CDMF25-Enhancing the Effectiveness of your Service: processes and information

Module Provider: School of Continuing Education
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Level: 7
Terms in which taught:
Module Convenor: JM Digby
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: j.m.digby@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
To equip trainees with the knowledge and skills needed to monitor and enhance the effectiveness of their service. It aims to allow participants to reflect on the processes in operation in the service and how the information systems in place support and/or record such activities.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
1. evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the service’s current provision
2. develop frameworks and measurements, informed by both the institutional and national contexts and professional theoretical and eithical stance, which allow the regular evaluation of the service’s activities and performance
3. Critically evaluate the use of management information as a strategic resource
4. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the service’s or the institution’s management information

Additional outcomes:
Information-handling and problem-solving skills will be developed. IT skills can also be developed by the use of relevant web resources and databases and through word-processing of coursework. Students will also have learned some time management skills.

Outline content:
This module explores the processes and activities undertaken by the service and guides participants in how to ensure their effectiveness and efficiency informed by the collection, analysis and interpretation of relevant and up-to-date management information.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
It is anticipated that this module will take 200 hours to complete including 24 hours tuition. As part of an in service qualifications scheme the residential course is an intensive learning experience making use of participants' existing professional expertise. Pre-course work will involve elements of self-assessment, reading, research and analysis of current work. The residential course provides an experiential learning process involving theoretical in-put and a range of exercises to encourage understanding and application of shared experiences in practice and structured reflection. Individual support is given to participants preparing to transfer their learning back into the work place. The nature of the residential course develops student networking, mutual support, motivation and interest. The residential is supported by distance learning materials.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures			10
Tutorials/seminars			5
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours			15
Number of essays or assignments			2
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework
At the end of the residential course, each trainee will meet with a tutor for formative assessment. A record of this discussion will be sent to the module convenor. The post residential assignment consists of two parts. Part one is a report of 1,500 words critically assessing the quality of the management informative collected and/or used by the service. The second part requires the undertaking of a project (2,500 words) analysing the effectiveness of one area of provision and making recommendations on its enhancement.

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Penalties for late submission: As per University policy

Examinations: None

Requirements for a pass: 50%

Reassessment arrangements:
Students will be asked to resubmit the coursework. The re-submission must take place within three months of the request date after discussion with the Programme Director.

Last updated: 8 December 2009