Module Specification

Advanced Digital Acumen

London school of INNOVATION

Module Specification

Advanced Digital Acumen: Master the Digital Economy: Shape Your Future with Precision.


The digital economy is a complex, rapidly evolving landscape, where opportunities and risks coexist in equal measure. This module cuts through the noise, offering you a clear, authoritative understanding of how digital business works at its core. It's designed to give you the strategic perspective needed to navigate the intricacies of the tech-driven world, ensuring you're not just keeping up but staying ahead.

Within this module, you'll dive deep into the heart of technology ecosystems and platforms, demystifying the roles of major players and understanding the fine line between products and services. You'll explore the strategic choices behind technology implementation, examining real-world trade-offs and case studies that highlight the practical implications of these decisions. We also pull back the curtain on the often-hidden politics of the digital marketplace, revealing the commercial agendas that shape partnerships and influence outcomes.

Beyond the technical and commercial aspects, this module prepares you to align your career with your personal values and goals. You'll gain insights into the organisational cultures across industries and learn to match your professional aspirations with the right environments. Whether you're weighing permanent roles versus contracting or considering the trade-offs of generalist versus specialist pathways, you'll come away with a clear, strategic plan for your career, tailored to your unique ambitions and strengths.


Code Number of Credits ECTS Credits Framework HECoS code
DA71 15 7 FHEQ - L7 business information systems (100361)

Learning outcomes

Code Attributes developed Outcomes
LO1 Knowledge and Understanding Apply systematic understanding of digital transformation concepts, including SaaS vs PaaS, and the convergence of product and service models.
LO2 Knowledge and Understanding Critically evaluate the major platforms, vendors, and partnership models in the digital economy, and their hidden commercial agendas.
LO3 Intellectual Skills Critically analyse the trade-offs in career pathways based on organisational characteristics and sector-specific roles to formulate optimal career strategies.
LO4 Intellectual Skills Develop strategic solutions to technology implementation dilemmas, balancing automation, convenience, and compliance with concrete case studies.
LO5 Technical/Practical Skills Adopt advanced problem-solving techniques to evaluate and integrate high-level technology solutions that enhance business capabilities.
LO6 Technical/Practical Skills Design and implement strategic projects that address the complex needs of businesses, considering ERP vs best-of-breed and bespoke software solutions.
LO7 Professional/Transferable Skills Critically evaluate and manage professional development and ethical responsibilities with strategic approaches to career progression within unpredictably complex digital landscapes.
LO8 Professional/Transferable Skills Demonstrate advanced interpersonal and networking skills by collaborating strategically to enhance team performance within complex digital environments.

Assessment Patterns

Weighting Format Outcomes assessed
50% Individual Essay Coursework
This individual coursework requires students to produce an essay based on a specific topic in the module. Its purpose is to evaluate the student's ability to independently interpret a technical question and research, analyse, and articulate their understanding and opinions. It assesses the learning outcomes, in particular, through interpretation, research, critical thinking and writing skills, and also through the ability to form and express coherent arguments.

Students are set an essay title based on a discrete technical area in the module and have to research and write an answer that evaluates the question from competing perspectives, drawing upon appropriate sources. Students must be aware of the learning outcomes of the module in writing their essay as their marks will be based on the extent to which they demonstrate they have met the outcomes. Please see the marking calculation below for further information.

Students will have a workshop in the module on essay writing, in particular, how to analyse, research and structure their essay, and what markers are looking for. The module leader will also provide further support whilst students work on their essay. Students will be shown examples of successful and unsuccessful essays. They will have the opportunity to present their thoughts in class and receive peer and tutor feedback too.

Throughout the programme, students will regularly receive formative assessment tasks and feedback opportunities to gain actionable feedback (from self, peers and staff) on their own work to indicate how to improve future work and learn how to give constructive feedback to other people.
 K LO1
K LO2
I LO3
I LO4
T LO5
T LO6
P LO7
P LO8
50% Invigilated Exam
This is a time-limited and closed-book exam with a mix of multiple-choice and analytical written questions that students undertake during the summative assessment period as scheduled under the School’s remote invigilation conditions to ensure quality and academic integrity.

The exam enables the students to demonstrate their successful attainment of the module learning outcomes, primarily related to knowledge and understanding, and secondarily related to Professional/Transferable Skills.

The analytical written questions will consist of problem questions representing issues and dilemmas students are likely to encounter in professional life and students have to synthesise and apply what they have learnt on the module in order to produce sound and reasoned judgements with respect to the problem.

To enable the students to practice and prepare, various formative assessment activies, including quizzes and a AI-augmented assignments and mock exams are built into the module. Additionally, throughout the course, students will regularly receive feedback on their knowledge and assignments from AI as well as peers and staff to indicate how to improve future work and how to give constructive feedback to others.		 K LO1
K LO2
I LO3
I LO4
P LO7
P LO8

Student workload

Activity Total hours
Introductory lecture 1.50
Concept learning (knowledge graph) 18.00
AI formative assessment 9.00
Case Study Review 9.00
Workshop/Lab Sessions 13.50
Individual or group assignments 18.00
Independent reading, exploration and practice 57.00
Summative assessment 24.00
150.00

