I had a good day with the students on Friday. They have to complete a Proposal Proforma for their Final Major Project (FMP) which constitutes Unit 7 of the course. I felt that I was really able to assist the students with this as I helped them to clarify and refine their ideas. I was also able to help them express these in written form and making sure spelling and grammar was accurate. I was able to pull together my experience as a designer and a learning support tutor so I felt confident that the feedback I gave the students was accurate and appropriate.
The approach the tutors have taken with regards to learning outcomes, unit criteria and grading has been good so helped with the process. From the moment the FMP was presented to the students the criteria, learning outcomes and grading descriptors were printed out and made available to the students. This is consistent with the approach that has been taken throughout the course on project work. The students have always been told what is expected from them. In this way the students have time to assimilate the language and plan their approach; whether all the students take advantage of this is another question.
