Lindsay Williams (Induction Co-ordinator) Principal Lecturer for Student Experience

1. Preparation for your Degree Lindsay Williams (Induction Co-ordinator) Principal Lecturer for Student Experience and Teaching Fellow Wednesday 21st September, 2011

2. Aim of this session…. • To introduce you to University level study • …transition, expectations, and Faculty of Business requirements • Help you make sense of the ‘Modular System’ • ….key UMP facts, and planning your programme • Prepare you for your Subject Meeting tomorrow • ….and meeting your Academic Adviser

3. What is teaching and learning like at University? • Perception (and reality) that teaching and learning at University is different to University pre-entry education • Key features and issues: • Larger class sizes • from ‘name to number’? • Greater emphasis on ‘Independent Learning’ • Does that equal less support? • What do you do in the ‘gaps’?

4. Typical ‘classroom’ activities Lectures • Introduction to topics/concepts etc • requires additional reading (‘so that’s what I do with the gaps!’) • Can be in (very) large groups • Pace • Clarity • Mixed groups • Familiarity; cohort identity? • Lecturer ‘distance’ • Accessibility/support (emails and Office Hours) • Virtual Learning Environments (‘Brookes Virtual’) • Relationship with the module • Can be comfortable space to learn

5. Typical ‘classroom’ activities Seminars/workshops Smaller groups(clarity; relationship with seminar leader; group identity; comfortable environment) • A chance to prepare (and contribute) • Activities: • directed questions (and volunteering answers) • reinforcement activities • ‘chat with your neighbour’ • moving around the group • case studies • informal group presentations • discussions/debates • reflection • psychometric tests/self evaluation activities • ‘active’ exercises • experiential learning Participation and engagement!

6. What is assessment and feedback like? Range of assessment methods: • Essays • Report writing • Dissertations • Exams (different types) • Case study analysis • Individual and Group presentations • Role plays • Portfolios • Reflective statements • Assessment Centres/Practical activities • Videos • Virtual tasks/VLE assessment • Active research • ‘Dragons Den’ style pitches

7. Progression through undergraduate study Are there any differences between years 1-4? • Word counts • semester 1 in your first year, versus a ‘dissertation’ • Weightings • multiple (low risk) points of assessment versus ‘finals’ • ‘Blooms taxonomy’ • moving from ‘describe’ to ‘analyse and synthesise’ The one constant: • The importance of reading . . . . • Without reading you will not graduate!

8. 3 Steps to Academic Success Reading • …absolutely loads! • assignments are a chance for you to show off how much you’ve read! • ‘more is more’……it’s not rocket-science! • books v’s journals Writing • Present a logical argument (based on what you’ve read) • There’s not always a right or wrong answer • Substantiate and evidence your assertions Referencing • ….signposts where you got your information from • Harvard Referencing system (you’ll be given a guide) • Plagiarism and ‘Turnitin’ ‘To what extent does money motivate staff in the workplace?’

9. A quick recap….. • You are probably part of a larger learning environment • Contact hours are different • The concept of ‘Independent Learning’ • There are differences in the way you are taught, and assessed • It’s your responsibility – get organised! • Don’t forget the importance of reading…..and critical thinking

10. So, basically it’s a time for change Other things that might be different: • No multiple hand-ins/hand-backs (a deadline ISa deadline…..zero marks for late work….) • No teacher ‘micro-management’ (it’s your responsibility) But… • It’s a chance to be autonomous and have an inquisitive mind! • You will have lots of support • You’re not expected to know it all from day 1…

11. Expectations….. We know it’s a learning curve (2nd and final year count towards your degree) But don’t aim low • Placement recruitment and selection • Less of a jump in year two • Self-respect Grade equivalents - ‘but I’m a 97% student!’ We can’t ‘reward’ effort… We expect you to prepare for lectures/seminars, and AA meetings We expect you to read your Brookes emails (it’s no defence!)

12. Parting comments…. • You have joined a supportive learning community at Brookes • Our students graduate with excellent grades and transferable skills (and end up with great jobs) • Please ask for help when you need it – it’s our job • Your Academic Advisers and SSCs are your ‘champions’ – make sure you build a relationship with us!

