Study guide (07) 1

Ascot House, High Street, Ascot Berkshire SL5 7HG Telephone 01344 628269 Fax 01344 622771 acc@rtc-mail.org.uk www.animalcarecollege.co.uk

Study Guide & General Information

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ANIMAL CARE COLLEGE

STUDY GUIDE & GENERAL INFORMATION

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THE COLLEGE

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ACCREDITATION

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3 ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COLLEGE

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ORGANISING YOUR STUDIES

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PLANNING YOUR SUBMISSIONS

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USING RESOURCES

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SPECIAL STUDIES

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GRADES

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APPEALS PROCEDURE

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YOUR TUTOR

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IN CONCLUSION

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1.

The College:

The Animal Care College was founded in 1980, and was originally known as The Canine Studies Institute. The Founders, David and Angela Cavill, were established and successful breeders, and were beginning to judge. Realising that there was a need for training judges, David wrote the Judging Diploma, which was followed by the Diploma in Kennel Management and the National Small Animal Care Certificate. Then followed the Veterinary Nursing Correspondence Course, and the Canine Human Interface (now replaced by Intermediate Canine Psychology).

By the end of the 1980s the College was training more students each year over a wider range of vocational and leisure animal care courses than any other comparable institution in the UK. This continues to be the case, and the College continues to be devoted solely to this specific sector.

The College has continued to grow over the years, and now offers more than thirty distance-learning courses, with more being written and added to the curriculum year by year.

Certificates are awarded on successful completion of courses, and College certification has been widely acknowledged within all spheres of the animal care sector. Many courses also provide valuable supporting evidence for National Vocational Qualifications and the Kennel Club’s Accreditation scheme for Trainers and Behaviourists. Graduates of the College are employed in rescue centres, kennels, in training and support charities and as dog wardens while many have used their certificates build a complete change in career.

In recent years, Governments have recognised the need to simplify understanding of the different levels at which all post compulsory educational courses are provided nationally. A body entitled Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) was set up, whose task was to appoint and oversee other bodies working to ensure that students undertaking courses at any specific level are assured of similar quality and standing. This in its turn has ensured that employers, colleges and universities are able to accurately assess 4

the level of knowledge and understanding achieved by the student in the chosen subject.

The College quickly recognised the need for independent accreditation of courses to ensure that each student is assured not only of a high quality of tuition and carefully edited course material provided by the College, but access to further education and higher education should he or she wish to pursue their studies to the highest level.

After consideration of the possible routes to independent accreditation, the College chose and applied to the Open College Network (OCN), and is now a member of this accredited body. Some courses are now accredited both by the College and by the Open College Network, and all courses are being prepared for submission over the next twelve to eighteen months.

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Accreditation:

College Certificates: On successful completion of a course delivered by the College, a certificate is awarded, which indicates Distinction, Credit or Pass.

The level of this award is based on the grades achieved for each unit of work submitted. Work submitted is carefully graded, and tutors meet regularly to moderate students’ work.

OCN Accreditation: Students completing courses that have OCN approval may apply for this independent accreditation upon achieving a Grade B and above.

Information is sent to the student when the course begins. A Witness Statement is required in which the student signs a statement that all the studies submitted will be his/her unaided work, and a person of some standing who knows the student signs a covering statement indicating their willingness to monitor the work and confirm that it is that of the named student.

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On completion of the course, all work submitted and the Grade Record Card is forwarded to the College for Internal Verification before being submitted for Moderation by the Open College Network appointed External Moderator. Following moderation, the Open College Network will issue a Certificate. It is important to realise that OCN certification is Pass / Fail - no grades or individual level of pass is indicated.

A student who achieves 12 credits at Level 3, plus 4 other credits, may be considered for entry to University courses - a route not previously open to students who did not achieve two/three ‘A’ levels while at school.

Other awarding bodies with which the College has been associated include the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and City & Guilds.

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Associate Membership of the College:

Students, who successfully complete a course that consists of three or more units of work, or two or more Short courses, may apply for Associate Membership of the College. This entitles them to use the letters AMACC after their name, to receive the College Newsletter and to be included in the Associate Members listing on the College’s web site. There is a registration fee to become an Associate: thereafter an annual fee is payable to maintain active membership.

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Organising your studies:

To study successfully, every student needs to be committed to their work, to be prepared to read carefully and think about what is being read. Study is not simply a matter of reading something and copying it out before forgetting it. The key to success is to be able to put into use the information presented and to be able to call it up readily in their minds as future situations arise.

