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CC2018
Professional Development for Computing
Module lecturer: Sanjiv Udash
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Module Aims
To prepare students for researching, producing and defending/supporting their final year project
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Learning Outcomes (1) On successful completion of this module
students will
Be able to develop, manage and deliver a project proposal
Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of ethical issues underpinning academic research
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Learning Outcomes (2) On successful completion of this module
students will
Have the necessary attributes in close reading, analysis, critical thinking and debate, finding and using secondary sources, presenting written work correctly, giving oral presentations
Be able to demonstrate the ability to research, plan and structure reports and presentations in an effective manner
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Assessment 100% coursework
Presentation (50%) which includes: Weekly tasks – 25% - in workshop sessions Oral presentation- 25% - due in week 12-13
Project proposal (50%) due in week 11 and submitted to the tutor
Students are expected to attend both lectures and workshops (labs)
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Weekly Tasks Students will be provided with individual or group
tasks/case studies in the workshops
Each task is normally worth between 3-4% of the module mark
Students should submit work to RTE in person
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University Assessment Regulations
Assessment is capped at 40%: With late submission (up to one week)
Plagiarised Assessment Both the parties will be penalised
London Met Learning
Access Passwords
FTP Server
Username:studentPassword:islington55
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What is a project?
“A temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique
product, service or result.” Project Management Body of Knowledge
(PMBOK)
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Characteristics of projects (1)
Projects have a purpose have clearly-defined aims produce clearly-defined results
Projects are realistic objectives must be achievable
(taking into account requirements and resources available)
Projects are limited in time have a beginning and an end
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Characteristics of projects (2)
Projects are complex involve various planning and implementation
skills involve various stakeholders
Projects are unique stem from new ideas provide a specific response to a need in a
specific context projects have distinct, identifiable stages
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What is a Final Year Project? The final year project is a major work
that students are required to undertake in order to complete their degree
This will be the largest piece of work (report and implementation) that students are expected to produce as undergraduates
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Why do a Project? The project provides the opportunity to
Bring together the academic knowledge and skills acquired in previous study
Explore an idea, problem or area of study that is of special interest
Gain an insight into the complexity of a real-life problem
Develop new skills Demonstrate independent learning and self-
management
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Final Year Project Types Computing is a extremely diverse field Some projects could be highly technical
(with requirements capture, design and implementation)
Some require more academic content (outcome of critical evaluation, analyses and literature surveys)
(Dawson C W, 2005, Projects in Computing and Information Systems :A student’s Guide, Addison Wesley)
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Final Year Project Types Research-based Development Evaluation Industry-based Problem solving
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Research-based Projects Thorough investigation of a particular area
Identifying strengths and weaknesses
Acknowledging suitable areas for further development and investigations
Reflective = “backward looking”
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Development Projects Development of:
Software and/or hardware systems, process models, algorithms, theories, designs
Requires: Requirement documentation, designs,
analyses, documented test results, user manuals
Critical evaluation of the product and the
development process is expected
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Industry-based Projects Involve solving a problem in an
organisation Must not be forced into the direction
only of interest to the company Should not involve day-to-day routine tasks
Should allow what it is necessary for suitable academic work Should involve identification and solution of
a specific problem
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Problem solving Projects Can involve:
Development of a new technique to solve a problem
Improving the efficiency of existing approaches Evaluation of different approaches in different
situations Application an existing problem-solving
technique to a new area (requires some evaluation)
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Evaluation Projects Involve some form of evaluation as the
main focus of the project. e.g. evaluation of: Several approaches to a particular problem Two or more programming languages Different user interfaces
May include case studies to evaluate the main issue
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Choosing Your Project Topic/Area Your project module
requirements Academic objectives Scope restrictions Assessment criteria Deliverables Essential activities
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Choosing Your Project Topic/Area
Your personal needs: What parts of your course have really interested you? What type of academic activity you enjoy most? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What skills do potential employers regard as
important? What new skill would you like to acquire? Do you have personal constraints?
You can make use of the PDP to be clearer about your personal needs.
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What is the PDP? Personal Development Planning
or Personal Development Portfoliomeans creating opportunities to think in a structured way through questions such as: Am I clear about my personal goals and
ambitions? What do I really want to achieve from life? Am I making the right decisions to get me where I
really want to be? What kind of person do I want to be?
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Advantages of Taking a Personal Development Approach
Academic performance Gain a clearer focus to your learning and
help to keep yourself motivated Better understanding of how you learn
and how to improve your performance More awareness of how to apply your
learning to new problems and contexts Gain reflective thinking skills that can
strengthen your academic performance
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Advantages of Taking a Personal Development Approach
Professional life Being better able to discuss your skills, personal
qualities and strengths with employers Greater confidence in the skills, qualities and
attributes you bring to your chosen career Greater confidence in the choices you make Gain better problem-solving and planning skills Being in a better position to compete for jobs
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Advantages of Taking a Personal Development Approach
Personal life Have clearer ideas about the kind of life
and work you want Have a better understanding of yourself
and what makes you ‘tick’ Have a greater awareness of your needs
and how to meet those needs Develop a positive and forward-looking
approach
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Check Personal Details
Do Self-assessment
Review your skills/attributes and what is required
Consider action planning
Add skills and attributes achieved to your CV
Review achievements of module learning outcomes
Consider action plan for second semester
Review course and module learning outcomes Add to your CV
First Semester at I Level
Second Semester at I Level
Review your skills/attributesConsider action planning and personal statement
Review your CV
Review your CV
Record achievements of module learning outcomes
Consider action planning
Review achievements of module learning outcomes
Consider action plan
Review PDP and review personal statement
Add skills, attributes achieved to your CV
Add skills & attributes achieved to your CV
Add skills and attributes achieved to your CV
Calendar Personal Details (in C section)
Self Assessment Skills, Attributes & Employability
Development
Action Planning
Personal Statement
CV drafts
First Semester Results
Programme Planning for H Level
End of Year
For each moduleassessment
Duringthe firstsemester
At end of the first semester
LondonMet PDP for I level
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What next? Attend the workshop:
Visit the website and make sure that you have access to the module and the documents
Undertake the workshop(Labs) tasks
Submit your contribution to RTE at the deadline specified
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References Dawson C W (2005), Projects in Computing
and Information Systems A student’s Guide, Addison Wesley
London Metropolitan University, Personal Development Portfolio (PDP) Web Site Student Guide 2009-10,
Skills4study About personal development planning (PDP) available online: http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/pdp/about/index.asp accessed 05/02/2012