Guidelines for tutors

County Dublin Vocational
Education Committee
Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae Átha Cliath

Guidelines
for Tutors on Programmes
Leading to FETAC Awards

GUIDELINES FOR TUTORS ON PROGRAMMES
Education Committee

LEADING TO FETAC AWARDS

COUNTY DUBLIN VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION COMMITTEE


October 2006

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

In a time of great change in adult and further education, County Dublin VEC is responding to the
challenge. The requirement for providers to develop Quality Assurance systems is a significant
development and the first step in this process of change. County Dublin VEC’s Quality Assurance
proposal was approved by FETAC – the Further Education and Training Awards Council – in
Autumn 2006. The policies and procedures therein reflect our mission ‘to be the leading provider
of integrated education services which enable young people and adults to fulfil their potential in a
positive learning environment and to promote equality, innovation and partnership in the delivery
of our services.’

This ‘Guide for Tutors’ is an important part of the implementation of Quality Assurance
procedures. The booklet aims to inform and update tutors on approaches to teaching and
assessment and on procedures as required within our Quality Assurance system. It is particularly
aimed at new tutors but should prove a useful resource for experienced tutors as well.

This booklet is complemented by a folder with more detailed guidelines on policies and
procedures circulated to co-ordinators of programmes, and by a section of our County Dublin VEC
website dedicated to Adult and Further Education containing support materials and information.
A ‘Guide for Learners’ to assist students on FETAC-accredited programmes is also being produced.

Thanks to the working group which produced this booklet. The group, representing programmes
across the VEC provision, consisted of Emer Reynolds, FETAC and BTEI Co-ordinator Grange
Community College, Michelle Donovan, Adult Literacy Organiser and Community Education
Facilitator, South and South West County Dublin Adult Education Services, Ciaran O’Mathuna,
Director, Cara Park Senior Traveller Training Centre and Marie Rooney, County Co-ordinator.
Thanks are also due to the co-ordinators and tutors who generously shared examples of good
practice for inclusion. In line with our policy of self-evaluation and improvement, it is planned, in
the light of further FETAC developments and of feedback from tutors, to update this booklet as
needed.

Pat O’Connor
Chief Executive

CONTENTS

Page

National Qualifications Framework 2
Award levels and Higher Education Links Scheme 3
The Context 4
FETAC Modules and Awards 5
Role of Tutor 6
Course Action Plan/Scheme of Work 8
Course Action Plan Template 10
FETAC Assessment Guidelines 11

Internal Assessor Responsibilities 12
External Examiner 13
Portfolio Preparation 14

Sample Portfolio Checklist Communications Level 3 15
Assessment Briefs for Levels 4, 5 and 6 16
Sample Brief Communications Level 4 18
Sample Brief Caring for Children Level 4 19
Sample Brief Caring for Children Level 5 20
Sample Intergrated Work Experience Module 21
1
Record of Receipt of Assignments 23
Procedures regarding Appeals and Plagiarism 24
Useful Contacts and Websites 25

NATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF
QUALIFICATIONS

This diagram illustrates the National Framework of Qualifications which allows qualifications to be
compared both nationally and internationally.

The framework will, in time, include all awards available in the State from the most basic (Level 1)
to the most advanced (Level 10) levels of learning. It will include awards gained in schools, the
workplace, the community, training centres, colleges and universities.

The award-types are listed in the outer rings of the diagram and on the NQAI website
www.nqai.ie. Awarding bodies whose awards are included in the framework are shown as
coloured bands extending across the levels of the framework as appropriate.

FETAC Awards are placed at levels 1 – 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

2

AWARD LEVEL EQUIVALENTS

FETAC/HETAC FETAC/HETAC
Equivalent Equivalent
Award Level Award Level

Introduction to One-year Advanced
1 6
Learning Cert, National Cert.

