Pm105 Study Skills Assignment Brief

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PM105 Study Skills Assignment Brief

Semester:	E15 (Autumn 2015)
Module Code:	PM105
Module Title:	Study Skills
Programme	All BA & BSc programmes
Level:	Level 4
Awarding Body:	University of Plymouth
Module Leader	Sheila Karsan
Format:	Reflection/PDP + Presentation + Business Report
Presentation:	Yes
Any special requirements:	All final written work (Reflection/PDP and Business Report) should be submitted on the Student Portal together with an acceptable Turnitin Report. The Presentation is individual and delivered in class.
Word Count:	Reflection/PDP (PDP): 1,000 words (plus or minus 10%) Presentation (P): 10 minutes (including questions) Business Report (BR): 2,000 words (plus or minus 10%)
Deadline date for submission:	Reflection/PDP: Tuesday 10^th November, 12.00 midday (Week 6) Presentation(s): Weeks commencing 30^th November and 7^th December 2015 in class (Weeks 9/10) Business Report: Tuesday 15th December, 12.00 midday (Week 11)
Learning outcomes to be examined in this assessment	a) Critically reflect on learning across the programme and produce a personal development plan b) Demonstrate competence in a range of business and academic skills and apply them in an organisational/enterprise setting c) Communicate effectively both in written (report)) and oral (presentation) form d) Collect and analyse appropriate data from a range of learning/information sources e) Undertake research tasks, both individually and in groups, with appropriate guidance f) Demonstrate understanding of global, ethical and organisational responsibility issues
Percentage of marks awarded for module:	These assessments add up to 100% of the marks for the module weighted as follows: Reflection/PDP = 10% Presentation = 20% Business Report = 70% Successful completion of the Study Skills module is dependent upon achieving a pass standard for each part of the coursework.

Detailed
Briefs for Coursework Assessments

Assessment Task

The assessment strategy for
this module is for you to provide a portfolio of work that demonstrates your
development of appropriate skills through the module.

The portfolio of work consists of three parts. In order to pass the module, you need to
achieve a pass grade for each of the three elements of the assessment. Reassessment is for the Business Report.

There are two written
assessments (Reflection/PDP and Business Report) and one oral presentation.

The assessments are
designed to evaluate your appreciation of the power of reflection and how to
engage in continuous personal development, report writing and presentation
skills. These skills and abilities
represent the core skills required for undergraduate study, but also key
skills required for people entering the workforce as business graduates.

Below are details of each
assessment task and the overall scheme of assessment.

Assessment format

Mid-Term Reflection and PDP: Template* provided

Business Report (RP): Formal business report structure

Presentation (P): PowerPoint

*A template for this will be
provided via GSM Learn in MS Word format. You will be expected to complete
the template for this assignment; failure to do so will impact upon the
grade awarded.

Learning
outcomes to be examined in this assessment

a)
Critically
reflect on learning across the programme and produce a personal development
plan (Initial Self-Assessment, BR, PDP)

b)
Demonstrate
competence in a range of business and academic skills and apply them in an
organisational/enterprise setting (P, BR)

c)
Communicate
effectively both in written (reports, summaries etc.) and oral
(presentations) form (P, BR)

d)
Collect
and analyse appropriate data from a range of learning sources (BR)

e)
Undertake
research tasks, both individually and in groups, with appropriate guidance
(BR)

f)
Demonstrate
understanding of global, ethical and organisational responsibility issues
(BR)

g)
Produce
a PDP covering the first 2 semesters of study at GSM (Initial
Self-Assessment/PDP)

1.
Mid-term Reflection and
PDP (10%)

You are required to complete
a PDP template as provided (available via GSM Learn) to support you in writing
a structured reflection and a PDP that will take you through the next 4
semesters of your undergraduate studies.

Background

Reflection is one of the
ways in which it is possible to extract value from learning experiences. Reflection does not come naturally to many
undergraduate students and is not commonly taught in earlier training and
educational experiences. This exercise
is in place to encourage reflection early in undergraduate studies.

The development of
self-awareness and the ability to plan for improvement in your own performance
or Personal Development Planning (PDP) is an important skill to assist you in
improving your employability. During this
module, you will be challenged to put in place a PDP which will take you
through to the development of your final semester project.

Task

Complete the Mid-term
Reflection/PDP Template provided in about 1,000 words; and ensure that you
include the following:
A Mid-term Self-Assessment
Questionnaire, completed in consideration of the Initial Self-Assessment
Questionnaire and Plan you undertook in Week 1.
A reflection on your
development and performance during this semester, answering the question:
what have you learned about your own performance? (NB The Module Learning
Objectives contained in Module Handbooks should be used as objective
measures of performance)

An analysis of the
current situation that you face identifying behaviours which require
change, answering the questions:

What do I need to
change in order to raise the standard of my performance?
Why are these
behaviours happening, and why are they impacting upon my performance?
A PDP based upon your
current performance level and the developmental changes that you will make
during the next 4 semesters of your course, answering the question: how
will I change the behaviours that are impacting upon my performance?

