Developing the tools of the trade: reconciling vocational and academic demands

For a while it has been clear that large numbers of Accountancy students have not been developing their academic skills sufficiently to do well in their studies. It has also been the case that Accountancy students have not used the HUBS Academic Skills Unit in the same numbers as those from other parts of the School.

As a result it was decided that a new year one module: 'Accountants in Organisations' (AIO) should be developed that continued to emphasise the vocational aspects of the subject, particularly employability, but which also provided early experience of the academic skills required for study on the course.

The module aims to introduce the students to a variety of traditional academic skills and procedures as well as trying to promote forms of assessment, such as, peer review and attendance monitoring and formative assessment. In addition, it provides a vehicle for embedding PDP and personal tutoring systems.

This short presentation will explain how the course was constructed, how it developed, what the successes were, what the disappointments were and following the first year of operation, how the module has subsequently been adapted.