Module Guide

GAMA3003 Professional Practice

Module Leader: Jaime Pardo. 

Office Hours: Monday & Tuesday am.

Skype Availability by appointment: Wednesday 9am - 5pm 

Email: j.pardo@worc.ac.uk

Submission Dates: 
Formative Assessment 001 - Mock (Practice) Presentations: Week 07 12/11/19 
Presentation Assessment  -  Final Assessed Presentation: Week 09 26/11/19          

Summative Assessment 001 - CV, CL, 5 Yr Plan & Presentation Materials: Week 12 20/12/19 

Introduction and Aims

Professional Practice asks students to look ahead to their plans after graduation. It provides opportunities for students to consolidate the skills and knowledge they have acquired so far and to develop strategies for making the most of these in a professional context.

This module focuses on evaluating your strengths and interests, and actively connecting them to a career path and industry expectations. 

Through the research you’ll conduct for this module you will build deeper knowledge and understanding of the specific job roles that interest you most. And with this knowledge, you’ll be able to identify your developmental needs and devise a personal learning strategy for the remainder of this course. 

This means that from now on you are expected to take increasing responsibility for the methods and the media you work with. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate potential career opportunities in the Games or Animation industries, through reading, research and other independent learning strategies.
2. Select and analyse information based on independent research and deliver a well-structured and effectively supported oral presentation within a time limit.
3. Devise a well-researched, realistic and achievable plan for their continued professional development after graduation.
4. Plan, manage and complete the study in a professional manner.  

Learning and Teaching Activities

A variety of teaching strategies will be deployed to ensure that the material is accessible to all participants.  The weekly teaching sessions will be made up of:

• Short lectures to provide a background introduction to principles, and mythologies and craft behind preparation for an exhibition and design of appropriate portfolios.
• A range of tutor-directed tasks and further reading will serve to structure your independent research and study in preparation for entering the Animation or Games industry.
• You should expect to undertake a significant amount of accompanying independent study – spending time, researching your market and designing the mode and medium in which you intend to market yourself.
• Structured individual tutorial support will be available to all students in order to provide feedback on the set tasks and to assist with the planning and organisation of the main project.

What is expected of you on the Module

• Each student engages in at least 10 hours of study per week: 3 hours in class and at least 7 hours of independent study either at home or on campus.
• You must notify the module tutor by email if you are unable to attend or are ill. Please provide the following information: your name, the module name and number, the date of the session missed, and the reason for the absence in your email
• That you ensure that you have signed the register
• If you have missed a session, you ensure that you catch up with the material – consulting the module blog or blackboard, other students and the module tutors as necessary to do so
• That you undertake preparatory tasks of studying and practising the online training materials or core reading in preparation for each session as indicated 
• That you check your university email, the module blog and blackboard for course updates and advice
• That mobile phones, iPods etc are all switched off during taught sessions
• That you say when you don’t understand something and come and ask the tutor for advice/help

Attendance Policy

Attendance at all sessions is considered important for successful completion of the module. An attendance register will be taken at each session. If you cannot attend for any genuine reason (e.g. illness) you are expected to email the module tutor. Persistent non-attendance will require an explanation, in person, initially with the module tutor.

Refer to the course handbook or to the university attendance policy for further information. https://www2.worc.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/Student_Attendance_Policy_July_2018.pdf

What help is available to help your study

Attending class sessions are extremely important in help and feedback as you progress in the module. The module guide, online material and blog posts from your peers and tutor are also there to help with your study.
Email questions and queries to j.pardo@worc.ac.uk. I am usually able to respond within 24 hours (Monday - Wednesday only).

Individual and or group tutorials as requested – You are welcome to come and knock on our doors and ask for help at any time, but if you want to be assured of a tutorial then book a session by email to arrange a tutorial.

Assessment & Assessment Criteria

There is one summative assessment – based on the brief – failure submit will jeopardise both your right to re-assessment and your ability to graduate in 2019.

Assessment Criteria are descriptions of grades which apply to particular levels of achievement. They are intended to make more explicit the grades that are achieved at the end of each project. The assessed learning which you may achieve on the course can be classified into three main areas.

1. Investigation, enquiry & visualization (learning outcomes 1, 2). 
2. Research & analysis of information, contextualization & critical thinking (learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4).
3. Communication (learning outcomes 1, 2, 4 ).

Reading and Resources 

The resource list for this module can be accessed at https://rl.talis.com/3/worc/lists/488797CE-43A9-0101-DC7D-D8B2647C45B3.html

The latest guidance and policy relating to referencing at the University of Worcester is available at http://library.worc.ac.uk/guides/study-skills/referencing.

Students studying this module are advised to use the Harvard style of referencing.