Topics
GAs
Guide to...
MSc

Links
IT & Web
Teaching
RnR
Palm

Ext Links
ITCDU

Mini-Modules

The aim of these 'mini-modules' is to provide students with tasks centred around learning and using Information & Communication Technology. Originally intended for students who have finished their time-tabled course early and want to go expand their skills base, they could be used by keen students in their own time.

The tasks will also use the core skills focussed on by the new Higher Still initiative, allowing students to practice:

• communication: reading, writing and oral.
• numeracy: numbers and charts.
• problem solving: critical thinking, planning & organisation, reviewing & evaluating.
• information technology: using IT.
• working with others.

The mini-modules follow a standard format:

• Mini-module: based on a theme, e.g. motor-cars. The target time for the completion of the mini-module is 10 hours.
• Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3: each LO has a task based around one aspect of the module's theme, and using a computer program to complete the task. E.g. draw up a questionnaire to find out what aspects of a motor car design your class-mates consider to be most important, producing a chart of the end-result. Each LO will take an average of 3 hours to complete, and is split into 3 sections.
  • Section 1: Introduction and overview of task covered in Learning Outcome.
  • Section 2: How to use the ICT technology to help with the task.
  • Section 3: Carry out the task.
• Learning Outcome 4: overview and summary of what the student has learnt in the first 3 outcomes, e.g. a multiple choice test on aspects of cars covered by LO1-3. LO4 should take an average of 1 hour to complete.

Planned themes include:

• Cars
  • LO1: What makes a good car good? Think about the various factors of a car, draw up a questionnaire and ask your class-mates' opinions. Then plot the results on a chart.
  • LO2: Design your own car, with a graphics package, then by filling out an interactive Web form.
  • LO3: Design a bumper-sticker using MS Publisher.
  • LO4: Questions & answers session.
• Simulations
  • LO1: Hospitality simulation.
  • LO2: Simulated job interview (e.g. hotseat).
  • LO3: Simulated office.
  • LO4: Questions & answers session.
• Personal Communication
  • LO1: Paper-based e.g. letter-writing, CV, report-writing.
  • LO2: Electronic e.g email & chat.
  • LO3: Face-to-face e.g. giving a talk, job interview skills.
  • LO4: Questions & answers session.
• Media Studies
  • LO1: What makes a script - genre (action, romance, sci-fi), plot, location, actors, etc. . Storyboard the movie using PowerPoint
  • LO2: You are an actor, what do you need (photos, resume, etc) [www.starvingactor.com]
  • LO3: You are a producer on a movie and must balance the books (cost, etc) - either using Excel, or an intervactive JavaScript form.
  • LO4: Questions & answers session.
• Health
  • LO1: BMI - what is it, etc.
  • LO2: Diet e.g. using a Web calorie counter.
  • LO3: Exercise.
  • LO4: Questions & answers session.
• Music
• Sport
• Fashion
• Food
• Motor bikes
• Discos/night clubs
• Families
• Animals
• Careers/jobs