2.
Oral presentation (20%)

The Topic

Present
the company you have chosen to analyse in your Business Report. Your
presentation should include some analysis of whether the company’s decision to
be more ethical is proving to be a success amongst consumers or not, providing
examples of why that is the case. Do not
just provide a descriptive account
of the company’s ethical strategy. It is NOT necessary to include a detailed
description of ethical consumerism in the presentation.

The Assignment Task

Time
is 10 minutes to include time for questions. You should aim to speak for 7 to 9
minutes.

The
presentation must be developed and
delivered using Microsoft PowerPoint. You must ensure that your presentation
has been saved on a memory stick.

You
should print a copy of your slides for the lecturer.

Assessment

The
lecturer will assess the presentations, in class during weeks 9 and 10 of the
semester.

Brief
individual feedback on presentations will be provided in class during week 8.

The
assessment criteria will be discussed with the classes in detail but are based
upon:

Content and Question and Answer,
including analysis and research
Language Use, including
vocabulary and grammar
Delivery, including use of voice
and eye contact
Organisation and Visual Aids,
including use of PowerPoint

3.
Written Report (70%)

Write an analytical business report
on what ethical consumerism means for businesses.

Choose
a company and explain and analyse how they operate ethically. This must take
into account the ethicsand values of the company you choose to
focus on.

The
report must be written in business
report format and include the following sections:

·
An executive summarywhich gives a brief
overview of the argument in your report including key findings and conclusions.

·
A contents page which lists the sections and the
page numbers.

·
An introductionwhich gives an overview of
the structure of your report.

·
A brief overview and analysis of ethical consumerism,identifying the examples of some of the products which fall
into the ethical category. You must include a definition of ethical consumerism
and arguments as to why it is a good strategy for businesses to adopt.

·
A detailed review of one company claiming to operate ethically. Provide
evidence as to how ethical the chosen company is linking this with their ethics
and values.

·
The results of a short opinion surveyon what influences consumer buying behaviour, carried out by
you from a small sample of 10-15 students at GSM London. You need to conduct
primary research for this section.

·
A conclusionwhich includes critical
evaluation of ethical consumerism based on the evidence that you have gathered
both from your primary and secondary research, focusing on the company you have
chosen for detailed review.

·
Recommendationsas to what your chosen company
should do to improve their performance in relation to ethical consumerism.

·
You must include a references list after the main body
of the report. Remember to use Harvard referencing where appropriate.

·
A copy of your opinion survey should be included in an appendix.

Word limit:
Not more than 2000 +/- 10%

A suggested
word count for each section is given below.

Executive summary	100 words
Introduction	200 words
Ethical consumerism	400 words
Company review	600 words
Opinion survey	400 words (not including survey/tables etc)
Conclusion	200 words
Recommendations	100 words

Supporting material will be posted on GSM Learn, but
you will be expected to undertake research using newspaper/magazine/web
articles, journals and text books. There will also be input in class time to
assist you with the topic.

A brief introduction to ethical
consumerism

On
April 24 2013, a building known as the Rana Plaza collapsed on top of garment
workers inside its factories, killing more than 1,100 people and injuring
2,500. It would be known as the worst ever accident in the garment industry
anywhere in the world.

It
was later discovered that 28 brands that sourced clothes from the plaza
included Primark, Benetton, Mango, Matalan and Bonmarché, prompting public
concern about the working conditions of garment factories around the world
which contribute to western high street fashion stores.

Ethical consumerism encourages people to think about
how the products they buy are sourced and produced and which arenot harmful to the
environment and society. This can be evidenced through simply purchasing eggs
that are free-range or boycotting goods/companies which promote child labour or
unsavoury working conditions.

The
range of product areas which fall into the ethical category includes:

·
.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalreports/bankingindustrysectorreport.aspx” title=”Banking Industry Report from Ethical Consumer”>Banking and finance

·
.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalreports/energyindustrysectorreport.aspx” title=”Energy industry sector report from Ethical Consumer”>Energy

·
.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalreports/fashionindustry.aspx” title=”Fashion industry report from Ethical Consumer”>Fashion

·
.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalreports/foodindustrysectorreport.aspx” title=”Food Industry report from Ethical Consumer”>Food
and drinks

·
Travel
and tourism

Ethical consumerism is a growing
market; a recent report from the Co-operative Bank showed a third of UK
consumers claiming to be concerned about ethical consumption, with a large
number of the public willing to challenge and boycott companies which do not
comply with ethical standards.