Content Structure

Week Chapter Name Chapter Description
Week 1 Digital Economy Dive deep into the digital economy's structure and impact. Uncover how technology shapes industries, influences markets, and drives innovation. Grasp the fundamental forces behind the digital world to make smarter career choices in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Week 2 Tech Ecosystems & Platforms Explore the ecosystems of major tech platforms. Understand the differences between products, platforms, SaaS, and PaaS. Learn how these ecosystems shape business strategies and career opportunities. Develop insight into where you can thrive within these environments.
Week 3 Strategic Tech Implementation Evaluate high-level tech implementation strategies. Analyse the pros and cons of ERP systems, bespoke solutions, and best-of-breed approaches. Understand the strategic decisions behind these choices and how they influence business success and your role in them.
Week 4 Navigating Commercial Politics Uncover the hidden commercial agendas in the tech world. Delve into the politics of partnerships and alliances. Learn to navigate these complexities to safeguard your career interests and align with organisations that match your values and goals.
Week 5 Organisational Dynamics & Culture Examine how sector, size, and maturity shape organisational culture. Understand the impact of these factors on innovation, job security, and career progression. Use this knowledge to identify the work environments where you can excel and advance.
Week 6 Industry-Specific Tech Adoption Explore how different industries adopt technology. Compare tech-product, service-based, and non-tech organisations with heavy IT reliance. Assess where your skills fit best and where you can make the most impact in your career.
Week 7 Career Pathways & Progression Analyse different career pathways, from permanent roles to contracting, and specialist to generalist routes. Understand how each path affects your professional growth, autonomy, and job satisfaction. Strategically plan your career trajectory with a clear vision.
Week 8 Professional Self-Assessment Conduct a deep self-assessment to align your personality, values, and goals with your career choices. Understand your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences to make informed decisions about your professional future.
Week 9 Designing Your Career Strategy Develop a comprehensive career strategy. Set long-term goals and identify the steps needed to achieve your ultimate professional position. Focus on aligning your career path with industry trends, organisational dynamics, and your personal aspirations.

Module References

Type Description
Book Jordan, T. (2020). The Digital Economy. Wiley.

Methods of teaching/learning


Introductory lecture (1.50 hours)

This is the first weekly session, dedicated to providing a comprehensive introduction to the module. The module leader will present an overview of the subject, elucidating its importance within various digital engineering professions and its interrelation with other modules. Students will need no preparation ahead of attending this session.

The module leader will provide a structured breakdown of the content to be covered in the subsequent 9 sessions. Students will also receive an outline of the essential reference materials, alongside suggestions for supplementary reading. The format and criteria for the summative assessment will be delineated, followed by a dedicated period for questions and answers.

A recording of the session will be available to facilitate async engagement for any other student who missed the class, also offering an opportunity to review the content again.


Concept learning (knowledge graph) (18.00 hours)

Our institution's approach to teaching is primarily based on flipped learning. Ahead of each weekly session (Workshop/Lab), students will be required to study the essential concepts that are used in the coming session so they are familiar with the theories and ideas related to that session. The study material will be in the form of written content, illustrations, pre-recorded lectures and tutorials, and other forms of content provided through the AGS.

This content is self-navigated by the students, accommodating different learning styles and schedules, allowing students to watch or listen to them at their own pace and review them as needed.


AI formative assessment (9.00 hours)

Once each concept of the theory is studied, students will be prompted to engage in formative assessment with instant AI feedback. They include multiple-choice questions, socratic questions and answers, written questions, role-play and other AI-assisted practice scenarios.

The purpose of this automated formative assessment is to provide students with immediate feedback on their understanding of module material and highlight any areas that need support or further study. They are also used to track student progress, boost motivation and promote accountability.


Case Study Review (9.00 hours)

In this learning activity, students explore recent real-world case studies relevant to their course topic. The case studies will have been selected and curated by the module leader to represent up-to-date examples. They guide students through key details, contextual factors, and outcomes. This approach enhances students' understanding of current industry trends, challenges, and solutions, preparing them for real-world scenarios they may encounter in their future careers.

The learning experienced will be augmented by AI (virtual private tutor) allowing the students to critically engage with the content and discuss the case studies.


Workshop/Lab Sessions (13.50 hours)

The 9 weekly sessions following the introduction (weeks 2 to 10) will be dedicated to teaching the contents of the module during interactive workshops. These sessions will complement the theory with practice, experience or analysis. Their purpose is to advance the student's cognition from 'knowledge' to 'understand' and 'apply'.

Depending on the nature of the content, challenges and learning activities will be pre-designed to apply flipped learning, and may include hands-on project work, group discussions or debates, roleplay, simulation, case study or other presentation, and other learning activities and opportunities. These workshops present an opportunity to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also encourage collaboration and foster a sense of community among students. There will be an opportunity also for Q&A in every session.


Individual or group assignments (18.00 hours)

Each Workshop/Lab session will be followed by an assignment. Assignments are used to reinforce learning and encourage independent thinking and problem-solving. They help the students identify the gaps in their understanding of the subject and provide them with an opportunity to apply what they have learned in a practical setting.

Assignments can be individual or group-based (teams of 2 to 4). They can take many forms, including essays, presentations, or projects. When they are group-based, teams will be randomly picked by AGS, in order to promote broader teamwork practice. Assignment files will be uploaded to AGS by the students ahead of the next weekly session. Feedback will be provided on each submitted assignment.


Independent reading, exploration and practice (57.00 hours)

This activity challenges students to engage with the reference material and independently explore and analyse academic literature related to the course topic. Students are expected to select relevant sources, practice critical reading skills, and where applicable technical skills, and synthesise information from multiple references. This is an opportunity to enhance research abilities, critical thinking, and self-directed learning skills while broadening and deepening subject knowledge.

Programmes this module appears on

Programme Term Type
1 AI for Business Transformation (MSc) 1 Core
2 Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSc) 2 Optional
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.
Module Spec: Advanced Digital Acumen: Master the Digital Economy: Shape Your Future with Precision. (DA71)