Teaching, learning and assessment methods
Support from your tutor
For each module that you study within the programme, you will have a tutor who will provide individual support, advice and guidance throughout your studies. Your tutor will support your learning by providing feedback on your assignments, marking and commenting on your written work, facilitating online tutorials and group activities (where these apply), and responding to individual queries. Electronic communication will be used extensively.
Teaching and learning methods
The teaching in this qualification is via module texts, electronic media and online forums. The material provided varies between modules on the programme, and can be primarily resource-based, with online study guides. You are therefore encouraged to review the learning strategy for your chosen modules and plan your own learning through the programme.
Teaching materials use a variety of learning approaches, which may include self-assessment questions, working with audio and visual learning materials, using reference electronic texts, directed reading, electronic journals, computer conferencing, and web-based resources. Where relevant, teaching materials are also provided on conducting searches, communication via posters and presentations, and critiquing literature. You will work independently with the teaching materials, but may form self-help groups with other students, communicating online in module or individual study group forums. Tutors will support learning individually and within groups, electronically.
Assessment
Understanding of principles and concepts is assessed through assignments on constituent modules within the programme. Cognitive, practical/professional and key skills are developed throughout the programme in parallel with knowledge and understanding within this qualification. Details of assessment on constituent modules can be found on the corresponding module pages.
Each module comprises an element of continuous assessment in the form of tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) or interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs), and an end-of-module assessment or ‘EMA’. The EMA can take the form of written work and/or a presentation. Unless otherwise specified, you must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs). The end-of-module assessment (EMA) must also be submitted online.
You may be expected to take part in group activities on some modules, and will be using a variety of communication methods, including online forums, wikis and online tools for peer feedback linked to assessment. Certain activities may require you to complete tasks over defined periods. Individual module descriptions will have further information concerning any module-specific requirements.