Before you start:  

Choose a quiet and comfortable place to study Ensure there is good lighting

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Collect all the materials you need - paper and pens if you do not use a computer - text books, course work book, notes already made Prepare a drink and biscuits to avoid breaking off while reading/writing Ensure the family knows that this is your study time and that you are not available other than for emergencies.

Plan your time: 

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Distance learning means that you need to organise your own study time rather than attending class at a specified time: this needs a disciplined approach so that other events do not distract you Start by setting aside a time of day which best suits you Keep planning simple!

Work in the way that best suits you - for some students this will mean reading the course workbook and each of the essential textbooks before writing any notes or submissions. Others will find making notes as they read useful.

Sometimes it is helpful to stick Post-it notes on sections of text which are relevant to the topic being studied Sometimes distance learning can seem lonely: keep in mind that your tutor is available to help you, and make use if possible of the message boards available to students on the College web site http://groups.msn.com/animalcarecollege

There is considerable satisfaction in researching and completing the writing of your essay. Keep in mind things will not always go to plan.

Be adaptable, accept there may be interruptions and sometimes you will need to do further reading or research. Avoid being discouraged if you find you fall behind. If necessary talk to your tutor and ask for additional time, although students should complete their course within a 2 year period to avoid incurring further charges.

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Planning your submissions:

A Unit of work at Levels 1 and 2 represents about 30 hours work, while a Unit of work at Level 3 usually represents about 60 hours work. Generally it should take between 4-6 weeks to complete, but 7

the College acknowledges some students may require longer, especially if in full time employment. A request for an extension of time is always granted.

In most cases your responses to the questions set at the end of each unit of work will be required in essay form. Sometimes you will be encouraged to present your work as a table, or with illustrations, diagrams and/or graphs Often no length is indicated, and this is to allow you to write in the way most comfortable to you. Where a specific length is indicated, then you should ensure that you stay within these parameters Read the question carefully, and ensure that you include within your essay all the points you consider important and relevant to the question. The submissions set are specifically worded so that your work will show the level of your knowledge and understanding.

Many students will find making notes useful, which can then be extended to essay length.

Sometimes it is useful to put aside your completed essay for a day or two, and then re-read it. Often any omissions or errors will then jump out at you.

Keep in mind that your submissions should be in your own words.

You may use small quotations from text to support your views, but avoid including large quantities of text as this does not demonstrate your understanding of the topic and you will gain no marks for this.

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Using resources:

Internet – If you have access to a computer, then there is much information to be found on a huge range of topics. A word of warning here: anyone can put information on the Internet, but this does not necessarily mean it is accurate, so think carefully about what you read and whenever possible crosscheck the information by reference to other sources.

For those without computers at home, most libraries now offer free use of computers within the library.

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You may have the name of a site you wish to access – in this case you simply type it into the blank window on the screen, and press search (or enter depending on the particular search engine in use).

You may well find yourself faced with pages and pages of information, so researching in this way may result in a good deal of time being spent at the computer. Often there will be topics listed which are not relevant to your research, so take a little time to sift through what may be useful and valid, and what is not.

If you have no particular site in mind to search, then simply type in a brief description of what you are seeking, and press search or enter.

Here again you will often find many titles, which you can explore further, or many pages relevant to the topic you have entered.

If you are working at home, you will be able to print out relevant information for future reference. This is not always possible in the library, though some do have printers available.

If you have a computer, but no Internet connection, it may be possible to purchase a memory stick to which you can download material at the library, and upload it onto your computer at home. It is worth asking if this is a possibility.

Library – Your local library may prove to be an excellent source of information for you. You will find the majority of library staff are knowledgeable, and are willing to help you to find what you are seeking. Note also that your local library may be able to obtain books from another branch on a system called “inter-library loans”, or even “out of county” loans when the book is not available from any library in your own county. A small fee is payable and it may take some time for the book to arrive, but it is an inexpensive way to gain access to more expensive texts.

If you live near or within a large town or city then you will find a Reference Library, which will have a significantly wider range of research facilities.

However, quite often students will find that relevant books are few and far between, or may have to be returned quickly. For this reason it is far better, whenever possible, for the student to purchase 9

recommended books. They may well prove to be a valuable source of information for many years to come.