2 Pre-Junior Certificate 7 National Diploma

Bachelor’s Degree (3-4
3 Junior Certificate 8 year honours) and
Graduate Diploma

Graduate Diploma
Pass Leaving

4 9 (1st stage of Masters)
Certificate/LCA
and Master’s Degree

Honours Leaving
5 10 Doctor of Philosophy
Certificate

HIGHER LINKS SCHEME
The Higher Education Links scheme enables learners who have achieved FETAC Level 5 or 6
certification to apply for a higher education place in designated courses in a range of higher
education institutions.
Applicants submit their third-level applications to the Central Applications Office in the
3
normal way (closing date 1st February each year)
In July FETAC Levels 5 and 6 results are issued to the CAO and participating institutions.
Applicants through the scheme are assessed as follows:
Each module is credited with an allocation of
• 3 points for a Distinction
• 2 points for a Merit
• 1 point for a Pass

Points are calculated on applicants’ best eight modules .

All of the points are totalled and applicants are ranked according to the ‘total grade point’
figure

Places are offered in ranked order until the quota is complete for each course. In cases
where the number of equally ranked candidates exceeds the quota a lottery system
operates for offering places.

A guide to the Higher Links Scheme, entitled ‘Progression from FETAC to Higher Education
Courses’ is published each year by FETAC.

THE CONTEXT

FETAC, COUNTY DUBLIN VEC AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
FETAC, the Further Education and Training Awards Council, is the single national awarding body
for the further education and training sector in Ireland. It is responsible for:

registering providers whose quality assurance systems have been agreed by FETAC

validating programmes submitted by providers (a process beginning 2006/2007)

monitoring providers’ quality assurance systems and programmes

making awards

FETAC awards are designed to provide access to employment and to further and higher education
and training.

QUALITY ASSURANCE is a system of policies and procedures which a provider undertakes to
implement in order to maintain and improve the quality of its programmes. The system required
by FETAC covers:
Communications
Equality
Staff Recruitment and Development
4 Access, Transfer and Progression
Programme Development, Delivery and Review,
Fair and Consistent Assessment of Learners,
Protection for Learners
Self-Evaluation of Programmes and Services.

All providers wishing to continue to offer programmes leading to FETAC awards must submit a
quality assurance proposal by the end of 2006.

COUNTY DUBLIN VEC provides a wide range of courses leading to FETAC awards in Adult and
Community Education Centres, in Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centres and in schools
and Colleges of Further Education. Our Quality Assurance proposal was agreed by FETAC in
Autumn 2006. We are now in the process of implementing the system and this ‘Guide for Tutors’
is an important step in the process.

FETAC MODULES AND AWARDS

Courses leading to FETAC awards are made up of modules. The standards in a module are
expressed principally in terms of specific learning outcomes (SLO’s), i.e. what the learner will be
able to do on successful completion of the module. The module also includes details of purpose,
general aims, assessment details and assessment criteria.

For each module in which the required standard has been achieved, a candidate gains a credit
(equal to the value of the module).

Levels 1, 2 and 3 modules are assessed by means of portfolio/collection of work and are not
graded but are judged either ‘successful’ or ‘refer’.

Levels 4, 5 and 6 modules are graded as follows: Pass: 50% - 64% Merit: 65% - 79% Distinction:
80% - 100%

To obtain a full FETAC award, certain numbers and combinations of modules must be successfully
completed:

The level 3 certificate is awarded to learners who meet the required standard in a total of eight

modules, comprising three core modules (Communications, Mathematics and Personal
Effectiveness or Personal and Interpersonal Skills) and any five elective modules

The level 4 certificate is awarded to learners who achieve the required standards in eight
modules comprising four core modules (Communications, Mathematics, Information
Technology Skills and Personal Effectiveness or Interpersonal and Interpersonal Skills) and four
elective modules which may be drawn from the list of approved modules.

The level 5 certificate is awarded to learners who reach the required standard in five vocational
modules (including mandatory and elective modules), two General Studies modules (one of 5
which must be Communications) and 1 Work Experience module.

The level 6 award includes advanced vocational/occupational skills, which may be vocationally
specific and/or of a general supervisory nature, and require detailed theoretical understanding.

