MI5016 - Research & Professional Practice

What will I learn on this module?

The module provides an opportunity for you to learn which skills and attributes are considered most important by employers, in the animation industry, and to reflect and set targets to address any skills gaps, to boost your employability before you graduate.

Module tasks will include researching into the local, national and international animation industry to begin to understand where you could see yourself working. You will learn how to create a portfolio that includes personal promotion information such as a Linked In profile/CV, Vimeo account, web presence and showreel. You will learn how to write a written reflective piece that analyses your skills and attributes.

How will I learn on this module?

Much of the module is structured around supporting you to find employment.

Guest lecturers will be invited to provide insight into their personal work and their sector of the industry.

You will learn through the delivery of a contextual lecture series and group discussions, to establish an understanding of the local, national and international animation and related industries. Lectures will range, for example, from networking and contact building, setting up as a freelance animator, self-promotion and developing effective show-reels.

Research exercises will be set to explore the animation industry. You will set up, and periodically add this research, set exercises and self-promotion materials to a blog (with appropriate reflective annotation) as the device to contain and present your work and yourself, throughout the module. You will also create a Linked In profile.

Academic staff will work with you in practical classes and workshops, and on project supervision to facilitate ‘learning through doing’. You will use tutor guided independent study and student independent study, to execute further promotional activities, to realise ideas through experimentation and exploration.

You will be briefed, prior to completion of semester 1, on such subjects as health and safety issues, ethical working practices and how to make the most of a placement.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Module briefs/guides outline the indicative workload of a module with an indication of lectures, design and software workshops. You will be prompted to complete exercises, by academic staff, to deliver work on the key building blocks in the module. These briefs will be uploaded to the eLearning Portal before any module activity commences. Associated learning materials will be available on the eLearning Portal to download and support developmental skills. These will be discussed in class first to make sure that you understand the key concepts of the material.

Email support is available throughout the module, especially during tutor guided and student independent learning periods - when you are working alone. You can also make appointments to talk through your work with a member of staff.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Demonstrate an enhanced understanding of contemporary professional working practice and the business environment of animation.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

2. Demonstrate an enhanced awareness of your student journey developing skills and abilities as learners and professionals and reflect on those skills.

3. Display evidence of research skills, through the exploration of the animation industry.

4. Display evidence of self-promotion for employment in the animation industry.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Demonstrate enhanced employability skills such as initiative, communication, time management, independence, planning, presentation and professional behaviour.

How will I be assessed?

There are two summative points of assessment for this module, at the end of semester 1 and semester 2.
The summative assessment at the end of semester 1 will be a Professional portfolio of Animation industry research and presentation that constitutes 50% of the overall weighting. (MLO 1, 3, 5)

The summative assessment at the end of semester 2 will be a show-reel, linked In profile, blog and written reflective piece of 1500 words that also constitutes 50% of the overall weighting. (MLO 2, 3, 4, 5).

Formative feedback will be provided by tutors and by peers in crit sessions before both assessment points.
In semester 2 you will have an opportunity to reflect on and respond to feedback before submitting the final project assignment.

You will receive formative feedback throughout the module, this consists of group discussions and individual tutorials and this will help you to reflect upon your work with a view to addressing the learning objectives.

Following the final project submission, you will receive written feedback on your achievement against all of the MLOs, using the Faculty Feedback sheet and a final grade will be given. Feedback will be provided within 20 working days of submission.

Your work should be submitted via the eLearning Portal. On the module page in the eLearning Portal, there is a folder called ‘Assignment Submission’ you will find all the necessary links in this folder.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years and 4 months

Location Sri Lanka

City Sri Lanka

Start January

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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