Professional Development by Negotiated Studies (Top-Up) BA/BSc (Level 6 only)

This module involves engagement with two linked processes: an initial, in-depth personal review and self audit, and then the subsequent identification of appropriate personal and professional development opportunities. The self review element of the module is designed to help uncover skills, abilities, knowledge, beliefs, values and assumptions that are held as a prelude to a consideration of future possibilities for development. This will most typically lead to the negotiation of an Approved Studies Learning Agreement (ASLA) tailored to meet individual needs (and, if appropriate, the needs of any employing organisation). This is a process which is likely to involve the identification of past learning relevant to the proposed programme of study, and for which an APL claim may be made. 

Importantly, the module also aims to develop the skills and capabilities associated with reflective processes and to encourage the vision necessary for action planning. These are attributes that are transferable to future personal and professional development and are critical in the context of lifelong learning.  This module will be essential for most individually negotiated programmes of study in that it provides a context for self-audit, confirms the level of study and award, and identifies the pathway to be followed.  

The module aims to:

• Allow the opportunity to engage in an exercise of self review, for professional and/or personal reasons.
• Engender enthusiasm for life-long learning, encouraging the development of a reflective approach to experience.
• Enable learners to value experiences in terms of self-worth and in relation to currencies in the world of work and academia.
• Develop appropriate goal setting, planning and negotiation skills.
• Allow learners to plan a negotiated pathway of learning and award, addressing priorities for personal and professional development.
• Encourage awareness of commitment and focus for a course of action, and an awareness of the consequences of that commitment.

The module provides an intellectual toolkit for professional development and aims to enhance the skills of planning and reflective practice applicable to negotiated experiential learning at work and for understanding the workplace as a site for learning and professional development more generally. It builds on the skills and processes delivered through Self Review and Negotiation of Learning, and introduces considerations of work culture and ethos. The module is intended to increase  awareness of issues to consider when learning through work, and to aid preparation for negotiating experiential and work-based projects, together with associated learning agreements. It introduces a range of approaches, techniques and audit tools designed to enhance understanding of the self, and of others, in the workplace. 

The module aims to:

• Develop awareness of approaches to professional development and to appropriate tools and methodologies.
• Provide the theoretical underpinning that informs practice, and reflection on practice, in the workplace.
• Provide further opportunities to assess personal potential and to develop a greater understanding of self and others.

This module is designed to enhance workplace practice and provide a framework for the approval and accreditation of experiential learning activities undertaken in the context of the workplace. These may take the form of discrete, identifiable projects or may be specific areas of learning that involve engagement with a wide range of work activities. For the individual practitioner, the module offers an accreditation mechanism for CPD activities; from an organisational perspective it may provide the opportunity for an employee/volunteer to engage in innovative and strategic developments for the organisation as part of their work role and in so doing, enhance the work of the organisation. Prior to approval, the Negotiated Experiential Learning Agreement will require the signatures of students and employers (where applicable) and the University of Chester sponsoring Department, confirming that the module has been negotiated and agreed upon. 

The module aims to:

• Enable learners to recognise the potential of the workplace as a site of learning and to utilise the working environment effectively for this purpose.
• Provide an opportunity for the achievement and accreditation of experiential learning in the workplace context.
• Facilitate innovative and strategic development within the work place for the benefit of the employing organisation and employees.
• Enable learners to enhance workplace capability through application of knowledge and skills gained through more theoretical study.
• Enable critical reflection on approaches to – and performance in – designing and implementing work-based projects/ tasks/enquiries.
• Engender a sympathetic understanding of the modes of operation of the reflective practitioner.
• Provide a mechanism that enables Higher Education to work in partnership with external organisations to facilitate accredited learning opportunities at work, meeting specific needs efficiently and economically.

This module is designed to enhance workplace practice and provides a framework for the approval and accreditation of experiential learning activities undertaken in the context of the workplace. These may take the form of discrete, identifiable projects or may be specific areas of learning that involve engagement with a wide range of work activities. For the individual practitioner, the module offers an accreditation mechanism for CPD activities; from an organisational perspective it may provide the opportunity for an employee/volunteer to engage in innovative and strategic developments for the organisation as part of their work role and in so doing, enhance the work of the organisation. Prior to approval, the Negotiated Experiential Learning Agreement will require the signatures of the student and employer (where applicable) as well as the University of Chester sponsoring Department, confirming that the module has been negotiated and agreed upon. 

The module aims to:

• Enable recognition of the potential of the workplace as a site of learning and to utilise the working environment effectively for this purpose.
• Provide an opportunity for the achievement and accreditation of experiential learning in the workplace context.
• Facilitate innovative and strategic development within the work place for the benefit of the employing organisation and employees.
• Enable learners to enhance workplace capability through application of knowledge and skills gained through more theoretical study.
• Enable critical reflection on approaches to – and performance in – designing and implementing work-based projects/ tasks/enquiries.
• Engender a sympathetic understanding of the modes of operation of the reflective practitioner.
• Provide a mechanism that enables Higher Education to work in partnership with external organisations to facilitate accredited learning opportunities at work, meeting specific needs efficiently and economically.

The module is designed to encourage reflection upon the pathway of learning of the degree programme as a whole, contextualising learning and personal development. Consideration of progress and identification of themes arising from study is encouraged as is consideration of future personal and professional development opportunities in the light of the learning experiences on the programme. 

The module aims to:

• Help deconstruct and contextualise learning experiences on the course, together with its impact on the workplace.
• Provide a context in which learners can reflect on ability to manage own learning and to devise plans for future learning and development.
• Engender a culture of Lifelong Learning.