- An undergraduate course
in
Science.
Demonstrating practice in health sciences
- On this page
This six-month course, Demonstrating practice in health sciences, is an APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) version of Health sciences in practice (S110). It offers an alternative route for study for more experienced health professionals, who have a level of theoretical understanding and practical competence that means full study of the course is a less appropriate option. You will need to be able to present evidence of substantial prior work-based learning. You will be given guidance and instruction on how to compile an ePortfolio of evidence that demonstrates your achievement of the learning outcomes of the course.
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | SZL110 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| 2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
Register for the course
What you will study
The course captures and builds your existing skills and knowledge and shows how evidence of such pre-existing learning can be explicitly demonstrated. You will demonstrate your understanding by completing a range of prescribed activities – one or two for each of the course learning outcomes – that allow you to communicate what has been learnt from your workplace experience.
The main body of the course resides in the Learning Guide which has four substantial components.
The first section outlines APEL as a study process and explains the structure and requirements of the course, notably the assessment strategy. It also describes the analytical and descriptive skills that are of value in showing evidence of learning as related to specific learning outcomes. It discusses what is meant by ‘learning from experience’ and the different sources of help and guidance that you can call on to support your studies.
Section 2 of the Learning Guide outlines the content of the parent course Health sciences in practice (S110), detailing the content and approach of each of its six units. This background material is available online, which you can use to reinforce and enhance your existing work-based knowledge and practical competence.
Section 3 looks in more detail at reflection, in particular reflective writing, and its key role in the analysis of critical incidents that offer professional insight. It considers the value of models of reflective practice, giving examples of such analyses from practising paramedics.
Section 4 represents the major focus of your study. It sets out a range of prescriptive activities – each related to a specific learning outcome – that you are required to tackle. Such activities include:
- giving scientific explanations of medical conditions
- explaining the medical basis for particular forms of treatment
- providing evidence of numerical competency
- demonstrating awareness of health and safety procedures
- producing extended pieces of writing about social and ethical issues that relate to their practice
- researching an area of clinical controversy
- drawing-up of a personal development plan.
Your responses to each of these activities are added to a developing ePortfolio of evidence, which is submitted as a key component of your end-of-module assessment (EMA).
Entry
SZL110 is not available as a stand-alone course. It is only available to students who are supported in the workplace by their employer and studying it as a module of one of the following qualifications:
- Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences /Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences
- Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Sciences.
We recommend that you study SZL110 alongside Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125) but you can study SDK125 first if you wish.
As well as meeting the requirements for registration that relate to S110, with respect to enhanced CRB check, English language qualification and health check, you will need to:
- have successfully completed an OU course (minimum 10 credits) before starting this course
- be working at ‘competent’ level for at least fifty per cent of the level 1 paramedic/operating department practice (ODP)/health sciences (HS) competences at the start of this course (see the Work-based learning qualifications website for details)
- have worked in a paramedic/ODP/laboratory setting for at least 1000 hours in the past three years.
Important additional information about this course, including its registration requirements can be seen on the Work-based learning qualifications website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Outside the UK
Currently there are no plans to offer this course outside the UK.
Preparatory work
In order to register for this course you must be employed in a relevant job in the health sector and satisfy the conditions outlined above. Your employer must agree to support you throughout your studies, and to arrange any practice placements necessary for you to develop skills fitting you for competent practice as specified by the relevant professional body. In parallel with this course you must also study Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125), which teaches you more of the theory that you will need to support your practice.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Much of this course is delivered through a website and includes the use of online tutorials and resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Written transcripts of audio components are not available but this will not affect your ability to pass the course or attain good marks. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and scientific, diagrammatic, or foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website . It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
The Learning Guide and Assessment materials are available only online. The supporting text The Good Study Guide is also available in electronic format; two DVD-ROMs are supplied in the course mailing.
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study this course which includes online activities. You can only access these using a web browser with Flash and Java.
- If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2006 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
- If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
- If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.5 or later.
You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have an OU tutor who you will be in contact with by telephone and online during the course. Tutorial activities will take place online. Your OU tutor is responsible for your academic development, and will answer questions about academic, course-related matters. Additionally you will have a workplace mentor, supplied by your employer, who will look after your needs and guide you in the workplace, and will encourage your skills development and ePortfolio construction.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
The end-of-module assessment (EMA) requires you to write a report; submit an ePortfolio that you will have developed through the course that contains your compiled evidence of learning outcome related achievement; and (amongst other items) provide verification of your achievement of ‘competent practice’ level for competences appropriate to your profession.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2012. We expect it to be available once a year.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept online registrations for this course. Instead, please read the Entry section of this course description and contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.
| Course facts | |
|---|---|
| About this course: | |
| Course code | SZL110 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: | |
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| 2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) | |
| End-of-module assessment | |
| No residential school | |
Undergraduate
Study explained
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