BTEC ND Music Technology
Student Handbook
NESCOT
2005-2006
Issue 1
Contents
Contents2
Introduction3
The Staff4
The tutorial system5
The academic year6
Timetable6
ND (National Diploma)6
Assignments, assessments and grading7
Responding to assignment briefs7
Preparing a plan7
Researching and developing your ideas8
Design8
Production8
Presentation8
Evaluation9
Assessment and grading9
For National Diploma Level9
Key Skills10
Internal Verification10
Marking turn-around commitments10
Feedback arrangements10
Our expectations11
Attendance and Punctuality12
Assignment sessions and practical sessions12
Lectures/ formal classes.12
Self directed study12
Critiques and group tutorials12
Seminars12
Group Discussion12
The facilities13
Booking13
Health & Safety Issues14
Code of Practise - Facilities15
Equipment and Materials15
Resources16
The library16
Independent Study16
The Learning Workshop16
The Nescot Web site16
The Internet16
Appendix17
Essays & Reports writing guidelines17
Appeals21
Quality Enhancement 21
Submission form22
Late submission form23
Units of study 23 - 40
Introduction
BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology
Welcome to the BTEC National Diploma (ND) in Music Technology at NESCOT. This guide is intended to outline how the course operates and provide you with some of the resources you may need to ensure success.
A BTEC National Diploma is a practical, work-related course. You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. As well as learning about the employment area you have chosen, you develop the skills you need to start a career.
It is equivalent to three A levels which means when you have finished the course you can choose whether to get a job straight away or go into higher education first.
A BTEC National Diploma is taken full-time.
The course is suitable for school leavers and young people wishing to progress in the music and media industries.
The course programme consists of a number of units in the following subjects.
The subjects studied:
ND Music Technology
The subjects studied:
Music Technology Compulsory Units:
Unit 1 (year 1)The Music Industry
Unit 2 (year 2)Listening Skills
Unit 27 (year 1)MIDI Sequencing and Software
Unit 28 (year 1) Sound Recording
Unit 29 (year 2) Studio Production
Unit 30a (year 2) Studio Process (FMP, Double Value Unit)
Music Technology Specialist Units
Unit 3(year 2)Music in context
Unit 10(year 1)History of Popular Music
Unit 23(year 2)Special Subject Investigation
Unit 26(year 2) Freelance World
Unit 33(year 1)Computer Technology for Music
Unit 34 (year 2) Digital audio Principles
Unit 37 (year 1)Events Management
Unit 39 (year 2)Live Sound
Unit 40(year 2)Multimedia Sound Production
Unit 42(year 2)Music Technology & Performance
Unit 43(year 1) Music Instrument Technology
Unit 45(year 1)Sound for the Moving Image
The Staff
The academic staff is comprised of experienced lecturers with a variety of specialised skills. They will introduce assignments and give you support throughout the development of your practical and theoretical work.
The operation of the course is the responsibility of the course team and the course leader who has overall responsibility for the course and leads the team. Lecturers on the team will organise the teaching and assessment for
specific units.
Course Team
Tutor / email / Room / TelRichard Salmon / / Room N309 / 020 8394 3137
Alan Hardcastle / / Room N109 / 020 8394 3199
Andrew Cowan / / Media Suite / 020 8394 3137
Technical Support
Technicians are on site to offer their technical expertise and support to both the lecturers and students. You will come into contact with them when booking out equipment for the studios, etc. For information or assistance on matters connected with your assignments you should always seek help from a lecturer.
Andrew CowanMedia Suite Studio Manager
Scott Lewis Photographic technician & Video Production
Bruce GrayDigital Imaging & Multimedia
The tutorial system
You will be assigned a personal tutor who will monitor your academic progress and who can also offer confidential help and advice on academic and personal matters. It is intended that students develop a working relationship with their tutor and that they do not only restrict their appointments to when they have a problem.
The tutorial system at Nescot forms an integral part of the learning process. It's purpose is to:-
• Allow you and your tutor to get to know each other.
• Set and help you achieve your learning goals.
• Give you a chance to air any issues you might have.
You are entitled to tutorial support from a personal tutor if you are on a course of study consisting of an academic year or more. You will receive:-
• An induction tutorial
• Three post induction tutorials per year.
The academic year
Timetable
At the beginning of the academic year you will be given a timetable for the year. It is likely that there will be slight changes during the year. It will indicate formal lecture sessions, supervised practical sessions and workshops.
