Our introduction took place this week and it was definitely different!
We kicked off the day with an Escape Room challenge! A special thank you to the facilitator from Escape Room Events.
This involved working with our CLS to use clues to enter our locked box, and code-breaking to enter a further three locked boxes, all with the hope of finding the code for a safe filled with goodies.
The activity was so unexpected and really took the team out of our comfort zones, especially when we began the challenge zip-tied to one another with little room for movement.
We were all able to work together, shared clues and ideas to unlock most of our boxes, but we weren’t quite quick enough. Although we did not finish first (nor second), I was really impressed with how our team worked together. My assigned CLS have only met once before and this quite some time ago, with little interaction since. As a new group, getting to know one another, learning each others strengths and weaknesses I would argue we were successful in the underlying objectives of the activity.
Working as a team, under pressure, communicating and navigating through a challenge prepared us for the drop of assignments for this term.
This final module is different in quite a few ways:
- We are combining our learning from the first two modules, applying this to designing a curriculum in full.
- We will need to take a birds-eye view to understand our assignments.
- We must work actively with our CLS to succeed.
- There is a lot more work involved to complete multiple activities.
Our assignment
Task 1
Part 1.1: Formative
Moodle submission deadline: 3rd July
Presentation date: 17th July
- Design a PgDip Course (specialised in an area of pedagogic practice) as a group and present this course to a mock Course Development and Review (CDAR panel).
This task will include completing CU documentation templates and include planning the modules equivalent to 60 credits (teaching, learning and assessment), as well as mapping these to the 6 Coventry pillars.
Part 1.1: Summative (graded)
Moodle submission deadline: 29th July
- Write a 1500 word individual reflective statement informed by part 1.1
Task 2
Online Portfolio of core evidence (pass/fail)
Moodle submission deadline: 29th July
The portfolio must include the following
- 2 x Academic observations, broken down to one observation of a colleague and an observation of oneself. The observation can be of any practice, such as assessment, teaching, 1:1s, etc.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Evidence of engagement in professional dialogue, i.e. FutureLearn/f2f attendance
- UKPSF mapping against D2
- A 1500 word reflective statement on how you have developed as a scholarly practitioner across the PGCert APHE. Note: This is a second reflective assignment and should follow Cov Referencing. This will not be graded, but assessed as part of the pass/fail portfolio.
Overall, this is a massive jump in completing a portfolio and 1 x 2000 reflection, which initially filled me with dread (how on earth could I fit this in). My second fear was how I would possibly manage a group project when located in London (very soon to be Canterbury), whilst my team were based in Coventry. Thankfully, the CLS in attendance are more than willing to use online methods to work on the project and wish to meet prior to f2f sessions, which works perfectly for me and travel.
Since completing initial plans with the team and setting ground rules, I am feeling more confident. This module and the assessment really is a very exciting opportunity to apply myself, my experience and my skills to a COURSE DESIGN!!!!
Just a little note: as this module is larger than others, you will see all my posts regarding the group project now filtered under ‘M09ODL Group Project’, instead of weekly reflections.