Teaching, learning and assessment methods
Knowledge and understanding are acquired at all levels through published distance-learning materials, including specially written study materials, study guides, assignments and project guides; through a range of multimedia material; through work on original texts; and through feedback on assignments. The key teaching vehicles are supported open learning materials which comprise a range of compulsory reader texts and specially prepared study guides directing your reading and illustrating key teaching points. Your learning is supported by a tutor who is your first and main point of contact, answering your queries, grading and commenting on your work and facilitating group learning
To support the development of your group-working and ICT skills, you are required to participate in online forums. This also provides you with an additional environment in which to share learning and resolve module-related problems.
Assessment of the knowledge and understanding components of the programme is achieved through a combination of continuous assessment and exams. These assessments are central to the teaching of each module, enabling tutors to identify and comment on your knowledge and understanding. The specialism subject also has project-based assessment at Level 3.
At Level 1, the approach is interdisciplinary. You may choose modules from a range of disciplines, developing knowledge and understanding in a range of subject areas. At Levels 2 and 3 the three compulsory modules are rooted within the business studies discipline, but the specialism modules come from the economics discipline.
Cognitive skills and processes are introduced at a very simple level at Level 1, primarily via material specifically designed to develop social science, technological or mathematical skills in a progressive way. Although modules at Levels 2 and 3 continue this work, there is significant variation between compulsory and optional modules in the degree to which skills are taught explicitly in the study materials. Significant teaching is, however, maintained through the assessment strategy and tutor feedback.
In the three compulsory modules you are encouraged to develop specified skills. In each module the specific components of the skills is identified, mapping out where each skill will be developed and practised. As the module progresses these skills are sign-posted and you are offered an opportunity to practise them in association with your work on the study materials. Initially, the module study guides offer you advice and guidance with these activities, but as you progress through each module, the extent of this guidance decreases so as to encourage independent learning
In the Level 2 modules, you are asked to analyse your progress with skills associated with your current work, submitting this assessment as part of your assignments. This allows you to develop a systematic and self-conscious approach to your skill development, assisted and supported by your tutor. These activities culminate in an assessment solely concerned with skills development where you are asked to reflect on your skills progression and achievement.
The Level 3 module expects you to show application of skills developed earlier. In requiring you to work with fellow students in a virtual group using online forums, it also aims to develop your ability to conduct independent research using a variety of databases and websites, and to develop online group-working skills.
In addition, depending on the modules taken, other more discipline-specific skills will be developed and assessed.
The first two of these practical and/or professional skills (listed above) refer to the vocational relevance of the degree. Whilst not all occupationally specific, all teaching and assessment strategies will help you develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to the workplace, whatever combination of modules you take.
The final three outcomes are at the heart of the business studies, developed as a consequence of module work throughout the programme and implicitly built into assessment.
Communication
The open nature of entry to the OU means there is considerable emphasis on reading and writing skills at Level 1. At subsequent levels there are assumptions about your basic abilities in these areas, although tutor feedback on writing skills continues to be important. However, the material from which you work becomes increasingly complex and diverse, and more sophisticated skills of interpretation, selection and synthesis are required.
Application of number
Again, you are taught these basic skills at Level 1 and at least one of the assessment items will use these as a focus, with more opportunity for learning by tutor feedback. The extent to which you continue to develop these skills will depend on modules taken, with modules from the economics discipline, mathematics and accounting modules taking you considerably further.
Information technology
Although you are introduced to issues related to information technology in a range of modules from Levels 1 to 3, the ability to work with information technology is a compulsory element in two of the three compulsory modules and in several of the optional modules (e.g. Technology and Accounting modules) in the named degree, although you may select modules (at Level 1) that give you the opportunity to develop skills in this area.
Learning how to learn
Because OU students are part-time and studying at a distance, there is strong emphasis on helping you to develop as an independent learner. At Level 1 this means helping you to develop basic skills (e.g. time planning, using feedback and support), but also laying the foundations for the increasing emphasis on reflection at Levels 2 and 3. This is not assessed directly but will be demonstrated by an increasing ability to study autonomously.
Assessment, in the majority of cases, is via tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and examination. The assessment strategy at Level 1 also has a strong focus on cognitive skills development for which you obtain detailed feedback. Key skills are central to the presentation of assignments, and consequently they are assessed throughout the programme both via continuous assessment and examination.
There is increasing emphasis at Level 3 on the selection and use of material from a range of sources including original texts. Assessment of subject knowledge and understanding is linked to the benchmarking standards of individual disciplines.