Having introduced semester planning for the BA Learning, Technology & Research course to previous cohorts, I have now introduced it at Level 1 for Cohort 9. In earlier versions of the course, students were asked to produce an Independent Learning Plan (ILP) for each module, so in the "old" version they would have produced two ILPs for this semester. The problem with planning for each module separately is that the student then has to apply two plans in parallel, rather than seeing the semester in its complete form. These can be called module-centric and learner-centric models of planning.

Some of the factors that have influenced my decision to introduce learner-centric planning are:

• student perception of overlapping modules as a challenge
• assessment experience of patchwork products that are good in the early weeks of a module but clearly rushed and sometimes incomplete or missing in the later weeks. In extreme cases this has led to failing a module through inadequately addressing an intended learning outcome
• staff stress when students appear to pay little attention to the start of the second module, usually two or more weeks after the start of the first module in a semester - the online equivalent of students not bothering to turn up for lectures or tutorials.
• missed opportunities for students in work-based study to optimise the use of work or study artefacts by re-purposing in parallel studies
• the advert for shampoo and conditioner - why take two into the shower?

The aim is to enable students to work/study smarter, not harder. Planning is harder in a learner-centric model, but should make a difference later in the semester once the initial ILP is drafted. For this reason, students are strongly advised to draft a working ILP within the first two weeks of the semester.

Looking at the early drafts, some common issues emerged such as:

• early drafts are largely on the right lines, though it is surprising how many are incomplete
• submission dates are more often incorrect that I would have expected
• confusion over the planning for the second module
• one of the key tasks, the final evaluation of learning, is missing on some plans
• summary of considerations not drafted

I will need to develop the ILP form and advice for the next delivery of the module, and use the online discussion areas to clarify some areas.

Also - I need to apply what I have learned in planning my own studies. I'd better go and find those dates:-)