A typical learning contract as used in higher education is a formal written agreement between the learner and a tutor which details what is to be learnt, the resources and strategies available to assist in learning it, what will be produced as evidence of the learning having occurred, how that product will be assessed and within what timeframe the learning will take place (Knowles 1975; 1986).
1) What are you going to learn this academic year? (what are the learning outcomes, what is to be learned?)
At the end of this academic year I would like to have a good knowledge on all of the various psychological principles within the module. I would like to further this knowledge of the principles by relating it sports performance. For example, why some athletes succeed and are at the top of their sport, and how much this of this success is related to psychology.
2) What is the best way to achieve those learning outcomes? (activities, strategies, tasks, environmental conditions. Attitude, behaviours)
To succeed in my goals, I need to make sure I attend all time tabled lessons, and be engaged in these lectures and seminars, in addition I need to make sure I complete all tasks set by lectures and complete the reading set. To further my knowledge and understanding I will attempt my own questions and complete additional reading of my own. It is also important for me to take part in as many group tasks as possible, this way I will get other people’s point of view, this will expand my own knowledge.
3) How will your learning and accomplishments being monitored?
After completing work, I will look over it and look for my strengths and weaknesses, this way I can do extra reading on the weaker part of the work. Also there is the online blog, by using the blog and posting my work, it will allow my peers and lectures to see my work and look for improvements, this ensures that my work will keep improving. The blog also will allow me to easily monitor my work as I can easily look at the work I have previously completed. Another way I will monitor my work is looking at the module handbook, this shows me all the tasks I should have done throughout the year, therefore if I complete all the tasks in this handbook I should be up to date in my lectures.
4) What are the roles and responsibilities of those involved in your learning?
When working together all members of the group should contribute, this allows a large variety of opinions to be voiced this will allow us to approach the tasks with various points of view and allowing us to produce the best work we can. It is also important for everyone to feel comfortable enough in that environment so that when they share their opinions they won’t feel as though they’re getting judged. When working in groups it is important for all of the work to be divided evenly, and each person has to complete their task set.