Term dates / FE
Term 1 - Autumn term:
6 September 2005 – 16th December 2005
Term 2 - Spring term:
3rd January 2006 – 31th March 2006
Term 3 - Summer term:
19th April 2006 – 30th June 2006
Holidays Half Term
24th October 2005 -28th October 2005
13th February 2006 –17th February 2006
29th May 2006 – 5th June 2006
Assignments, assessments and grading.
Responding to assignment briefs
Successful assignment work is a result of a process that includes the following stages:-
• Planning
• Researching and developing ideas.
• Design
• Production
• Presentation
• Evaluation
To enable you to plan effectively you must first be sure that you understand the assignment brief, consider asking yourself the following questions:-
• What are the criteria, what exactly are you required to produce?
• What are the technical and cost constraints?
• What is the deadline?
• How will the technical, cost and time constraints affect what you produce?
If you have asked yourself the above questions and are uncertain about anything ask a lecturer.
Preparing a plan
This will enable you to break down the work into small pieces that can be reviewed at intervals.
• Write down the important stages in the process, numbers 2-6 above, as a series of titles.
• List all of the things that have to be done under each title.
• Working backwards from your submission deadline work out the dates by which stage must be completed.
• Write down the key dates prior to the deadline.
Researching and developing your ideas
It is important that you develop your own ideas for work by examining the work of others. This will help you to develop a visually interesting individual response. It is also important that you can show that you have undertaken research so you should always make a list of your research. See appropriate section in handbook.
• Examine a range of sources. For example CD-ROM, Internet, Intranet, textbooks, film, exhibitions, journals. Talk to professionals working in appropriate areas if possible.
• Examine the way in which materials, techniques and technology have been used.
• Analyse the researched material to see how it can support the development of your own ideas.
• Annotate photocopies of researched materials.
Design
At this stage you should be making sketches which reflect the work that you will produce. The link between your research and the development of your own ideas should be clear in your sketches.
• Make sketches that show how your own work will look.
• Identify appropriate materials, techniques and technology.
Production
This is the stage where all the previous work should show.
• Select and use appropriate materials, techniques and technology.
• Create finished work which fulfils the assignment brief.
Presentation
This is an important stage in the process. Interesting work can be strengthened or weakened by the way in which it is presented.
• What exactly are you required to produce (Known as the outcome)
• Word process and spell check all written work.
Evaluation
It is important that you review the progress of your work at each of the stages and that you meet the deadlines set. You should always evaluate your work. Some or all of the following questions could be used to form a structure for your evaluation.
• How well does the work produced meet the criteria set in the assignment brief.
• Did you keep to the work plan and did you meet the deadlines set.
• How effectively did you research and develop your ideas for the assignment.
• What are the aesthetic qualities of your work
• Does the work communicate the original idea.
• Suggest any improvements you would make if you were to do the work again.
Assessment and grading
All student projects are to be handed in on time at the general office
(room S114) to an AMGE Administrator who will date stamp and sign it. The project should contain:
1the project brief
2project work
3submission form
The Tutor will then mark and return the projects within 3 weeks.
Specific information on assessment for each assignment will be given on the assignment sheet. However the following general information may be helpful.
For National Diploma Level
Each unit will be graded as a Pass, Merit or Distinction as shown in the table below.
Pass / Merit / DistinctionTo achieve a pass the student must meet all the requirements defined in the assessment criteria for each unit. / To achieve a merit the student
must:
- review and respond appropriately to a variety of information
- check validity in evaluating and responding appropriately to a variety of information
- demonstrate skill and understanding through analysing and applying knowledge
- demonstrate skill and understanding through evaluating and synthesising knowledge and justifying conclusions
- choose an appropriate format to present work coherently, using vocational language accurately.
- show an individual approach to structuring and presenting work in a coherent and appropriate format using vocational language fluently.
Key skills
Key skills are transferable skills that play an essential role in developing personal effectiveness for adult and working life, and in the application of specific vocational skills. They provide a foundation for continual learning to enable and empower individuals who inevitably face a series of choices in work, education and training throughout their lives.
Key Skills units are available in six different areas:-
• Application of number
• Communication
• Information Technology
• Personal Skills: Improving own Learning and Performance
• Personal Skills: Working with Others
• Problem Solving
Internal Verification
To ensure that all assignment work is fairly and consistently assessed Nescot operates a system of internal verification. This means that another lecturer as well as the lecturer who has set the work will assess some of the work that is produced on your course. This is a well-established process, which is planned in advance every year.
