BM006-3-0-Personal-Development-and-Study-Methods

Rationale for the inclusion of the course/module in the programme: Refer to Programme Specification 5.. Semester and Year offered: Refer to Programme Specification 6.. Objectives The aim

1 Name of Course/Module: Personal Development and Study Methods

2 Course Code: BM006-3-0-PDSM

3 Name(s) of academic staff: Vinothini Vasodavan, Neda Jebellie

4 Rationale for the inclusion of the course/module in the programme:

Refer to Programme Specification

5 Semester and Year offered: Refer to Programme Specification

6 Total Student Learning

Time (SLT)

Face to Face Total Guided and Independent Learning

L = Lecture

T = Tutorial

P = Practical

O= Others

L

24

T

12

120hours

7 Credit Value:3 credit hours

8 Prerequisite (if any):

9 Objectives

The aims of this module are to :

• Enable students to be self-aware of personality traits and identify strength as learner

• Help students to prepare for tertiary studies

• Enable students to take effective notes as well as to encourage them to think about what they learn (reflection)

10 Learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1 Describe the factors which motivate students’ behaviour (MQF1, 3)

2 Recognise traits of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills (MQF 1, 3, 5)

3 Explore the elements of personal development, for tertiary study (MQF 2, 3, 4, 5, 7)

4 Apply study skills for academic purpose and effective learning, in particular, application of writing skills & Harvard referencing (MQF 2, 7)

MQF Learning Outcome Area

MQF1 - Knowledge

MQF2 - Practical skills

MQF3 - Social skills & responsibilities

MQF4 - Values, attitudes, professionalism and ethics

MQF5 - Communications, leadership and team skills

MQF6 - Problem solving & scientific skills

MQF7 - Information management and lifelong learning skills

MQF8 - Managerial & entrepreneurial skills

11 Transferable Skills/ Employability Skills introduced (I), developed (D) and/or assessed (A):

Critical Thinking (I) (D); Social Skills (I), (D); Professionalism & Ethics (I), (D); Communications, leadership & team skills (I) (D)(A); Research, Information management & academic writing (I) (D) (A); Self-awareness (I), (D); Reflection and Thinking (I), (D); Independent work (I), (D)

12 Teaching-learning and assessment strategy:

In Course Assessment – 50%

Final Exam – 50%

13 Synopsis: This course is aimed at giving students the essential skills and techniques needed to survive and thrive as individuals in a collective of students at tertiary level Students will not only be exposed to theories and best practices, but also be guided around practical approaches and

application of the skills and techniques learnt In this way, students not only get to know how to be better student, but also how to be a better lifelong learner

14 Mode of Delivery: Lecture and Tutorial

15 Assessment Methods and Types

• Individual In-course assignment weighted at 50% (LOs 2 – 6,9 &10)

Written Report; Hand-out: Week 6, Hand-in: Week 10

• An Exam length 2 hours weighted at 50% (LOs 1 – 4,6& 7)

2-hour unseen examination consisting of:

Section A (Compulsory, short answer questions): 50 marks

Section B (Choose 2 of 3 questions): 50 marks

16 Mapping of the course/module to the Programme Aims :

Refer to the Programme Specification

17 Mapping of the course/module to the Programme Learning Outcomes:

Refer to the Programme Specification

18 Content outline of the course/module and the SLT per topic:

1

Introduction &Learning Methods

Lectures, Tutorials and Seminars

 Types of learning situations and their purpose

 The role of learning outcomes

2

Motivation and Behaviour

 self understanding

 motivational theories

 attitudes

3

Time Management

 Formulation of Motivation and goal setting worksheet

 Ways to schedule time

 Formulation of checklists

 Urgency versus importance

4

Note Making

 Purpose

 Types of note taking

 Mind Maps

5

Reading for Degree Study

 Purpose

 Types of approaches

 Techniques/ Practical skills

 Harvard Referencing & academic ethics

6

Personal Communication Skills

 Social Skills

 Argument and reasoning skills

 Listening skills

 Body Language

7

Negotiation Skills

 Bargaining Approaches

 Negotiation Stages

 Identification of conflict handing

 collaboration,

 avoidance and

 compromise

8

Group Work

 Describe the way communication works in groups and how this is likely to affect our roles

in many groups we belong to

 Evaluate leadership roles

 Apply specific strategies eg Brainstorming and computer aided decision making to problem-solving and decision making tasks in group situations

 Preparing for Group Meetings

9 Ethics and Responsibility  Difference between law, morality & ethics

10

Thinking Skills

 Thinking skills

 Sources of ideas

 Reasoning and argument

11

Exploration of Future Study Options

 Routes & Degree Options in APIIT & APU

 Current Market demands

 Career opportunities

 Administration of Holland Test & interpretation

12

Revision Methods

 Note taking

 Mind mapping

 Revision techniques Exam Techniques

 Planning time and content

 Understanding questions

 Understanding assessment criteria

 Practical matters e.g arrive on time with pens etc

19 Main references supporting the course

Essential Reading

De Janasz, S, Dowd,K & Schneider, B, (2012) Interpersonal Skills in Organisations (4th Ed.) McGraw-Hill

Austin Kleon, (2014) Show Your Work: 10 ways to share your creativity, Workman

Stephen R Covey, (2013) 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, Simon & Schuster

Further Reading

Cottrell, S (2010) Skills For Success: The Personal Development Planning Handbook, Macmillan Steve Errey, (2012) The Code of Extraordinary Change, Smashwords Edition

20 Other additional information:

- Current News in local Newspapers

- Library –Students are required to utilize and include resources available in the library as part of their research materials