Books – Most courses delivered by the Animal Care College will provide the student with a reading list. This will usually comprise of Essential Reading (exactly what it says – this will provide the student with a wide range of information to enable him/her to write the required essays). It will also include Recommended Reading – this is secondary reading that will also provide much useful information relevant to the course being taken. There may also be a list of ‘Other Reading’ – this is given for the student who wishes to read widely about and around the topics under discussion in the course .

Note too that many books have good reference sections at the back, so if you are particularly interested in a topic, these references can be used to source further information on a wide variety of topics.

Keep in mind that some books do still contain rather outdated information in parts, though other sections may be extremely useful.

Reading widely and taking reputable modern courses will allow you to come to your own conclusions on a wide range of topics.

Magazines and newspaper articles: There are several dog and cat related monthly magazines available, as well as several which relate to other domestic and wild species. It is certainly worth subscribing to one or more of these, or ordering from the local newsagent. (Examples: Dogs Monthly, Our Dogs, Dogs Today, Your Dog, Your Cat, Cat World and others).

Daily and local newspapers often carry information and stories relating to dogs, cats, horses, and other species, which may be of use to the student. It is useful to get in the habit of clipping and filing which items for future reference.

Television programmes: Take a few minutes each week to check through the week’s listing of television programmes. There are many excellent veterinary programmes relating to all kinds of animals, both domestic and farm, a wide range of programmes on different animals, dog training programmes, and canine behaviour programmes. Some will contain useful information for the student,

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others not, but each will broaden understanding of how animals live, think, behave, and relate to one another, and to humans.

For students who are studying Canine Psychology, Dog Training Class Instruction Certificate, Canine Behaviour Counselling, and Behaviour Modification are strongly advised to sit in on training classes in their own locality whenever possible. A great deal can be learnt from observing others (sometimes what not to do as well as what to do!). Some courses will actually require the student to do this and to report on their findings, but any student keen to work with animals will benefit from watching others.

As a matter of courtesy to the instructor, it is wise to make yourself known, explain that you are studying, and ask permission to sit in on classes. The majority of good trainers will be happy to help and you may gain much useful insight into training methods and canine behaviour.

For those students who are studying Dog Breeding and Judging courses you will need to attend local and championship dog shows and we would advise all our students to try and attend Crufts, for at least one day during the four day show.

Most courses indicate ways in which students should gain practical experience and you should see these elements as vital to the successful completion of your course. Of course, many will already be working within the animal care sector.

Referencing Your Work In Level One courses it is acceptable simply to list after each essay the books or other resources you have used. Students who are not familiar in referencing work may like to use the suggestions outlined below.

In Level Two and Three courses it is essential to reference your work clearly, so that your tutor is able to see the scope of your research. You may either give the source of your information in a footnote at the end of the page on which it appears, or you may give this information at the end of each essay.

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If you use a quotation from a text to illustrate a point you are making, it is essential that you attribute this to the author. You can do this by inserting a number in brackets adjacent to the quotation, and then listing each number at the end of your essay with the following information, as an example: (1) Book: Pryor, Karen (2002) Clicker Training for Dogs, Ringpress Books, chapter 2, page 28. You may abbreviate chapter to ch. And page to p. Or, you may put the title of the book followed by the author’s surname and year in brackets as follows: Clicker Training for Dogs, ch.2. p.8 (Pryor, Karen 2002). Either form is acceptable.

(2) Paper: Wells, D & Hopper, P (2000) Prevalence of Behaviour Reported by Owners of Dogs Purchased at an Animal Rescue Centre. Appl.anim.Bech.Sci.69:55-65) Similarly if you are using information from a video or DVD, this should be named.

If you have obtained information from the Internet, then you should indicate the person or company that has provided the information you are using. If there is no named person or company, then you should give the name of the site on which you found the material.

Presenting Your Work Your work may be presented in typed form, or handwritten. If it is handwritten, make sure that it is legible – it is very easy to allow enthusiasm to run away with your hand, and your writing to deteriorate into an illegible scrawl.

Please leave room in the margin at the left for your tutor to indicate the paragraph to which their comments apply.

First and foremost, read the question carefully. This may sound very basic advice, but it is easy to glance quickly at a question and think you have taken it all on board, only to find later when your essay is returned by your tutor that you have missed out part of the question.

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You may find you understand the question more clearly if you write/type this at the head of each essay. This may also help you to ensure that you respond to the entire question – many marks are lost if only part of a question is answered.