PM105 Study Skills Mid-term Reflection and
PDP Marking Criteria

Indicative Grade	UK % marks	Characteristics
Distinction	70%+	Reflection: Consideration of the formative Initial Self-Assessment Questionnaire, identifying areas where students have indicated 3, 4 and 5 on the scale and a comprehensive plan for change, to a high standard. Analysis of Current Performance: A fully developed SWOT analysis demonstrating clear insight into behaviours that affect progression and the underlying reasons why those behaviours happen. PDP: A clearly articulated developmental plan, showing which behaviours will be changed; how the change will be achieved; and the time period for achievement of the changes. A plan which captures short and medium term objectives covering the period of 4 semesters.
Merit	69-60%	Reflection: Consideration of the formative Initial Self-Assessment Questionnaire, identifying areas where students have indicated 3, 4 and 5 on the scale and a developed plan for change. Analysis of Current Performance: A partially developed SWOT analysis demonstrating some insight into behaviours that affect progression and the underlying reasons why those behaviours happen. PDP: A partial developmental plan, showing some behaviours to be changed; how the change will be achieved; and the time period for achievement of the changes. A plan which captures some short and medium term objectives covering the period of 4 semesters.
Pass	59-40%	Reflection: Consideration of the formative Initial Self-Assessment Questionnaire, identifying areas where students have indicated 3, 4 and 5 on the scale and a partially developed plan for change. Analysis of Current Performance: A partially developed analysis of strengths and weaknesses, limited understanding of opportunities and threats. The analysis demonstrates some insight into behaviours that affect progression and some understanding of underlying reasons why those behaviours happen. PDP: A partial developmental plan, showing a few behaviours to be changed; how the change will be achieved; and limited understanding of the time period for achievement of the changes. A plan which captures a few short and medium term objectives covering the period of 4 semesters.
	PASS MARK=40%
E	39-30%	Reflection: Little or no consideration of the formative Initial Self-Assessment Questionnaire and no developed plan for change. Analysis of Current Performance: A very limited or non-existent analysis of strengths and weaknesses, no understanding of opportunities and threats. The analysis demonstrates very little or no insight into behaviours that affect progression and little or no understanding of underlying reasons why those behaviours happen. PDP: A vague developmental plan, showing some things to be changed; but not how the change will be achieved; and little or no understanding of the time period for achievement of the changes. A plan which does not capture short and medium term objectives covering the period of 4 semesters.

PM105 Study Skills Business Report
Marking Criteria

Indicative Grade	UK % marks	Characteristics
Distinction	70%+	Analysis: a very high standard of critical analysis. Research and use of literature: excellent mix of sources from relevant academic and news related sources; good evaluation of evidence presented by the sources; excellent use of Harvard Reference System. Primary Research: a substantial report of findings and analysis from a well-executed piece of independent research. Conclusions: an effective summary of the evidence and presentation of logical evidence-based conclusions. Recommendations:excellent and related to the company. Clearly structured and logically developed arguments. Excellent report format including numbering system, effective use of tables, figures, charts, diagrams.
Merit	69-60%	Analysis: a good standard of critical analysis. Research and use of literature: a good mix of sources from relevant academic and news related sources; some evaluation of evidence presented by the sources; good use of Harvard Reference System. Primary Research: a substantial report of findings and analysis from a reasonable piece of independent research. Conclusions: an effective summary of the most of the evidence and presentation of some logical evidence-based conclusions. Recommendations: good and related to the company. Some clearly structured and logically developed arguments. Good report format including numbering system, some effective use of tables, figures, charts, diagrams.
Pass	59-50%	Analysis: some evidence of critical analysis. Research and use of literature: a fair mix of references from relevant academic and news related sources; limited evaluation of evidence presented by the sources; mostly consistent use of Harvard Reference System. Primary Research: a reasonable report of findings and analysis from a piece of independent research. Conclusions: a summary of some of the evidence and presentation of some evidence-based conclusions. Recommendations:reasonable recommendations. Limited development of logical arguments. Clear report format including numbering system.
Pass	49-40%	Analysis: little evidence of critical analysis. Research and use of literature: a few references from relevant academic and news related sources; little or no evaluation of evidence presented by the sources; some evidence of the use of Harvard Reference System. Primary Research: some evidence of completion of a piece of independent research. Conclusions: a limited summary of some of the evidence. Recommendations:may not be directly related to the company. Very limited development of logical arguments. Reasonable report format.
	PASS MARK=40%

39-30%

Analysis: Description rather than analysis.

Research and use of literature: a few sources of limited relevance;
no evaluation of evidence presented by the sources; limited or no evidence of
the use of Harvard Reference System.

Primary Research: no evidence of completion of a piece
of independent research.

Conclusions: purely personal opinions.

Recommendations: not related to the report.

No
evidence of the development of logical arguments.

Haphazard
format which is not a
report.

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Pm105 Study Skills Assignment Brief

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