Module Code - Title:
MN5152
-
FUTURE FOCUSED PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO 2
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
MN5152 introduces participants to the principles and practices of futures thinking, preparing them to anticipate, imagine, and plan for a range of possible futures. The module fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, enabling students to navigate complexity and uncertainty in professional contexts. Through structured activities and reflection, students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates their application of futures thinking methodologies to real-world challenges. MN5152 is a standalone module designed to build future-focused competences relevant across industries and disciplines.
Syllabus:
This module introduces participants to the principles and practices of futures thinking, preparing them to anticipate, imagine, and plan for a range of possible futures. The module fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, enabling students to navigate complexity and uncertainty in professional contexts. Through structured activities and reflection, students will develop a portfolio that demonstrates their application of futures thinking methodologies to real-world challenges.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Analyse emerging trends and drivers of change using established futures thinking frameworks and tools.
2. Design and evaluate possible future scenarios in a professional context, assessing risks, opportunities, and implications.
3. Synthesise insights from multiple disciplines to develop innovative responses to complex future-oriented challenges.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate a proactive approach to personal and professional development by applying futures thinking in reflective portfolio work.
2. Collaborate effectively with peers from diverse backgrounds to explore alternative futures and co-develop shared responses.
3. Articulate considered, values-informed perspectives on uncertainty, change, and future responsibility in professional contexts.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The programme will be delivered fully online. 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. Students will be facilitated in recording and reflecting on their disciplinary and transdisciplinary competence development throughout their programme. Work will be graded based on critical reflection on learner's competence development and production of their final portfolio. This module supports the development of all five UL graduate attributes: Curious: Students develop critical futures thinking as they explore uncertainty, challenge assumptions, and apply foresight tools to real-world problems. By analysing trends and imagining alternative scenarios, they become more inquisitive and imaginative in how they approach complexity.
Agile: Learners become open-minded and adaptive, engaging with ambiguity and change as they co-create responses to possible futures. The module encourages independent thinking and flexible approaches to problem-solving in dynamic team environments.
Courageous: Students are supported to take intellectual risks by envisioning transformative futures and proposing bold responses to uncertain challenges. The futures mindset nurtured in the module builds their resilience and capacity to innovate.
Responsible: The reflective portfolio fosters a sense of ethical and professional responsibility, encouraging students to consider the social, environmental, and long-term implications of their ideas and decisions. They demonstrate accountability for their personal and professional development.
Articulate: Through group work and portfolio development, students strengthen their interpersonal and communication skills. They learn to clearly express complex ideas, engage empathetically with diverse perspectives, and collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams.
Prime Texts:
Schön, Donald A (2013)
The reflective practitioner: how professionals think in action
, Aldershot: Ashgate (e-book available)
Other Relevant Texts:
Canning, Natalie, and Sue Callan (2010)
"Heutagogy: Spirals of reflection to empower learners in higher education."
, Reflective Practice 11, no. 1 (2010): 71-82.
Blaschke, Lisa Marie. (2018)
Self-determined learning (heutagogy) and digital media creating integrated educational environments for developing lifelong learning skills."
, In The digital turn in higher education, pp. 129-140. Springer VS, Wiesbaden
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE FUTURES
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR COMPUTER VISION
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN CLIMATE ADAPTION AND SUSTAINABILITY
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COGNITIVE ROBOTICS
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR ENTERPRISE
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER VISION SYSTEMS
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN DATA ANALYTICS
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN DATA COMMUNICATIONS
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN FINANCIAL ANALYTICS
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN LAW AND TECHNOLOGY
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN OT SECURITY OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN TRANSFERABLE SKILLS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY WORKPLACE
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Joanna.byrne@ul.ie