Degree Apprenticeships Launch to Employers
- 1. Programme Overview Digital and Technology Solutions Dr Victoria Uren Dr Harry Goldingay v.uren@aston.ac.uk goldinhj@aston.ac.uk
- 3. Digital & Technology Solutions The Degree
- 4. One Degree – Two Streams • Technical Focus Software Engineering • Technical and Business Focus Business Information Systems
- 5. The Outcome Degrees lead to the award of full Aston BSc Active, creative IT professionals Depth of knowledge
- 6. Core Content Shared Start-up Block Training: Java and OOP, software engineering, database systems and web development Software Engineering How to think like a programmer: Problem Solving Practical skills: Thorough grounding in OOP (through Java Program Construction), Data Structures and Algorithms Software Engineering Business Information Systems Understanding Data: Business Analytics and Data Mining Managing Data: Advanced Database Systems Making use of Financial Data: Introduction to Accounting and Business Economics
- 7. Background 2 work-based distance learning programmes, launched in April 2014. Collaboratively designed by Aston University and Capgemini. Progression route from higher apprenticeship to BSc. Established programme extended to include Stage 1 (Level 4) i.e. the entire degree as an integrated unit
- 8. Research Driven Teaching Aston’s focuses on research with real- world applications. The vast majority of our teaching staff have worked in or with industry and feed this into their teaching. Student’s benefit from cutting-edge research and industrial case studies in (to name a few): data mining, human computer Interaction, international operations, geographic information systems, management consultancy.
- 9. Relevance and Flexibility Large portions of the course can be tailored to the student. Up to 60 credits (25% of the course) of optional modules to allow students to specialise. Both streams have major group and individual projects We are happy to work with employers to tailor projects to: employers’ needs. students’ working responsibilities. Each student has a personal mentor to help: us to fit coursework to students’ roles, students to find opportunities to apply their learning in practice.
- 11. Digital & Technology Solutions Delivery
- 12. Programme Structure Two entry points: March and September The programmes are divided into three stages Each stage takes 18 months Equivalent to one year of a standard degree Students take a block of 2-4 modules every 6 months Each block should take 400 learning hours One third of these should be from on-the-job experience Expected 10-hour per week time commitment from students
- 13. Delivery Philosophy Flexible learning: Combining work and study is tough! Giving students flexibility to choose when they study is key to making it work. Continuous support: Students should not be disadvantaged by distance learning. Need regular communication and personal attention. Online community: Learning does not happen in isolation. Discussion and collaboration give context and are encouraged throughout.
- 14. Modes of Delivery Work-based Distance Face to Face
- 15. Work-based Accelerated learning of core skills Individual skills coaching to build employable, independent learners Tailored to fit different occupational specialisms Reflective approach to professional development
- 16. Distance Learning Majority of the course delivered through virtual learning environment Blackboard. Lectures recorded for students to watch (and re-watch) asynchronously. Supported by other self-study learning objects. Labs/tutorials/seminars delivered through “virtual classroom” Blackboard Collaborate. Scheduled outside normal working hours (currently 8pm) Often repeated to allow flexible scheduling Backed by virtual office hours.
- 17. Benefits of Distance Learning Flexible about when much content is consumed. No time wasted in travelling to a central location Less disruption to business than block release Students can revise & repeat recorded material
- 18. Face to Face Learning Distance learning works well for most things, but, some are better in person, e.g.: Student presentations/student-led seminars Paper-based design Getting to know your mentors/supervisors Students have 4 days every 6 months of on-campus teaching 2 weekdays and 2 weekend days Currently split between start and middle of a block
- 19. Digital & Technology Solutions Support
- 20. Support for Students Admin support through: Aston Professional Engineering Centre Academic support through: Programme directors: guiding the programme and monitoring progress Teaching assistants: for tutorials and office hours. Module owners: named academic for each module. Distance-learning specialist: for technical assistance Personal Support through: Skills coach for first stage: responsible for making school leavers into professionals. Personal mentors: on going, independent professional support when needed to tackle learning issues Company mentors: for professional issues Learning community: buddies and networks
- 21. Support For Students As full Aston students, there are many other support services available.
- 22. Support for Employers Frequent contact with programme directors: Monthly calls, with more in critical stages Regular data on progress: Formative assessment scores as they are released. Attendance data to help diagnose issues. More detailed information from module leaders easy to get. Input into programme design: Industry evolves and so should the programmes!
- 23. Digital & Technology Solutions Why Aston?
- 24. Why Aston? Aston has a track record of producing employable graduates “You will struggle to find a university more keenly attuned to the needs of business and industry.” – The Sunday Times University Guide …and of taking students from with non-traditional academic backgrounds. Willingness to work closely with employers Satisfied students: 92% overall satisfaction in CS, 12th nationally
- 25. Aston Business School Business modules delivered by Aston Business School Internationally renowned: among the 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation.
- 26. Advantages of an Existing Programme We already have a viable cohort in-place: More students means more flexibility of module choice Depth and breadth of experience: Interaction with other companies’ undergraduates adds context Assurance: Based closely on existing programmes endorsed by e-skills and the BCS. Ready-to-go!
- 27. Summary 2 streams for IT-oriented junior talent Software Engineering for those focusing on technical computing. Business Information Systems for those in more business oriented roles. Work-based blended learning: Majority distance learning designed to suit those in work Commitment to work with employers to ensure programmes deliver the right skills.
- 28. Questions? Contacts: Dr. Harry Goldingay (Programme Director Computer Science) Email: goldinhj@aston.ac.uk Tel: 0121 204 3918 Prof. Ian Nabney (Head of Computer Science): Email: i.t.nabney@aston.ac.uk Tel: 0121 204 3645 Dr Victoria Uren (Programme Director Business School) Email: v.uren@aston.ac.uk Tel: 0121 204 3707