Credits may be accumulated over a period of time. In general, each module carries a value of 1 at
its own level and 0.5 at a higher level and 2 at a lower level. For example, a module completed at
level 4 (worth one credit at level 4) will have a credit value of 2 in a level 3 award and a credit
value of 0.5 at level 5 award. A maximum of two credits can be carried forward from one level to
the next.

ROLE OF THE TUTOR

The role of the tutor is essential to the work of County Dublin VEC. Each service strand has
particular requirements in relation to the role and responsibilities of their tutors. Here we are
looking specifically at the tutor’s responsibilities in relation to delivery and assessment of FETAC
modules.

1. Avail of FETAC induction and support opportunities

2. Be familiar with the criteria for delivery and assessment of the relevant modules

3. Devise Course Action Plan (Scheme of Work) for the module being delivered

4. Inform students of course outline

5. Inform students at start of programme of appeals and plagiarism procedures (see page
24)

6. Maintain a register of student attendance

7. Prepare a portfolio building checklist and provide copies to your students (Levels 1, 2

and 3)

8. Prepare assignment briefs and marking schemes and provide copies to your students
(Level 4, 5 and 6)

9. Follow centre guidelines for the setting of examinations

10. Provide your students with feedback on their completed assignments and projects

11. Ensure you keep a signed record of the acceptance of a student’s assignment (i.e final
6 draft) See page 23 for suggested form recording receipt of Assignments

12. Ensure that students are informed as to schedule of assessment and relevant deadlines,
etc.

13. Ensure that assessment methodologies are adapted as necessary and reasonable so as to
cater for the needs of learners with specific needs.

14. Ensure your students sign Verification of Authorship Statement (See assignment briefs
below)

15. Ensure that all FETAC folders are prepared for external assessment in a satisfactory
manner. Folders are (usually) available from the Co-ordinator. Please note that while
polypockets are useful for keeping work neat and tidy for the duration of a course, they
are not acceptable to FETAC externs. Therefore when you are preparing folders for
external assessment, please do not use these polypockets.

16. Pay particular attention to the procedures that must be implemented by the internal
assessor in the assessment section of this booklet.

17. Check with your co-ordinator who may have additional expectations of the tutor in
relation to gathering certain data, for example Student’s PPS Number, date of birth,
student feedback etc.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

Carry out regular checks of students’ portfolios. This is to ensure students are keeping
materials and assignments in the correct fashion. The use of subject dividers can facilitate
this. This will alleviate a great deal of pressure when it comes to putting the portfolios
together for external accreditation. Students returning to education after a period of
absence can experience some difficulties in managing their learning.

Advise students to have a separate folder for each module right from the beginning.

Ensure that students are aware of the necessity of keeping drafts of their work.

ASSESSMENT TIMELINE

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Sep

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No
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ug

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A y
Ju n
Ju l y e

COURSE ACTION PLAN

Teachers and tutors are required to draw up Course Action Plans (also known as Schemes of
Work). These plans give the proposed outline of the sequence in which a module will be taught,
with a timescale for delivery. The Course Action Plan is an important planning tool, giving the
tutor an overview of the course and of the time constraints within which s/he and the learners will
be working. It also gives the co-ordinator/ principal/director an insight into how the programme
will be delivered.

There is a sample Course Action Plan on the next page, followed by a blank Course Action Plan
template for tutor use on page 10.

The Course Action Plan complements individual Lesson Plans. These are more detailed plans for
individual sessions/lessons, going into detail as to teaching strategies, learning activities and
materials. Lesson Plans are not a required procedure but are recommended as good practice.

Course Action Plan and Lesson Plan templates can be downloaded from the Adult and Further
Education section of the County Dublin VEC website www.codubvec.ie. .

