NS0429 - Lifelong Learning for Professional Practice

You will learn through face-to-face lectures and online student learning which will introduce key concepts. These will be explored further within seminar sessions, which will include individual and peer group activities. You will be expected to complete explicit tutor guided independent learning and access the electronic learning platform during the module. You will be supported throughout to enable your development as a lifelong learner.

You will be supported through face-to-face dialogue in taught sessions. In addition, online group tutorial support for your summative assignment will be available. Extensive support is also accessible on-line, through the use of the e-learning portal, social networking and collaborative tools. A central feature of the academic support available to you is the service provided by Northumbria University library and the MCAST main campus library (details to be found at https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/university-library/ andhttps://www.mcast.edu.mt/library-services/) These online services support your learning needs, provide extensive access to electronic journals, texts and other literature and have online self-directed tutorials that will directly support the development of academic skills aimed at improving your critical thinking and analytical writing.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

By the end of the module you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate an ability to write in an academic style, utilising an appropriate referencing system and understand the implications of academic misconduct.
2. Develop effective searching techniques and retrieve and utilise information from a variety of professional sources.
3. Recognise different forms of evidence and research and understand their importance in supporting professional nursing practice with patients and clients of all ages with diverse health and nursing needs.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Reflect on the relevant skills and attributes required for you to be an effective lifelong learner within your professional nursing role with patients and clients of all ages with diverse health and nursing needs.
Personal Values Attributes:
5. Recognise your personal and professional responsibility for continuing professional development as part of lifelong learning within nursing.

Formative Assessment
This will take the form of a 1000 word essay which will demonstrate appropriate academic writing style and explore lifelong learning relevant to your professional practice. High quality formative feedback will be provided on the development of your academic writing style in preparation for the summative essay.
(MLO 1,2 3, 4 & 5).

Summative Assessment
This will take the form of a 2000 word essay which will demonstrate appropriate academic writing and explore the evidence base which supports lifelong learning relevant to your professional practice. You will be expected to have responded to feedback provided on your formative essay.
(MLO 1,2 3, 4 & 5).

You will receive written, online, feedback identifying what you have done well and providing suggestions for improvement.

None

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In this module you will begin your development as a lifelong learner. You will consider the skills and attributes required for your own continuing professional development as a student in Higher Education and to aid your future employability as a First Level Nurse. You will develop the skills to write academically including how to reference appropriately and accurately within a Higher Education context. You will develop an understanding of how different sources of knowledge can be used to support professional nursing practice with patients and clients of all ages, with diverse health and nursing needs including: older people; pregnant and post-natal women; people with mental health needs or learning disabilities. This will include an introduction to research and evidence based practice, where you will begin to learn how to critically read and analyse evidence and reflect on relevant professional issues. Your digital literacy skills will be enhanced through the use of online resources, electronic library materials, accessing 'Skills Plus', an online library learning service, completing online student activities and electronic submission of assignments and access to feedback. The “flipped classroom” will enable you to learn to work independently and in groups on structured activities drawing on knowledge you have already gained from online activity. This will equip you with the skills to fully engage with and participate in subsequent face to face learning at MCAST, in practice or in virtual classrooms. This model will be replicated in modules throughout the programme. The assessment method used within the module is specifically designed to help you develop your academic writing and it feed forward into subsequent assessments.