How you will learn
A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the programme. Special consideration has been given to the Learning, Teaching and Assessment strategies of the future MSc candidates. Whilst we acknowledge their previous undergraduate experiences, these must be balanced against an entirely new subject area. The strategies used are designed to match the learning outcomes and to provide every student with some experience of methods best suited to their own learning style, encouraging independent learning and acknowledging previous study. They are designed to:
- be student-centred, flexible and modern whilst being challenging and stimulating;
- support different learners’ needs at different stages of development;
- be fully supported by, and integrated with, technological approaches such as the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE) and the electronic portfolio, PebblePad;
- actively ensure the linkage of theory with practice;
- explicitly consider, value and incorporate service user and carer perspectives, involving service users and carers directly, as per the Institute strategy;
- impart academic rigour to the teaching and learning processes;
- Further develop the student as independent and self-directed, inculcating the ethos of lifelong and reflective learning;
- develop the student’s abilities to learn effectively and progress academically, performing academically at level 7 in terms of achieving the programme aims and outcomes through a variety of assessments, including an in-depth evidence-based dissertation as well as leadership, change management and service innovation.
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching and learning methods will include discourse, discussion, debate, small group work, seminar presentations, reflection-on and in-practice, context-based learning (also referred to as problem based learning), and flexible, distributed learning (FDL) using Blackboard. Each module will facilitate the further development of literacy and I.T. skills, as well as the development of other key lifelong learning skills, and both tutors and students will monitor and evaluate this development via a Personal and Professional Development Profile (PPDP) encouraging the use of Pebblepad.
How you will be assessed
A full range of assessment methods has been selected in order to enhance student learning and to help students to demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved all the module learning outcomes, and, overall, the programme aims. Each module’s learning outcomes relate to the module assessment item(s). Students have an opportunity across the programme to self-reflect on their progression and their development. These self-reflections contribute to and are evidenced in assessments through a variety of means.
Types and methods of assessment will include group seminars and presentations; essays; a portfolio of evidence (achievement of clinical competences and written evidence); viva, examination; OSCE/practical skills assessments; map of patient/client experience; reflective essay; community health profile; reflective incident recording; poster presentation; dissertation
Modules use formative and summative assessment so that students progress through a module in a structured and constructive way and build knowledge for practice in a coherent and logical way. Formative assessments are designed so that feedback on the individual student’s performance is provided prior to the submission of the final, summative assessment – though this does not contribute to the final module mark or the credit awarded. The wordage – or equivalent – for both formative and summative assessments is counted towards the whole module assessment wordage.
