Sorry Peter - Autism Spectrum Conditions.
Harriet Cannon
Disability Coordinator (Asperger Syndrome / Specialist Mentor Scheme Coordinator)
University of Leeds
0113 343 7538
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Hill
Sent: 28 January 2009 12:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Professional Skills modules and ASC students
Hi
Excuse my ignorance - but what are ASCs? (Autistic Spectrum ...???)
Peter
Harriet Cannon wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> Here at Leeds a number of our students with ASCs (primarily Asperger
> Syndrome) are experiencing difficulties with the Professional Skills
> module that has recently become compulsory as part of all undergraduate
> degrees. This module is a result of the University's 'Leeds for Life'
> initiative, which is connected to the DIUS 'Higher Education at Work:
> High Skills, High Value' consultation (April 2008). It's all to do with
> employability and getting students to focus on, and market their
> abilities, skills and attributes in relation to their future
> employability. The module is worth 20 credits, and is therefore a
> significant part of their final grade.
>
> In practice the module seems to be very much based on self-reflection
> and self-analysis, such as evaluating past experience and working out
> strengths and weaknesses. There is a large element of self-promotion,
> such as writing CVs and completing fictional job applications. There is
> also an element of imagination, such as imagining oneself in certain
> careers and writing about how one might perceive these careers once in
> post. Clearly, all these elements can be extremely difficult for many
> students with ASCs, to the point where they are unable to complete
> assignments relating to the module. I am also worried that these
> assignments are reinforcing some students' negative impressions of
> themselves, and therefore adding to existing low self-esteem.
>
> Has anyone else come across this problem? I'm hoping to persuade the
> University to consider alternative assessment for the learning outcomes
> for this module - does anyone have any examples of what form alternative
> assessment in the area of Professional Skills might take? One
> department has come up with the possibility of using a student's
> personal website (which is very much connected to his degree), but that
> wouldn't work for most students.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Harriet
> ____________________________________________
> Harriet Cannon
> Disability Coordinator (Asperger Syndrome / Specialist Mentor Scheme
> Coordinator)
> The Equality Service
> Ground Floor, Social Sciences Building
> University of Leeds
> Leeds, LS2 9JT
> Tel: 0113 343 7538
> Fax: 0113 343 3944
> [log in to unmask]
> www.equality.leeds.ac.uk
>
>
>
>
>
--
Peter J Hill
Tel: 01905 391 547
Mobile: 07751 792711
Email: [log in to unmask]
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