13. Wake up!....how’s your Maths?! A = 1 B = 2 C = 3 D = 4 E = 5 F = 6 G = 7 H = 8 I = 9 J = 10 K = 11 L = 12 M = 13 N = 14 O = 15 P = 16 Q = 17 R = 18 S = 19 T = 20 U = 21 V = 22 W = 23 X = 24 Y = 25 Z = 26 Task: Using your full name (including middle names), add together the values of each letter. For example: Lindsay Williams = 182 (L=12, I=9, N=14, D=4, S=19, A=1, Y=25…. etc) There’s a prize!!

14. The Modular System: Key Information

15. What are we going to cover? • How many modules you need to take • What kind of modules you need to take • Degree Classification • How to plan your programme • Combined Honours Rules • Deadlines for adding and deleting modules • Possible problems • Additional Module Charges • Key points • Other rules to be aware Don’t panic!

16. What do you need to do? Stage 1 (Level 4) • 8 basic modules – Including compulsory modules • (Plus U95002 non-credit module for International Students) Stage 2 (Level 5 and 6) • 16 acceptable modules for your subject including compulsory modules and 6 honours components How do you find out what’s compulsory and ‘honours’?

17. What are the different types of modules? Stage 1 (Level 4) • Basic Modules • Must take all Compulsory Modules • Plus Recommended or Free Choice of modules to make total of 8 Stage 2 (Level 5 and 6) • Can only take modules that are Acceptable for your subject • Including Compulsory Modules and 6 Honours Components to make total of 16 (minimum)

18. How is your Final Degree Classification worked out? • It is based on the average of your best 14 acceptable modules (including all 6 honours components)…i.e. what you do in Stage 2! • Note – you must pass minimum of 16 acceptable modules

19. Classifications 70%+ First (A) 60-69% Upper Second (B+) 50-59% Lower Second (B) 40-49% Third (C)

20. Planning your programme • Only need to plan your First Year at this stage (both semesters) • Check for Prerequisites or Restrictions • Some modules count as two credits (in one semester or over the whole year) • Use your PIP – it gives full details of subject requirements, prerequisites etc.

21. First Year: How many modules do I need to take? • Plan for 4 credits per semester and 8 credits per year….(if you are an international student you may have more e.g. U95002) • 8 is the maximum number of module credits you can take in a year, without additional payment

22. Module Charges • If you take more than 8 module credits you will be charged per additional module credit. • This includes retakes of modules failed. • UK students - £560 • International students - £1350 Another reason to work hard this year!

23. Exceptions to the rule! • Charges do NOT apply to 1 language module per year • This includes U70910 – Academic Writing for Business which International and EU students take • This means, if you want to take a language module as your 9th module credit then you will not be charged. • For a full list of modules see the UMP pages via PIP

24. Combined Honours: Rules • Stage 1 – must take compulsory modules from both subjects and recommended or free choice modules to total 8 module credits. • Stage 2 - minimum 7 credits from each subject including all compulsories from both subjects (but can also elect for major/minor) • Must include 6 honours components

25. Deadlines • Make any changes by Friday Week 0 latest • Can Delete Modules by Friday week 2 latest (but this can cause problems) • You can add and delete modules via PIP (unless you miss the deadlines) • Do not leave yourself short of modules!

26. Possible problems • Failing a module • Resit available if your mark is between 30% and 39% • Less than 30% = Retake • Generally • Less than 6 passes per year • Less than 3 passes per year • Illness etc • Act promptly • Act correctly

27. Key Points • Understand the rules • Plan ahead to take advantage of the flexibility • Check your PIP regularly • Look out for error or warning messages – Act promptly • It is your responsibility to ensure that your programme is correct • Make sure that you save any changes that you make. • If you have any doubts or queries about your first year programme– talk to a Student Support Co-ordinator

28. Other Rules • Check your Student Handbooks and Module Guides for rules that apply at Subject or Module Level • You will receive your subject handbook at the Subject Meeting tomorrow (Thursday) and Module Guides as every new module starts

29. Don’t panic! • We know there’s a lot of information to take in….check out the Induction Web Pages in your own time • PIP is your friend and will let you know exactly what you need to do! • Do not ignore errors and warnings! • Any problems – please don’t be afraid to ask!

30. And finally… • Who hasn’t enrolled yet? • Tomorrow is one of the most important days of induction – you find out about your subject and meet your fellow class mates and some of the staff that will be teaching you • What’s happening next?......