This module is taken on a blended basis by students on the extended workplace placement that is a feature of the new Digital Mechatronic Engineering programme. In addition to the occupational skills and competencies developed through the course of the programme, employers expect that students will be able to apply the problem solving and critical thinking principles that they have learned earlier in the programme. A use case example is selected based on workplace requirements in collaboration with their industry supervisor and academic module leader. In addition to the professional and personal skills that they have developed during their extended placement, students will be expected to demonstrate a portfolio of work that illustrates how they have tackled their workplace based problem and engaged in reflective practice to assess whether the design that they propose satisfies the problem statement that has been agreed at the outset of the module. The student will write a industry white paper on the agreed problem statement topic, this will form a main module assessment instrument. Being embedded in a workplace during the Digital Mechatronic Engineering programme is a valuable opportunity for students to develop and apply the range of demonstrable, professional and transferable problem solving skills that are consistently sought in the workplace. Successful completion of this module will require students to critically reflect on their problem solving technique, identify gaps in their skills and knowledge, and in collaboration with their industry mentor, consider the merits of alternative strategies to achieve the project objective. The portfolio provides a record of a student's learning activity, a worklog as evidence of attainment of the skills and competencies over the course of the placement, a reflective journal on the progress of the project, a record of skills for potential future employers and finally a drafting of an industry white paper on the agreed problem statement topic. Link module to ID8096

A problem statement is developed in collaboration with the Industry supervisor, the academic module leader that is consistent with the development of the personal and professional skills necessary to be recognised as a Digital Mechatronic Engineer. The process of the delivery and organisation of this module is through a series of submissions that are agreed at staged intervals during the work placement and will be submitted for assessment by the academic module leader using the University Learning Management System. Underpinned by a community of learners and communities of practice philosophy, the nature of the placement fosters a need for collaboration and discussion with workplace colleagues with a view to the implementation of a solution that is practicable, safe, ethical and sustainable. Any proposed solution must be executed in a context that is cognisant of broad occupation knowledge and the improvement of professional practice. The student will be expected to produce a portfolio that demonstrates engagement with emerging trends, the identification of alternative strategies and a recognition of current and future challenges for their employer by way of an industry white paper. The module encourages active membership and engagement with the appropriate professional organisations and consultative bodies, subject associations and professional networking.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Critically evaluate skills and competencies learned throughout the education programme to date. Analyse their performance with the view to determining opportunities for alternative and further action. Construct and deliver an experience and skills-based portfolio based on the appropriate identification of skills necessary to complete the problem statement. Report on their personal and professional development through the placement programme and drafting of an industry white paper

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Develop an awareness of the value of personal and professional skills for developing competencies in the context of their placement. Be able to identify ethical challenges that have been overcome during their project. Appreciate the importance of networking and engaging in personal and professional development for skills development and career growth. Describe the role of work based informal learning in developing skills and competencies for their career.

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The module is delivered in a blended manner. Students will experience a supportive and dynamic learning environment in which there will be an emphasis on peer learning, team learning, critical reflection, and feedback. The relevant employer will provide training appropriate for the development of the personal and professional skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the problem statement. Learners who complete this module will develop the following graduate attributes: Gain a capacity to critically reflect on the knowledge accumulated during their programme of study and to apply their learning to their workplace practices. Determine practical limits of performance that are possible for a particular solution that is informed by a thorough knowledge of the current state-of-the-art. Become proactive in their own learning through independent study and self-directed learning. Learn how to be creative in seeing new opportunities for future innovations in their workplace and action them. Develop an engaged approach to their career development and understand their responsibility for skills development in a professional context.