Teaching and Learning Support FdA

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of modules, which work towards student independence. Within the practical-based modules, this is achieved through work related assignments and a programme that gradually transfers responsibility for learning to you as the student. Learning occurs in a context that enables you to relate what you are learning to what you already know and to guide you through subsequent general reading. The source material in these modules is not confined to lectures but includes a range of appropriate strategies such as structured and general reading, video material, observation, experiential learning.

In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least 4 occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.

You will have an opportunity to engage with learning through a comprehensive range of learning and teaching strategies which include:

• Lectures
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Group Work
• Practical activities
• Problem-based learning

Work-based activities and assignments will enable you to engage with your own practice and to share your knowledge and expertise with others. You will also undertake a work-based study in your second year, which allows you, with tutorial support, to focus on a particular area of interest within your professional practice.

Lectures enable the delivery of theory while seminars and workshops provide a space for the discussion and development of understanding. Practical activities and problem-based learning will form part of your teaching so that you can link theory to practice within schools to support you as a practitioner now and in future careers.

The University places emphasis on enabling you to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and also the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Contact time

In a typical week you will have between 4 and 6 hours of teaching. The precise contact hours may vary by semester (1 afternoon and 1 evening). Typically contact time will be structured around:

• 2 - 3 hours of lectures
• 2 - 3 hours of seminars/workshops/practical activities in groups of around 20 students

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 16 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve directed study tasks, academic reading, reflection on module ideas, and applying knowledge to your professional role.

Work-based learning is an embedded element of the course. Modules are assessed through work related learning and it is a requirement that students are employed or volunteer in a learning support or similar role for the duration of the course. You are expected to undertake this work-based learning for a minimum of two days a week. This enables students to relate their studies to their own setting and context.

A range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources, supports independent learning.

Timetables and Duration

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings. Teaching for this course will be scheduled across one afternoon/evening per teaching block to support students to study around their employment.

Course duration: 2 years full time or 3 years part-time (Halesowen College only).

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with relevant education experience. Teaching is based on research and co-construction with learners. Many of the course lecturers have a higher education teaching qualification or are Fellows or Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles page. 

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or 'formative' assignments. Each module has one or more formal or 'summative' assessments, which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.

Assessment methods include:

• Written assignments
• Individual and group presentations
• Case studies
• Reflective portfolio entries
• Problem based learning
• Learning journals / reflective journals
• Seminars
• Independent Studies
• Workplace investigations
• Self-evaluation / needs analysis
• Evaluations of processes and resources
• Poster/leaflet presentations /Production of workplace resources
• Literature critiques

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the modules studied, but a typical summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:

Level 4

• 2 Learning portfolios
• 2 evaluation and annotation of an educational resource
• 4 essays
• 1 critical evaluation
• 1 reflective commentary
• 1 group presentation

Level 5

• 3 essays
• 1 ethics report
• 1 workplace study plan
• 1 professional enquiry
• 1 learning journal
• 1 group presentation
• 2 reflective commentaries

You will receive feedback on formative assessments and on summative assessments. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We will provide you with feedback on summative assessments within 20 working days of hand-in dates.