SAMPLE COURSE ACTION PLAN
TITLE OF MODULE: DATABASE METHODS, LEVEL 5

TOPICS TO BE DEADLINES FOR SLO’s TO BE
MONTH / TERM ASSIGNMENTS
COVERED ASSIGNMENTS COVERED

8 Term 1 Unit 1 Basic Revision test December 1.1 – 1.18
Sept - Dec Concepts

Term 2 Unit 2 Group Group 2.1 – 2.20
Jan - March Database presentations presentations
Design, early March
Implementation Individual 3.1 – 3. 10
and Assignments Individual
Organisation (50% weighting) assignments late
April
Unit 3
Additional
Database
Operations

Term 3 Revision, Final exam (50% May
April – May practice tests weighting)

SAMPLE COURSE ACTION PLAN

TITLE OF MODULE: COMMUNICATIONS, LEVEL: 4

TOPICS COLLECTION OF S.L.O.’S
MONTH/TERM DEADLINES
TO BE COVERED WORK TO BE COVERED

Sept – Dec Unit 1 Learning Learning Journal Sept 1.1 1.2 1.3
to learn

Unit 2 Non Poster/Cards/Ima Mid November 2.1 2.2 2.3
Verbal and ges/photos 2.4
Visual
Communication

Unit 3 Personal Oral Late December 3.1 3.2 3.3
Interaction Presentation 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7

Jan - March Unit 4 Reading 4 Compre- March 4.2 4.3 4.4
hension 4.5
Book Review
Newspaper
Article (Fact and
opinion)
9

Unit 5 Writing 2 letters 5.1 5.2 5.3
Short report 5.4
Essay
CV
2 of the
following:
minutes,
agenda, memo,
forms
instructions,
directions

April – May Unit 6 Media Compare and April 6.1 6.2 6.3
Awareness contrast 6.4
newspaper
articles

Unit 7 Essay May 7.1 7.2
Communications Practical use of
Technology technology

COURSE ACTION PLAN TEMPLATE

COURSE ACTION PLAN TEMPLATE

TUTOR

TITLE OF MODULE

CLASS GROUP

NUMBER OF SESSIONS TOTAL CONTACT HOURS

MONTH/TERM TOPICS ASSIGNMENTS DEADLINES S.L.O.’S COVERED

10

FETAC ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES

All assessment should be completed and marked before the period scheduled for the visit of the
external examiner – late May and/or late November each year.

For candidates submitting coursework, assignments, projects, etc. for assessment, the following is
required:

Adequate written notice be given by the centre authorities to candidates of the deadline
and location for submitting such assessment evidence

Candidates must attest to the fact that all projects, assignments, learner records and
collections of work presented for assessment are their own original work

An appropriate receipt (date stamped) is used to the candidate on submission of

coursework for assessment

Candidates’ evidence is securely stored until completion of the assessment process.

Where examinations are required as part of the assessment portfolio of the learner, such

examinations should be carried out under examination conditions. A tutor other than the internal
assessor should generally supervise these examinations.

Centres are required to keep examination papers and/or confidential assessment material in safe
custody at all times.

Centres should devise an attendance roll, which should be signed by each candidate the
supervisor. Rolls should be used to confirm submission of portfolios of coursework and attendance
at examinations. Centres should retain these rolls in case of an appeal of a result by a candidate. 11

Stationery appropriate for examinations should be used.

In general, an examination centre should accommodate no more than 40 candidates, supervised
by one person.

INTERNAL ASSESSOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The following procedures must be implemented by the internal assessor (i.e. tutor) for each
module:

Complete the assessment and apply the assessment/performance criteria as specified in
each module descriptor

Mode of assessment Internal Assessor Requirements

Assignment Brief + marking scheme

Collection of Work Brief(s) + marking scheme(s)

Examination Examination papers + marking schemes + outline solutions

Learner Record Brief + marking scheme

Project Brief + marking scheme

Skills Demonstration Brief/Task List + marking scheme

All evidence should be marked according to the Individual Candidate Marking Sheet and
marking scheme as appropriate (individual Candidate Marking Sheets for the various
assessment techniques of a module are available in the relevant module descriptor)

The internal assessor should mark all evidence clearly:

• where it is written evidence, in a colour different to that used by the candidate
12
• where it is oral/aural/visual etc. the marking sheet should include a clear breakdown
showing how marks were awarded.

