Teaching, learning and assessment methods
Core knowledge and understanding is taught via the use of specially prepared texts, reference texts, learning guides, directed reading, DVDs/CDs, videos, web-based resources and CD-ROMs. Interactive learning helps to consolidate knowledge and understanding and develops skills. It takes place via the activities within the prepared texts. These may involve you working alone with ideas, referred across perhaps to other course components or resources to draw upon. It may also take place online in guided discussion with other students. Additionally there will be opportunities for interactive learning in face-to-face group tutorials or day schools.
You will work independently with the teaching materials but are encouraged to form self-help groups. Tutors support students both face to face and also through correspondence tuition providing detailed guidance and feedback on assignments.
Assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning and you will be required to complete scheduled assignments. These may take the form of essays, case studies, reflective accounts, interviews, questionnaires or projects. End-of-module assessment may be via a written three hour examination or a reflective review as a piece of extended writing. The examinations use a similar style of questions as in the assignments, suitably adapted for exam conditions.
Cognitive skills are promoted by the critical approach of the specially prepared texts and the other course resources. You are encouraged to develop your own skills via the activities and exercises in the materials and through the tutorials and day schools. Within the context of the module and level, many activities require you to implement one or more of the cognitive skill outcomes.
As you progress through the levels of the programme, you will be expected to:
- demonstrate initially a capacity to describe and articulate key understandings
- then to examine, evaluate and compare different accounts and competing evidence
- finally, at honours level, to analyse critically, taking account of the basis of any evidence and reviewing the level of risk and implications of any consequent actions.
Such skills are assessed via the same assignments and exams outlined above, any of which require demonstration of one of more cognitive skills. Developmental feedback from your tutor encourages further refinement and progression.
A framework for the development and assessment of key skills will be established through specific Level 1 and 2 modules. The key introductory module in health and social care assumes that you are new to degree-level study and offers carefully paced and structured support in developing study skills and basic information handling and communication skills. A series of ICT skills modules are incorporated in to the practice learning module in order to lay down a foundation capability for using ICT (to ECDL standards) and developing further information literacy and learning skills in later modules. An integrated series of face-to-face workshops and online tutorials run right through the practice modules and enable key skills development to be supported and assessed.
These skills are further developed through a choice of specific Level 2 (SCQF level 8/9) modules of occupational relevance to the student or area of interest.
Teaching on the practice learning module will be delivered in workshops. Each workshop will include training style activities to develop your ability to understand key concepts and develop practice skills.
Written assessment will require you to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical basis of social work and how you have applied this to practice. You will be required to show an ability to reflect on your own practice.