If you are at all unsure about the meaning of a question, your tutor will be happy to answer your queries. If you telephone, please ensure that you contact your tutor during the times stated on the letter of introduction that is sent to you with your first unit of work.

Number your pages, and put your name and the question number on EACH page. Much time may be lost in attempting to sort work out which has not been numbered correctly or have been placed in the wrong order.

Your responses should normally be in essay form, unless of course the question specifically asks for notes, or for some work to be presented as a table.

Use your own words whenever possible. This demonstrates your understanding of the topic much more clearly when you do so. This is not always possible in some instances when using technical terms for which there is no alternative.

When you have completed your essay, take time to read it through carefully.

Your essays should be comprehensive, but should concentrate on the question asked. Try to avoid writing outside of the question. No word count is usually indicated, but you should ensure that your essay demonstrates your knowledge and understanding of the topic. Check carefully that you have included all the points you consider essential to the question, and that you have explained your reasoning.

Use a dictionary or a spell check: Although the Animal Care College does not deduct marks for incorrectly spelt words (unless they are integral to the understandings of the subject under discussion, we expect you to spell technical terms correctly for instance), taking time to check your spelling does improve the clarity of your work.

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7.

Special Studies:

Many of the courses require a Special Study to be completed, and students often query what is actually required. A Special Study is an essay written on a topic of the student’s choice that is relevant to the course of study. It can be researched by book study, through personal experience, or by carrying out a survey among owners or carers, members of a dog training class or the general public. The choice of topic is wide, but generally speaking a Special Study should include an Introduction, comments or a report on your findings, and a conclusion (a definite conclusion may not always be possible). It may include illustrations, photographs, graphs, or simply text.

Appropriate lengths of Special Studies: Level 1 a Special Study should be approximately 2,000 words.

Level 2 it should be approximately 2,500 words.

Level 3 it should generally be approximately 3,500 words.

(An A4 printed page usually consists of approximately 500 words.)

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Grades:

Submissions are graded A to D. Students achieving a Grade D will be asked to research further and rewrite their submissions in order to achieve a passing grade.

Grade C indicates a satisfactory level, but with some errors or omissions, and evidence of relevant reading Grade D indicates a fundamental lack of basic knowledge of the topics, with a number of errors or omissions, and evidence of limited reading.

Courses that have OCN accreditation require Grades B and above to achieve an OCN award.

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9.

Appeals Procedure:

There is a formal Appeals Procedure, which allows a student to refer any disputes to the College’s Advisory Board. Where this occurs, the student’s work will usually be submitted to another tutor specialising within the same field for rereading. Amendments to grades may occur, or the tutor may of course agree with the original grades awarded. The Studies Co-ordinator will then make an initial decision.

If the matter remains unresolved, then it will be directed to the Awarding Body for a final decision.

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Your Tutor:

Your completed unit of work should be sent to your Tutor at the address you have been given. Please note the following:     

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Your name should be on your work Pages should be numbered Your work should be presented in ONE A4 size plastic folder/wallet You should enclose the label provided completed with your name and address for the return of your work.

Ensure your envelope has the correct postage, and please do not use Recorded Delivery or Registered delivery - tutors are not always at home to receive mail and this causes considerable delays.

Please telephone your Tutor for advice at the times you have been given.

All Animal Care College tutors are well-qualified specialists within their particular field of interest, and all will have practical experience as well as academic qualifications. For example, a tutor in canine behaviour will have experience in dog training and in behavioural work, while a tutor in kennel management will have experience of working in and managing large boarding kennels. Copies of the Curriculum Vitae of all tutors are available from the Registrar at the College.

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Your work will normally be returned to you within 14 days - but please bear in mind that tutors do go on holiday, and that most will attend seminars or workshops at different times of year. Delays do sometimes occur.

If your tutor has an email address and/or fax number, this will also have been given to you.

Keep a photocopy of your work if you do not have it saved on a computer - some occasionally get lost in the post

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In conclusion:

Your tutor will make comments on your work, either on your script or in a separate assessment sheet. These comments are given to help you pinpoint areas in which you have done well, and areas in which perhaps you need to undertake some further study. They are a critical analysis of your work based on approved Assessment Criteria for each course.

The Animal Care College was set up to help anyone wishing to further their knowledge of animal care and management, behaviour, and training. The Studies Co-ordinator, the Registrar, and all tutors wish you success in the course you have undertaken, and are always willing to discuss any queries or to answer questions relating to your chosen course of study.

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