In examinations, the internal assessor should mark all evidence present, and then include
the ‘best’ answer for the final mark (in keeping, of course, with the choices offered, if any)

Internal assessors must tick in red or green ink on each page of all evidence submitted to
show that they have taken the data involved into account in their final mark

Complete the Individual Candidate Marking Sheets and attach them to the relevant
evidence.

THE EXTERNAL EXAMINER

WHAT THE INTERNAL ASSESSOR (TUTOR) SHOULD HAVE READY FOR THE
EXTERN

Portfolios:

• displayed per module

• in alphabetical order per candidate

• completed Individual Candidate Mark-sheet attached to front of each portfolio

All evidence clearly marked with candidate name and number

GOOD PRACTICE – INTERNAL ASSESSOR FOLDER

Module Descriptor

Assessment Grid/Checklist

Assessment Brief(s)

Examination paper(s)

Marking Schemes
13
Outline solutions

Candidate Receipts/Logbook

Examination Attendance Roll

Module Results Summary Sheet

Approval Forms (for locally developed modules)

PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT
Levels 1, 2 and 3 modules are assessed by means of portfolio/collection of
work and are not graded but are judged either ‘successful’ or ‘refer’.

GUIDELINES FOR PORTFOLIO PREPARATION FOR FETAC LEVEL 3
In order to fulfil the assessment criteria for FETAC, the Tutor must ensure that all the Specific
Learning Outcomes (SLO’s) have been sufficiently covered along with the assessment criteria as
laid out in section 11 of the module descriptor. It is important to be aware that completing the
SLO’s alone does not meet the assessment criteria.

Section 11 can be found in the module descriptor (usually placed before the detailed breakdown
of each unit and the SLO list).

Section 11will clearly dictate how a completed portfolio should be laid out, item/assignment by
item, explaining what each section requires. Many new Tutors mistakenly present a portfolio
which follows the SLO listing. This would not be sufficient to assess as successful.

EXAMPLE

Module: Personal and interpersonal skills

SLO’s 1.1 – 3.6 cover a range of material which includes: creating a personal profile,
developing a plan of action, decision making, aggressive, assertive and passive
behaviour, listening skills.

Section 11 Tells us that the portfolio must contain the following:

Assignment, Log Book and other evidence
14

It then details what each of the above is.

Portfolio The finished portfolio should be laid out as follows:

Section 1 Assignment

Section 2 Log Book

Section 3 Other evidence (this being most of the SLO class work)

In this example, if the Tutor had fully completed the SLO’s, but had not taken section 11 into
account, the work would not be ready for assessment, as there would have been no assignment
or student log books.

SAMPLE PORTFOLIO CHECKLIST

COMMUNICATION LEVEL 3
Assessment Candidates present a portfolio of coursework which shows that they
have achieved all of the Specific Learning Outcomes.

Portfolio
The portfolio must contain the following:
Reading material (3 copies of text)
Written material (10 pieces of writing

Visual material (3 images and 1 personally-constructed visual aid)

Reading Material a selection of three texts, each piece approximately one A4 sheet in
length, which they have used to practise the range of reading
techniques specified.

Written Material a selection of ten handwritten pieces:
three pieces of correspondence, to include one personal letter and
one formal letter each at least two paragraphs in length
three pieces of expressive writing, two at least 100 words in length
and one short piece of less than 100 words
two sets of written instructions or directions, each containing at
15
least four steps
two other pieces, each approximately 100 words in length selected
from the following:
• summary of learning goals; entry for one week;
• personal study plan for one week; ‘opinion’ column
• discussing a topic of choice.
Evidence of planning and redrafting should be attached to each
finished piece i.e. rough notes/early drafts
Final drafts should contain no more than three errors of spelling or
Punctuation and should observe all appropriate conventions of
format, sentence structure and paragraphing
Visual Material three sample images and one personally-constructed visual aid.
Candidates with specified disabilities may submit typewritten or word-
Processed work and, where necessary, material produced using
assistive technology.

