The document provides guidance for students on completing their first assessment (TMA1) for the course. It outlines several key criteria that students must meet: [1] referencing and discussing course materials to demonstrate understanding, [2] presenting a discussion that moves beyond description to showing thinking on the topic, and [3] linking practice to course materials. It emphasizes the importance of referencing course materials, structuring the writing clearly, and meeting all requirements and word limits. Students are advised that average marks generally fall between 50-60% and to not be disappointed by scores in this range as they indicate a credible effort.

1. Marking the TMA1 Look at the criteria on page 4 and 5 of the assessment guide. You will need to show ‘your knowledge and understanding of relevant course material’. This means that in the course of your writing you will need to reference to the course materials. You will need to show in your discussion of these materials you understanding of them. If you do not refer to course materials you will not meet this criterion. Common mistakes: not referring to course materials, only referring to one part of the course materials, adding references to your writing without discussion thus not showing understanding. You will need to show your ability to present a discussion of the main points relevant to the requirements of the assignment (including the extent to which specified learning outcomes have been met). Discussion is when you move away from just describing to showing your thinking, maybe looking at a situation from different points of view. For example if you are wanting to discuss your role you would describe what you do , but then go on to compare this with one of the practioners described in the course materials using a short quote and a reference. You will need to show the extent to which your practice has been influenced by the course materials and you thinking about practice. You will need to reference and discuss course materials in order to achieve this criterion. You will need to make a link between your practice and the course materials (including curriculum guidance etc.) You writing will need to be coherent, well structured and there are marks for being clear. To achieve this stick closely to the suggested structure of the assignment. Use Part or section numbers as subtitles. Use paragraphs to explore each topic trying to write with a flowing style. Academic paragraphs are a particular skill there is advice about this under Study Skills. You will need to show you have met the requirements. All word lengths are maximums so you must not exceed them. It is important that your reference and reference clearly for this criterion. Ethical considerations are important: do not disclose the identity of your setting nor of any children. Avoid photographs of individuals. Make sure you have answered the questions asked. Notice that 1,2 3 and 5 depend on your referencing so this is an important area. On page 4 it explains how you are given marks. How academic marks are given is slightly different and needs explanation. Generally speaking it is much easier to get marks in the middle say from 35% to 55% than it is to get marks at the ends of the scale. 0% usually means you did not submit any work…100% just never happens. Average marks for TMA for previous students mostly fell in the range of 50% to 60% so if you get this as a mark it is really a very good effort. Often students are disappointed to ‘only get’ 55% for example. Well 55% is a credible mark so you should be congratulating yourself. Remember marks are not given for ‘hard work’ they are given for meeting the criteria. Remember that this course is either Pass or Fail, on your certificate there will be no reference to marks you got. Cut Off dates Each TMA and the ECA has a cut off date. You must submit work in time. If you are using the eTMA system this means by midday on the submission day. If you are submitting by post it means 2 working days before the submission day (e.g. submission day Monday then post by Wednesday. Extensions- if you are going to be late for any reason you must agree this with me. I can give you extensions for TMA but the ECA does not normally allow for extensions. Above all else the rule here is to contact me as soon as you see a possible delay. Setting out your work Academic work is set out in a particular way. You work must be word processed. Line spacing should be 1.5. You put your name, personal identifier number, the assignment number, course code and page number at the top of each sheet; to do this I use the ‘header’. I set font size to 12. Word length. The word length is a maximum and there is no allowance. You need to give the word length at the end of you assignment. Word length is only the main part of your assignment not your long list of reference or Appendices