Personal and Professional Development Module Handbook | LBU

Contents

• Introduction from the Module Leader   
• Module Aim    
• Module Learning Outcomes    
• Module Learning Activities    
• Graduate Attributes Developed and Assessed    
• Communication    
• Contact Hours    
• Key Resources to Support Learning    
• MyBeckett Guide    
• Disability Advice and Support    
• Weekly Schedule Semester 1    
• Weekly Schedule Semester 2    
• Assessments    
• Assessment Summary    
• Assessment Details    
• Coursework    
• Assessment 1:    
• Assessment 2:    
• Student Instructions for Submission of Coursework    
• Instructions to Students on Rubric:    
• Feedback on Your Assessments    
• Understanding Your Assessment Responsibilities   
• Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation    
• Late Submission    
• Academic Integrity   
• Your Feedback on the Module    

PPD Module Aim

• Using reflective practice, the module will develop Graduate MBA students’ personal, academic and professional skills, which will allow them to maximise their potential at the University and develop career progression strategies.

PPD Module Learning Outcomes

• Understand and evaluate the concept of reflective practice and its importance to ongoing self-development.
• Perform as an independent and critical learner with an understanding of postgraduate study skills and effective academic practice.
• Create strategies and action plans for future career development activities.

PPD Module Learning Activities 

At the beginning of their course, students will be introduced to the concept of lifelong learning, reflective practice and its role in continuing personal and professional development. Progress will be made during this period towards building introspection and helping students identify areas for personal and professional development. A personal audit will enable the student to identify areas for skill and knowledge development, while the learning agreement will set out an agreed schedule of learning engagement (e.g. skills workshops). Students will then, with the support of their tutor, work towards achieving their learning objectives. The module will incorporate practical exercises that will encourage students to practice key aspects of personal and professional development, such as effective communication skills, both written and oral. Additionally, workshops designed for expanding employability, such as CV and cover letter writing, building LinkedIn portfolios, and utilising information sources, will be carried out. 

The module will use guest speakers to deliver workshops on building careers, finding key resources, interview skills, and continuing professional development/ Students will complete University online modules on study skills, Academic Integrity, and related workshops from Library colleagues. The emphasis will be on formative feedback to allow students to be in control of their learning and development as the module and course progress. 

Weekly Schedule Semester 1 

Weekly Schedule Semester 2

Assessments

Assessment Summary

Assessment 1

Assessment 2

Assessment Details 

Assessment 1: In-person Group Presentation Using PPT Slides

For assessment 1, students are required to work in groups of 4-5 members. A presentation of 16 minutes (for groups of 4), or 20 mins (for groups of 5) is to be made in class. This time frame maxes out at 4 minutes presentation per person per group. 

The presentation file should be around 1400 words (+/-10%) This includes the presentation slides plus appendix slides. References are not included in the wordcount. Do not jampack the presentation slides with text to make up the word count. You can, however, cram extra research and information into appendix slides at the end which will not be presented but reviewed upon submission. 70% of the score is based on presentation quality and teamwork quality during the allotted time. 30% is based on how richly the content was researched and how well-thought-out the presentation is.

The Presentation Must Respond to the Following Key Points

• Using Kolb’s reflective cycle, discuss the importance and role of reflection in your personal and professional development as a team.
• Outline 3-5 challenges faced by youths in personal and professional development.
• Discuss feasible solutions to the points made in section 2.
• Outline 5 action steps towards your academic development and success at LBU LBS as a team.
• Outline 5 practical action steps towards your professional development as a team.

Key Presentation Requirements: 

• Good presentation design. Not crowded and jampacked or difficult to see slides. Properly put together PPT files.
• No constant reading from notes or slides during the presentation. Students are expected to prepare and practice well in advance. Students’ ability to cohesively present their research ideas from their minds without relying on slides or notes will be assessed.
• Students are required to engage the audience during their presentation.
• Formal appearance during the presentation is recommended.
• There will be point penalisations for exceeding the 16-minute (for groups of 4), or 20 minutes (for groups of 5) time limit.
• Teamwork and ability to answer questions asked will be assessed.

Assessment 2

Individual reflective essay accompanied by a Portfolio (evidence of completion of university skills modules, CV, cover letter, LinkedIn Profile, PDP, Completed Job Application, etc)

Students are required to write a 3500-word (references not included) reflective essay of their learning through the module, discussing their reflections and lessons learned on the topics covered in semesters 1 and 2 

They should discuss their learning based on all the topics as they relate to:

• Academic development,
• Personal development, and
• Professional development
• For each point (1-3), carry out a SWOT analysis discussion on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Discuss 5-10 action steps/ strategies for each section (1-3) you will employ towards improving yourself in that area moving forward.
• Attach your portfolio files including a) evidence of completion of your university skills module, b) your updated CV, c) cover letter, d) LinkedIn profile, e) personal development plan, and f) a completed job application pdf, and any extra evidence related to improving your professional portfolio (maximum 2 extra).

Student Instructions for Submission of Coursework 

For this module, you are required to submit your work online.

You MUST submit your work through MyBeckett using the link set up by the tutor close to the assessment submission deadline. Receipt of your work will be recorded.

Your "Turnitin assignments" in MyBeckett can be set up so that you can check your assignment yourself as you submit it. This is done by creating a "Similarity Report".  If this report indicates that there are some issues with your work, such as uncited quotations or high plagiarism, you should be able to make corrections and resubmit the work again just before the due date. More information about Turnitin is available online here: Leeds Beckett University Library