ASSESSMENT BRIEFS

At levels 4, 5 and 6, the tutor gives learners a set of instructions (known as a brief) outlining
requirements and assessment criteria of each assessment. The assessment brief must be available
to the External Examiner, in WRITTEN FORM.

The instructions to the candidate consist of:

WHAT the candidate is required to do for the assessment of the module:
Assignment
Collection of Work
Learning Journal
Project
Skills Demonstration(s)

HOW this assessment should be carried out:
written report
case study
production of an artefact

compilation of a daily diary
demonstration of a skill
investigation of a topic

MARKING how the assessment will be marked:
all assessment or performance criteria should be listed

WHEN it should be submitted:
16 the final date for submission of assessment
as set by the Centre/ Provider

HOW TO WRITE A BRIEF
STEP 1

Consult Section 11 of the module descriptor, the Portfolio of Assessment. This section determines:

- which assessment technique to use
- the percentage weighting for the assessment (not Level 3 (NCVA Foundation Level))
- on which units of the module it is to be based (if required)
- guidelines/ examples/ specific requirements as to topic
- how the assessment might be presented

STEP 2

Consult Section 10 of the module descriptor, Specific Learning Outcomes – ie, what you taught in
your programme.

It may be useful to complete a Learning/ Assessment Grid for your module, to identify the Specific
Learning Outcomes most likely to lend themselves to the assessment in question

ASSESSMENT BRIEFS

STEP 3

Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 (NCVA Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3) : Consult the Individual Candidate
Marking Sheet at the back of the module descriptor. The Assessment or Performance Criteria are
listed here.

Level 3 (NCVA Foundation Level): go to Section 12 of the module descriptor. The Performance
Criteria for each Specific Learning Outcome are listed here.

STEP 4

Write the Brief according to the Assesment Brief Template. See Blank Brief page 18.

GOOD PRACTICE
At this stage it is good practice to present a draft brief to the learners for clarification, so that

learners understand exactly what is required

methodology can be explored

sources/ research opportunities can be identified

learners understand that plagiarism is unacceptable
17
learners understand how their assessments will be marked

mode(s) of presentation can be agreed

On completion of this stage, it may be necessary to modify the brief before formally presenting it
again to the learners.

NB : learners must be informed of their responsibility to attest in writing that their assessments
are their own original work

ASSESSMENT BRIEF TEMPLATE

Module Title:

Module Code:

Level:

Assessment Technique:

Weighting:

Title:

Guidelines:

Assessment Criteria:

18

Date Brief issued:

Submission Date:

Student Name:

I confirm that this is my own original work

Signed: ____________________________________ Date: ___________________________

SAMPLE BRIEF FOR LEARNING JOURNAL

COMMUNICATIONS LEVEL 4
Assessment Technique: Portfolio of Coursework
Weighting: 10% of total marks for module
Title: Developing a Learning Journal

GUIDELINES
During the course you will find it useful to keep a record of the subjects and topics that you cover
in class. This record is known as a learning journal.
In it you should record the hopes and concerns you have at the start of the course. Once a month
you should enter how you consider your learning is progressing, items you have found particularly
interesting and/or challenging. You may also use it to make a note of pieces of useful information
that you have gathered from whatever source, newspapers, books, magazines, T.V. and radio,

internet etc.
Your finished journal should contain two different pieces of work:
Details of activities, tasks, or work you undertake

Your thoughts about what you have learned during the course
You may use the following headings as a guide to record your thoughts and insights:
What I learned
How I learned it
How this learning challenged me
What differences this learning has made to me

19
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA MAX MARK CANDIDATE MARK
Marks will be awarded as follows:
Charting learning experiences 15
Identification of significant learning 20
Identification of learning styles 10
Identification of challenges 15
Awareness of progress 15
Reflection on impact of learning 25

Issue Date: ___________________________________ Deadline:_____________________

Student Name:______________________________________________________________________


