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Programme OverviewDigital and Technology Solutions
Dr Victoria Uren Dr Harry Goldingay
[email protected]@aston.ac.uk
Outline
The Degree DeliverySupportWhy Aston?
Digital & Technology Solutions
The Degree
One Degree – Two Streams
• Technical FocusSoftware Engineering
• Technical and Business Focus
Business Information
Systems
Digital and Technology Solutions
The Outcome
Degrees lead to the award of full Aston BScActive, creative IT professionalsDepth of knowledge
Core Content
Shared Start-up Block Training: Java and OOP, software engineering, database systems and web development
Software EngineeringHow to think like a programmer: Problem SolvingPractical skills: Thorough grounding in OOP (through Java Program Construction), Data Structures and AlgorithmsSoftware Engineering
Business Information SystemsUnderstanding Data: Business Analytics and Data MiningManaging Data: Advanced Database SystemsMaking use of Financial Data: Introduction to Accounting and Business Economics
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
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.
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 projectsWe 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.
Developing Young Professionals
Apprenticeship delivery
Astondelivery
Project ready
Higher Apprentice
Digital & Technology Solutions
Delivery
Programme Structure
Two entry points: March and September
The programmes are divided into three stagesEach stage takes 18 monthsEquivalent to one year of a standard degree
Students take a block of 2-4 modules every 6 monthsEach block should take 400 learning hoursOne third of these should be from on-the-job experienceExpected 10-hour per week time commitment from students
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.
Modes of Delivery
Work-based
Distance
Face to Face
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
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 schedulingBacked by virtual office hours.
Benefits of Distance Learning
Flexible about when much content is consumed.No time wasted in travelling to a central locationLess disruption to business than block releaseStudents can revise & repeat recorded material
Face to Face Learning
Distance learning works well for most things, but, some are better in person, e.g.:
Student presentations/student-led seminarsPaper-based designGetting to know your mentors/supervisors
Students have 4 days every 6 months of on-campus teaching2 weekdays and 2 weekend daysCurrently split between start and middle of a block
Digital & Technology Solutions
Support
Support for Students
Admin support through: Aston Professional Engineering Centre
Academic support through:Programme directors: guiding the programme and monitoring progressTeaching 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 issuesCompany mentors: for professional issuesLearning community: buddies and networks
Support For Students
As full Aston students, there are many other support services available.
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!
Digital & Technology Solutions
Why Aston?
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
Aston Business School
Business modules delivered by Aston Business School
Internationally renowned: among the 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation.
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!
Summary
2 streams for IT-oriented junior talentSoftware 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.
Questions?
Contacts:Dr. Harry Goldingay (Programme Director Computer Science)
Email: [email protected]: 0121 204 3918
Prof. Ian Nabney (Head of Computer Science):Email: [email protected]: 0121 204 3645
Dr Victoria Uren (Programme Director Business School)Email: [email protected]: 0121 204 3707
