Module: Independent Study

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Independent Study
Module Code	NS5119 (ITS) / HEA1041 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinator	Liz Hartnett
Module Teachers	Briege Casey
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only

Description

The purpose of this module is to enable students to take responsibility for identifying and meeting their own learning needs. Students who take this module develop a learning contract in negotiation with their academic supervisor. This entails writing up their own learning outcomes, identifying how they can be achieved and providing evidence of that achievement. This module is suitable for students who are motivated to learn independently and will appeal to those who have identified a particular area of learning that is not addressed in the overall programme.

Learning Outcomes

1. Show evidence of motivation in negotiating a programme of study
2. Demonstrate the ability to take control of their learning
3. Demonstrate advancement of their knowledge and understanding of an identified area of health/social care
4. Appraise how the existing body of knowledge of the identified area is applied in their practice

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	2	Introductory lecture concerning principles and practice of independent study, role of students, supervisor and module coordinator. Developing a learning plan and progress reports
Independent Study	245	Academic support in this module will be provided through negotiating a programme of study supported by opportunities for discussion with an assigned academic supervisor. The nature of tutorial contact is flexible and may be face to face communication, e-mail communication or other means. The maximum number of one to one contact time is five hours.
Workshop	3	Mid-semester workshop to review student progress and provide tailored support
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

learning activities
Independent Study Students will develop a learning contract in negotiation with their academic supervisor. This entails writing up their own learning outcomes, identifying how they can be achieved, undertaking the agreed work and providing evidence of that achievement

Principles of independent study
Introduction to the principles of Independent Learning; the role of the student, their supervisor and the module co-ordinator in this module; How to develop a learning plan and progress reports. Introductory lecture and mid semester workshop

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Portfolio	Students will submit a portfolio containing: 1. A short progress report based on the process of their learning on the module 2. The completed piece of work (e.g. report, research paper) agreed between the student, supervisor and module co-ordinator	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None