Signed: ____________________________________________ Date:______________________

SAMPLE PROJECT BRIEF

CARING FOR CHILDREN – LEVEL 4
Module: Caring for Children Level 4
Technique: 2 Assignments
Title: Diet and Nutrition for a child 0-6 years 30%
Health & Safety in a Childcare Setting 30%
Weighting: Assignments: 60% (30% each assignment) (Exam: 40%)

GUIDELINES
Assignment 1

Students must demonstrate their understanding of the advantages of a balanced diet.
Students must design a menu for seven days that is suitable for children 0-6 years.
Students should give reasons why mealtimes are an important part of family life.

Assignment 2
Students should identify health and safety issues in a childcare setting and in a home
environment.
Students should list a good hygienic routine for a childcare setting to include personal
hygiene and cleaning routines that should be in place.
Students should demonstrate their knowledge of how to evacuate in the event of a fire
20
and how to report an accident. It is essential that students fill out an accident report card
to support their understanding of how it should be done.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA AND MARKING SCHEME

Evidence of planning 10
Aim/introduction 5
Content – development of subject/theme 20
Initiative/originality 5
Evaluation/conclusion 10
References/ bibliography 5
Presentation 5
Total: 60

Student Name:______________________________________________________________________


Signed: ____________________________________________ Date:______________________

SAMPLE PROJECT BRIEF

CARING FOR CHILDREN - LEVEL 5
Module: Caring for Children Level 5.
Technique: Project.
Weighting Project: 40%
First Aid: 10%
Skills demonstration: 30%
Exam: 20%

GUIDELINES

PROJECT BRIEF
Students will present a project on an issue relevant to the childcare environment. They will identify
issues on one of the following:

Health, Safety & Hygiene in a Childcare Setting.
The Importance of Teamwork in Childcare.
The Importance of Play in a Child’s Development.
This project has a weighting of 40%. Students must present evidence of relevant research.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
21
Project


Effective planning and research. 10

Comprehensive exploration of health &
safety issues in childcare. 10

Thorough understanding of concepts
in caring for children. 10

Considered evaluation, conclusions
and recommendations. 10

Student Name:______________________________________________________________________


Signed: ____________________________________________ Date:______________________

SAMPLE INTEGRATED BRIEF
Assessment of a number of modules may be integrated, provided the separate criteria
for each module are met.

WORK EXPERIENCE REPORT LEVEL 4
Module Titles: Communications Level 4 and Work Experience Level 4
Module Code: G10001 and W10008
Assessment Technique: Learner Record
Weighting: Communications 10% Work Experience 20%
Title: Workplace Experience Report

GUIDELINES:
Submitting a report is a requirement of the Communications and Work Experience modules. To
fulfil this requirement compile a report about your recent work experience placement. You may
use illustrations and/or photographs. You should divide your report into different sections. Each

section should be clearly identified.
Section 1 Job Description: Describe the work you did during your placement. Indicate what
you were asked to do (arrival and departure times; tasks during the day; reporting to supervisor
etc.) Identify the people with whom you work and the nature of your relationships with each

person.
Section 2 Review of your placement experience: Using what you entered in your Journal
while you were on placement, this section of the report gives you an opportunity to look back
and identify what you learned. You should consider what you learned about the job, what you
learned about working life and what new learning you gained about yourself both as a worker
and as a person. Consider what progress you made during the placement.
Section 3 Identify what you would do differently if you got another placement. In this
section you can highlight what went well and what could be done, either by you, the course
22
organizer/tutor or the employer, in order to make the experience even more useful.
Section 4 Your personal action plan. In this section you should indicate the ideas/hopes for
the future that you have following your placement. You should also explain what you intend to
do to put them into action. You could indicate some skills that need further development and/or
you might talk about plans to investigate places of potential employment. You may have also
discovered that this kind of work is not really what you want to do. If so, this is very valuable
learning. Indicate what next steps you are considering.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

