Teaching, learning and assessment methods
The study materials will support you in developing your knowledge and understanding in line with the learning outcomes.
You will work from an online learning guide that will direct you to the three main module texts and the accompanying DVD, which will include extensive illustrative case study material.
The learning guide will also include substantial activities designed to integrate your learning from all of the module resources.
The module will have five assignments and an exam.
The exam will be designed to encourage a synthesis of ideas and frameworks from the module and will test your grasp and application of key theories and concepts.
Critical analysis of conditions and processes that lead to effective inter-agency work is a theme that runs throughout the study materials, especially the third book.
Thinking points in the main module books and longer activities in the learning guide, will encourage you to apply module ideas and frameworks to case studies and to examples from your own experience.
The case study material contained on the DVD will be a key resource in helping you to develop skills of critical analysis.
All assignments will test your understanding of key module ideas and your ability to synthesise information and arguments.
Activities, tutor group discussions and online forums will support you in developing skills in written, spoken and online communication.
The learning guide will employ a ‘light touch’, encouraging you to use a variety of learning resources in an independent way, as is appropriate for third-level study.
You will be asked to keep a reflective journal throughout the module, encouraging you to reflect on your own learning and apply theory to practice.
Activities that encourage you to make use of online resources and critically reflect on information gathered in this way will occur at regular intervals throughout the module.
The criteria guiding the marking of the assignments and the exam will address the need for coherence in structure and analysis in presenting a response to questions as set.
Achieving a good mark will be dependent on demonstrating effective use of the range of module resources, including the DVD and online resources.
The three co-published texts will ‘model’ ways of applying theory to practice and provide opportunities, through thinking points in the texts themselves and activities in the online learning guide, for you to do likewise.
Specific chapters for each of the books will have a focus on practice issues, providing a thorough analysis of current trends and encouraging the development of critical and innovative practice, with issues of ethics and professional working given a high profile.
Integrated use of the DVD material, with its biographical case studies, will encourage you to take account of children’s perspectives as relevant to multi-agency working.
Each of the assignments will require you to apply theory to practice. The practical and professional skills listed in the learning outcomes will be tested throughout the assignments and the exam.