Marking turn-around commitments
All lecturers attempt to assess your work and return it to you within 15 working days of the submission date.
Feedback arrangements
Feedback about your work may be verbal in the case of a critique session, or informal/formal work in progress meetings. More often your feedback will be written on the assignment submission form. If you are concerned about your assessment decisions you receive please do not hesitate to ask the lecturer concerned.
Our expectations
We hope that you will enjoy your time at Nescot and that you find your studies interesting and rewarding.
During your time here we will treat you with respect and will encourage you to learn by supporting you in an environment that if friendly. In return we expect that all our students will also show respect for other members of the Nescot community. We also expect students to attend all classes on time and to contribute tot he associated activities in a positive manner.
Attendance and Punctuality
We expect all students to be self motivated and attend all lectures, tutorials, workshops and practical sessions on time. Any student who arrives late will be asked for an explanation(which will be noted) but will be admitted. If attendance is not of an acceptable level your tutor will discuss the problem with you and this may be referred to a college disciplinary. This is because if you are not attending regularly it is unlikely that you will be able to successfully complete your course.
During your course you will experience a range of teaching and learning. You will probably experience the following:
Assignment sessions and practical sessions
These practical sessions are student led. This means that you must attend your class equipped to work on your assignments. You will need to bring the materials appropriate to the session. This could be your negatives, printing paper, or computer discs and any additional information that you need to complete your assignment, for example the assignment brief and any handouts that you have been given. Academic staff will be there to monitor your progress and provide support for you.
Lectures/ formal classes
Lectures provide a foundation for independent study and guided reading. Therefore during formal lecture presentations by academic staff you will be expected to listen and write reference notes to remind yourself of the content of the lecture. There is always opportunity to ask questions during the lecture period so please do not be afraid to ask.
Self directed study
This is the time that you must manage yourself. During this time you are responsible for planning how you will undertake your assignments. It is also the time when you will do the research that is necessary for your assignments, and produce your work processed written work. During this time you will expected to make full use of the Learning Resources Centre where you will gain a lot of personal help as well as reference material. It is very important that you plan your self-directed study time effectively as this will help you to complete your assignment work successfully.
Critiques and group tutorials
During these sessions a group of students meet together with a member of a academic staff to review work in progress or final work. This gives everyone the chance to compare and develop his or her work successfully with the benefit of small group feedback.
Seminars
These are student led sessions, which will take the form of short presentations followed by informal discussion. These small group sessions, which will be chaired by a member of academic staff, will provide an important forum for you to present your ideas or findings on a subject.
Group Discussion
These sessions may involve case studies or the review of published written material or multimedia productions. They provide an opportunity for the interchange of ideas and the development of critical thinking. You will be expected to contribute to the discussion during the sessions.
The facilities
Booking
Most of the equipment in the media practical areas is available on a booking system. It is very wise to plan ahead and book the equipment that you need in advance of your session.
During your timetabled sessions on your priority day you will be able to book 5 days in advance. During your assignment time, which may be shared with other courses, you will also be able to book 5 days in advance.
By prior agreement of the academic staff member on duty you may be able to book equipment during sessions for which you are not timetabled.
However, this is not expected to be a common situation.
Health & safety issues
It is important that all ND students understand health and safety regulations that govern work in video, audio and practical production activities. You are given broad advice on this during induction. When you are engaged in practical elements of the course you need to be aware of risks associated with media work and ensure sensible working conditions and rules are scrupulously followed. These conditions apply BOTH on college premises and when on location.
Code of Practice - Facilities
• You will only be allowed to use facilities having first undertaken the initial workshops in safe practise in the facilities and completed the safety questionnaire.
• You are required to observe safe-working practises at all times. Your safety and that of others is the priority at all times.
• There is a booking system for equipment and this must be adhered to.
• You are required to leave studios in a clean and tidy state.
• Any problems that you encounter with equipment should be reported to a technician. Please do not attempt to repair faults yourself.
• Opening and closing times are posted and observed.
• No eating or drinking is allowed in the facilities.
• Coursework takes priority at all times and appropriate use should be made of the facilities. Any personal or portfolio work is only carried on at the discretion of the staff on duty.
Equipment and materials
Consumable material will be required throughout the course and you will be responsible for providing them.