COMMUNICATIONS WORK EXPERIENCE
CRITERION MAX MARK CRITERION MAX MARK
Structure 20 Structure 15
Subject matter 40 Description 20
Grammar 10 Review 30
Spelling 10 Reflection on learning 15
Writing style 5 Layout and presentation 5
Proof reading 5 Identification of next steps 15
Overall presentation 10

Date Brief issued: __________________ Submission Date: __________________
Student Name:______________________________________________________________________
Signed: ____________________________________________ Date:______________________

RECORD OF RECEIPT OF
PORTFOLIOS/ASSIGNMENTS

RECORD OF RECEIPT OF PORTFOLIOS/ASSSIGNMENTS

CLASS

MODULE

ASSIGNMENT

TUTOR

I have submitted my work for the above named assignment.

NAME SIGNATURE DATE

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Tutor’s Signature: __________________________________________________________________

PROCEDURES REGARDING LEARNER
APPEALS AND PLAGIARISM

It is important that tutors are aware of these procedures and that students are informed about
them at the start of the programme.

APPEALS
Learners are entitled to appeal their results to FETAC. The appeal must be in writing and
must be within three weeks of the issue of the statement of results. All appeals must be
made through the Centre.
Each appeal is subject to fee of 19. This fee will be re-imbursed if the result is favourably
adjusted.
Only evidence that has previously been presented by the learner can be part of an appeal.

There can be no new evidence submitted.
It is the responsibility of each centre to ensure that all appropriate assessment evidence as
required by the module descriptor is available for the appeal. Any evidence not available
will be assumed not to have been completed.

PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism happens when a learner presents other people’s writing, words or ideas as their own.
To avoid plagiarism learners must reference the source of their work.
Keep in mind the following points
24 1. Any source, published or unpublished, should not be copied without a proper
acknowledgment.
2. Copying a written source with only minor changes should be acknowledged
3. Students can not submit somebody else’s work as their own. This includes books, articles,
research papers, published or unpublished
4. Any information taken from a website must be acknowledged.
When submitting work, learners will be asked to sign an authentication statement, confirming
that the work is entirely their own.

PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH PLAGIARISM
If a Tutor suspects that plagiarism has occurred, they should inform the learner of their concern.
The co-ordinator should also be informed. The work should be returned to the learner
The learner, if they so wish, can have their work reviewed by another member of staff.
If plagiarism is confirmed, it will be recorded on the student’s file.
The student will be asked to re-submit their work.

USEFUL CONTACTS AND WEBSITES

County Dublin VEC, 1 Tuansgate, Belgard Square East, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Telephone: 4529600
Website: www.codubvec includes a section on Adult and Further Education with information on
and resources for implementation of FETAC Quality Assurance policies and procedures. To access
this, log on to www.codubvec.ie and click on Members’ Area. Enter username: vecuser and
password: web2005. Then log in and go to Adult and Further Education.

FETAC www.fetac.ie includes the Directory of FETAC Awards, Assessment Regulations and
Guidelines, NCVA Module Descriptors and a range of policy documents.

NCVA Support Service www.sfe.ie – examples of best practice, resource materials for modules at
levels 3 – 6, guidelines for the external examining process and for internal verification, on-line
tutorials. On-line video resources and stand-alone presentations are being developed and will be
available through the website on an ongoing basis.

Irish Vocational Education Association www.ivea.ie. Support for VEC’s in implementing FETAC
policies.

National Qualifications Authority of Ireland www.nfq.ie. Information on the National

Qualifications Framework and on international recognition of awards.

National Adult Literacy Agency www.nala.ie. Links to many literacy-related websites

Basic Skills Agency (UK) www.basic-skills.co.uk

Irish National Association of Adult Education - www.aontas.ie

CDVEC Curriculum Development Unit www.curriculum.ie 25

Higher Education and Training Awards Council www.hetac.ie


26

Education Committee

Administrative Offices,
1 Tuansgate, Belgard Square East,
Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Telephone: (01) 452 9600 Fax: (01) 451 5196
Email: info@codubvec.ie
Web: www.codubvec.ie

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