BUSINESS SKILLS (APPRENTICESHIP) - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module will provide an introduction to the degree apprenticeship programme as well as introducing learners to some key business skills and giving them an opportunity to practise them. It will also introduce them to some of the key learning tools and techniques that they will need to make good progress on the programme.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

ADCROFT Andrew (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Teaching block 3

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Employability – what are the skills and attitudes employers are looking for? How are these demonstrated most effectively?

• Understanding oneself and others – how are people motivated; how to deal with different forms of motivation, including growth versus stable mindset. Advantages of the growth mindset and how to develop it

• Time Management and personal effectiveness (including use of Office tools)

• Building a personal brand and using it effectively to achieve results

• The importance of trust and candor: Giving and receiving effective feedback

• Personal Impact & Presentation Skills – including use of PowerPoint (and other tools) to develop impactful presentations

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide learners with the opportunity to demonstrate all intended module learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and behaviours, and to provide maximum opportunity for applied learning.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Assessment 1
Individual presentation (recorded) on a subject to be determined, with individual questions and the opportunity for feedback, to be assessed on quality of presentation and personal impact (maximum 10 minutes).

Assessment 2
Written report on a selected aspect of the module content, utilising diverse sources of further information, including but not limited to the suggested reading list (maximum 1000 words).

Formative assessment
Learners work regularly as individuals and in groups to complete various activities to develop their personal understanding (and reflective practice), oral presentation skills and business knowledge over the course of the module.
Learners will be provided with the criteria and weighting for each component of the assessments when they are introduced at the beginning of the module.

Feedback
Learners will be given formal feedback on their assessments in line with the University’s policy on assessment and feedback, and within the current three-week feedback period. Learners will receive regular, informal feedback on their contribution throughout the module.

Module aims

• To ensure that learners are able to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will enable them to study successfully and to function effectively in an organisational context with a special emphasis on self-management, teamwork and presentation skills
• To introduce learners to the personal and professional development process that is integral to the degree apprenticeship programme

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The hours listed within the overall student workload section represent off-the-job learning.

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to incorporate a blended learning approach, centred around the key online learning design principles of – Learner-centred; Useful; Engaging; Flexible; Consistent; Supportive and Accessible.

In line with the Apprenticeship Off the Job Training guidance, the teaching and learning undertaken on this module will reflect the following categories of training:

1. Teaching of Theory – may include lectures, role play, simulation exercises, online learning, research and networking)

2. Practical Training – may include shadowing, mentoring, industry visits and participation in competitions

3. Learning support and time spent writing assignments and partaking in assessments

4. Reflective learning and self-evaluation to impart new knowledge, skills and behaviours only.

The module will provide learners with the foundation to be agile, connected, human, bold and sustainable in the business world. This teaching strategy contributes to learners’ career progression by drawing on their real-world experience as well as theoretical frameworks.

Learners are encouraged to:

• Assess their current learning and professional practice and through that identify areas of weakness and strengths

• Take advantage of appropriate learning opportunities within this module’s activities, the wider university, their own workplace and online to enhance their contributions to the organisations in which they work

• Demonstrate creativity, competence and confidence

• Reflect on their progress using feedback from tutors and peers

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Face to face and online lectures/webinars to facilitate discussion about key areas of learning

• Online discussion groups to empower learners to communicate their creative thinking and make an impact through collaboration

• Facilitated access to supporting material provided on SurreyLearn virtual learning platform

Learners completing this module will undertake a combination of campus-based sessions and online directed learning activities supported through SurreyLearn. Learners, with support from their employers, will be expected to demonstrate accountability and commitment to effectively managing their agreed off-the-job training hours to complete required learning activities and assessments. Learners should take an active part in any asynchronous activities such as forums, wikis, blogs etc., as well as synchronous activities (i.e. virtual meetings, webinars etc.) as appropriate. Participation in these activities will be essential to the successful achievement of the learning outcomes in this module.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN1122

Other information

Through completion of the learning and assessments for this module, it is expected that most learners will be able to produce suitable evidence for their Portfolio of Evidence to fully or partially meet specific assessment criteria for the following areas of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship Standard. Learners may also refer to the CMDA Assessment Plan for further information. Communication 6.3. Interpersonal skills awareness including effective listening, influencing techniques, negotiating and persuasion (K) Awareness of Self and Others 10.1. How to be self–aware and recognise different learning styles (K) 10.3. Reflect on own performance, identifying and acting on learning and development needs (S) Management of Self 11.1. How to manage time, set goals, prioritise activities and undertake forward planning in a business environment with a focus on outcomes (K) 11.2. Create personal development plan, and use widely recognised tools and techniques to ensure the management of time and pressure effectively, and prioritisation and strategic alignment of activities (S) K – Knowledge S – Skills B – Behaviours Degree apprenticeships are delivered over three teaching blocks: • Teaching Block 1 - September - December • Teaching Block 2 - January - April • Teaching Block 3 - May - August

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.