The Negotiated Learning Module operates as a learning contract that allows a student flexibility and choice in terms of identifying the areas in which they feel the need for academic development. It also allows flexibility in the pattern of learning activities that are defined and implemented as part of a negotiated learning contract. The contract is to be agreed by the student and an academic tutor at the start of the open module. The module can only be undertaken if a member of academic staff is willing to act as a mentor for the open module. The learning outcomes and aims are to be agreed in negotiation with an academic, who should have appropriate level of knowledge in the topic being investigated.
This module seeks to facilitate the creation of students capable of undertaking responsibility for their own learning and of evolving methods for testing that learning. The programme of studies should be carefully designed to product students who are capable of taking responsibility for their own learning, who can design effective modules of study for their own independent learning, and who can product assessment schemes for testing the effectiveness of their learning schemes and the depth of their learning.

The contract must be approved by the Faculty Learning Quality and Standards Committee to ensure that it meets Level 7 requirements and maintains the Programme Learning Outcomes.

On successful completion of this module a student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate competence in an area of scholarship with which they were not previously familiar.
2. Have developed at an advanced level as an autonomous learner through taking responsibility for and planning their own module of study, as well as for investigating the most appropriate ways of assessing their learning.
3. Take responsibility for their own learning including designing and implementing an independent learning contract.
4. Critically reflect on the learning experience against predefined goals.

The learning contract: You write the contract in association with your tutor/advisor. You must word the contract carefully so that a third party, e.g. internal or external examiner, can interpret it clearly and easily. In particular you should take care with differentiating between the aims and objectives of your study and the learning outcomes of your study. You advisor can help you with this. The learning outcomes identify what you will have achieved by completing this module. Some will be related to subject knowledge and might be expressed in terms such as, 'acquire a detailed knowledge and understanding of the processes of ...' Some will relate to the activity or method through which you pursue this knowledge/understanding and might be expressed in terms such as, 'experience of site analysis using a named evaluation technique' Others will reflect your personal development and might include reference to: effective project planning and monitoring; time management skills; goal setting; dealing with problems and advice/criticism in a positive and creative manner; presentation skills. Remember to be realistic, as your performance and your assignment(s) will be measured against these outcomes. Learning outcomes should be appropriate for master's level study. Remember too that study at postgraduate level should provide students with the ability to:
1. reflect on the significance and inter-relationships of knowledge acquired both by the study and from the professional experience of the student;
2. on the basis of such reflection, to formulate original ideas and innovative proposals;
3. initiate change on the basis of informed ideas and proposals, within the context of the student's personal professional activity;
4. carry out the activities outlined in a. to c. above autonomously, such that the individual has the ability to initiate, plan and organise his/her own professional development;
5. see the relationships between different aspects of the programme and integrate information. This linkage between subjects will be reflected in the way individual modules will be taught.

How to get started:
1. Having identified your particular area of interest, you should carry out some initial background reading. This will enable you to select a topic and possible focus of study before you approach the module leader.
2. Make an appointment to see the Module and present your proposals for this independent module in writing.
3. The module leader will comment on your proposals and then be able to designate an appropriate tutor to act as your advisor/mentor.
4. You would negotiate with the module leader (or, in some circumstances, your advisor) the following: aims and objectives of your actual study; learning outcomes to be achieved through your study; form of assessment (which must equate to 5,000 words of assignment, normally there are two+ items which could comprise one or more of the following: oral presentation, workshop leadership, essay, report, video, poster, portfolio, web page, cassette tape etc., depending on the nature of study and negotiated outcomes). Please note that the assessment must include an element of self-reflection on the learning outcomes of the module; submission date(s) for the assignment(s); programme of meetings with your tutor-advisor during the semester.
5. Draw up a work programme for yourself: establish firm commitments such any taught modules that you could attend to support your study, submission deadlines and appointments with your tutor/advisor on a calendar, working back from the submission deadline and taking into account other academic requirements from other modules, allocate the remaining learning hours to a manageable timetable (to be submitted to your tutor), specify the nature of the activities to be carried out in these learning hours, e.g. library search time, reading time, reflecting time, site visits, preparation of assignment etc. Be realistic and include time for recovery of corrupted discs etc! devise 'targets' which are achievable, which help you chart your progress and which will enable you to meet your contract requirements.
6. Keep a diary record of your progress. Learning Time (1 credit = 10 hours)

Role of module Leader:
1. to administer the module, to receive and assess the feasibility of a student's proposals for independent study and submit to Faculty Learning Quality and Standards Committee for approval.
2. to identify academic advisors/mentors and tutors who a student may contact for specialist advice,
3. to maintain an overview of the module implementation, including moderation of assessment marking.

Role of advisor/academic mentor:
1. to negotiate with the student the exact nature of the study to be completed through this module,
2. to work in association with the student so that the latter can produce the learning contract,
3. to monitor the progress of the student,
4. to provide tutorial support and offer specialist advice if and when the tutor considers it to be applicable.

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In the Negotiated Learning module, a student cannot reasonably expect tutor-contact time in excess of 10 hours.

Role of student:
1. Preparation for the module: You should consider the reasons for undertaking a negotiated learning module. Firstly, ask yourself what topic you are wishing to study and what are your reasons for wanting to study this topic? Secondly, confirm that the topic of study is not covered in a module in the University of Greenwich. Thirdly, identify the learning outcomes of the open module, i.e. what do you wish to achieve by the end of the module? You should consider these issues and put your ideas down on paper before you approach the module leader. You should review your skills and critically assess your ability to perform effectively as an autonomous learner. How well can you plan a meaningful study programme? Can you identify your academic strengths? How good are you at working independently? How good are you at self-motivation? How well-organised are you? How tenacious are you? It would be a worthwhile exercise to repeat this critical self-evaluation on completion of the module. You will be taking much of the responsibility for your own learning. It is up to you to identify the focus of your study and the methods through which you will achieve the learning. It is up to you to suggest the most effective way of assessing your learning. It is up to you to make the best use of the tutorial time available to you by being well-prepared and proactive. It is up to you to manage the pace and depth of learning you have set out to achieve.
2. Carrying out the module You should make appointments to see your tutor/advisor and make sure you attend all meetings.

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The product of your negotiated learning will depend entirely on your contract and what you are trying to achieve in this module. It should be whatever is most appropriate for the fulfilment of your negotiated aims, objectives and agreed outcomes. It must be agreed in advance. The criteria for marking should also be considered. Assessments will be marked against the standard School MSc marking criteria. If you consider that these existing marking criteria may require some minor amendment to make them appropriate for your term of assessment(s), then this can only be done with the express agreement of the tutor/advisor. Your advisor will guide you.
Assessment will be determined by the student, after consultation with their supervisor. In designing the assessment for the programme, students should consider Egan's acronym for writing effective learning outcomes, i.e. learning outcomes should be: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-restricted It is important to submit a copy of your learning contract with your assignments.

Coursework: 100% weighting, 50% pass mark.
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4.
Word Length: 4500 words equivalent.
Outline Details: Negotiated assessment: Normally there will be one or two items of assessment. These may include a traditional essay, a formal report (e.g. like a consultant's report), a research report (e.g. like a dissertation), a poster, video presentation, web page, oral presentation, exhibition material, mini-conference etc. It could be a combination of more than one of these.
Formative Assessment: An outline of the selected assessment(s).