatio

n and engagement!

What is assessment and feedback like?

Range of assessment methods: Essays Report writing Dissertations Exams (different types) Case study analysis Individual and Group presentations Role plays Portfolios Reflective statements Assessment Centres/Practical activities Videos Virtual tasks/VLE assessment Active research ‘Dragons Den’ style pitches

Progression through undergraduate study

Are there any differences between years 1-4? Word counts

semester 1 in your first year, versus a ‘dissertation’ Weightings

multiple (low risk) points of assessment versus ‘finals’ ‘Blooms taxonomy’

moving from ‘describe’ to ‘analyse and synthesise’

The one constant: The importance of reading . . . . Without reading you will not graduate!

3 Steps to Academic Success

Reading…absolutely loads! assignments are a chance for you to show off how much you’ve read! ‘more is more’……it’s not rocket-science! books v’s journals

Writing Present a logical argument (based on what you’ve read) There’s not always a right or wrong answer Substantiate and evidence your assertions

Referencing ….signposts where you got your information from Harvard Referencing system (you’ll be given a guide) Plagiarism and ‘Turnitin’

‘To what extent does money motivate staff

in the workplace?’

A quick recap…..

You are probably part of a larger learning environment

Contact hours are different

The concept of ‘Independent Learning’

There are differences in the way you are taught, and assessed

It’s your responsibility – get organised!

Don’t forget the importance of reading…..and critical thinking

So, basically it’s a time for change

Other things that might be different: No multiple hand-ins/hand-backs (a deadline IS a deadline…..zero

marks for late work….) No teacher ‘micro-management’ (it’s your responsibility)

But… It’s a chance to be autonomous and have an inquisitive mind! You will have lots of support You’re not expected to know it all from day 1…

Expectations…..

We know it’s a learning curve (2nd and final year count towards your degree)

But don’t aim low Placement recruitment and selection Less of a jump in year two Self-respect

Grade equivalents - ‘but I’m a 97% student!’

We can’t ‘reward’ effort…

We expect you to prepare for lectures/seminars, and AA meetings

We expect you to read your Brookes emails (it’s no defence!)

Parting comments….

You have joined a supportive learning community at Brookes

Our students graduate with excellent grades and transferable skills (and end up with great jobs)

Please ask for help when you need it – it’s our job

Your Academic Advisers and SSCs are your ‘champions’ – make sure you build a relationship with us!

Wake up!....how’s your Maths?!

A = 1

B = 2

C = 3

D = 4

E = 5

F = 6

G = 7

H = 8

I = 9

J = 10

K = 11

L = 12

M = 13

N = 14

O = 15

P = 16

Q = 17

R = 18

S = 19

T = 20

U = 21

V = 22

W = 23

X = 24

Y = 25

Z = 26

Task: Using your full name (including middle names), add together the values of each letter.

For example: Lindsay Williams = 182

(L=12, I=9, N=14, D=4, S=19, A=1, Y=25…. etc)

There’s a prize!!

The Modular System: Key Information

What are we going to cover?

How many modules you need to take What kind of modules you need to take Degree Classification How to plan your programme Combined Honours Rules Deadlines for adding and deleting modules Possible problems Additional Module Charges Key points Other rules to be aware

Don’t panic!

What do you need to do?

Stage 1 (Level 4)

8 basic modules – Including compulsory modules

(Plus U95002 non-credit module for International Students)

Stage 2 (Level 5 and 6)

16 acceptable modules for your subject including compulsory modules and 6 honours components

How do you find out what’s compulsory and ‘honours’?

What are the different types of modules?

Stage 1 (Level 4) Basic Modules

Must take all Compulsory Modules Plus Recommended or Free Choice of modules to make total of 8

Stage 2 (Level 5 and 6) Can only take modules that are Acceptable for your subject Including Compulsory Modules and 6 Honours Components

to make total of 16 (minimum)

How is your Final Degree Classification worked out?

It is based on the average of your best 14 acceptable modules (including all 6 honours components)…i.e. what you do in Stage 2!

Note – you must pass minimum of 16 acceptable modules

Classifications

70%+ First (A)

60-69% Upper Second (B+)

50-59% Lower Second (B)

40-49% Third (C)

Planning your programme

Only need to plan your First Year at this stage (both semesters)

Check for Prerequisites or Restrictions

Some modules count as two credits (in one semester or over the whole year)

Use your PIP – it gives full details of subject requirements, prerequisites etc.

First Year: How many modules do I need to take?

Plan for 4 credits per semester and 8 credits per year….(if you are an international student you may have more e.g. U95002)

8 is the maximum number of module credits you can take in a year, without additional payment

Module Charges

If you take more than 8 module credits you will be charged per additional module credit.

This includes retakes of modules failed.

UK students - £560 International students - £1350

Another reason to work hard this year!

Exceptions to the rule!

Charges do NOT apply to 1 language module per year

This includes U70910 – Academic Writing for Business which International and EU students take

This means, if you want to take a language module as your 9th module credit then you will not be charged.

For a full list of modules see the UMP pages via PIP

Combined Honours: Rules

Stage 1 – must take compulsory modules from both subjects and recommended or free choice modules to total 8 module credits.

Stage 2 - minimum 7 credits from each subject including all compulsories from both subjects (but can also elect for major/minor)

Must include 6 honours components

Deadlines

Make any changes by Friday Week 0 latest

Can Delete Modules by Friday week 2 latest (but this can cause problems)

You can add and delete modules via PIP (unless you miss the deadlines)

Do not leave yourself short of modules!

Possible problems

Failing a module Resit available if your mark is between 30% and 39% Less than 30% = Retake

Generally Less than 6 passes per year Less than 3 passes per year

Illness etc Act promptly Act correctly

Key Points

Understand the rules Plan ahead to take advantage of the flexibility Check your PIP regularly

Look out for error or warning messages – Act promptly It is your responsibility to ensure that your programme is correct Make sure that you save any changes that you make.

If you have any doubts or queries about your first year programme– talk to a Student Support Co-ordinator

Other Rules

Check your Student Handbooks and Module Guides for rules that apply at Subject or Module Level

You will receive your subject handbook at the Subject Meeting tomorrow (Thursday) and Module Guides as every new module starts

Don’t panic!

We know there’s a lot of information to take in….check out the Induction Web Pages in your own time

PIP is your friend and will let you know exactly what you need to do!

Do not ignore errors and warnings!

Any problems – please don’t be afraid to ask!

And finally…

Who hasn’t enrolled yet?

Tomorrow is one of the most important days of induction – you find out about your subject and meet your fellow class mates and some of the staff that will be teaching you

What’s happening next?......