IF0ACA-Academic Skills
Module Provider: International Study and Language Institute
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2017/8
Module Convenor: Miss Jane Ward
Email: j.e.ward@reading.ac.uk
Summary module description:
The module aims to help students develop their study skills in order to be successful on the International Foundation Programme and as undergraduates.
Aims:
The module aims to help students develop their study skills in order to be successful on the International Foundation Programme and as undergraduates.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
•produce written work which is well-organised, relevant and makes use of appropriate terminology and academic style.
•demonstrate good academic writing skills
•prepare and deliver an oral presentation
•identify problems, apply their knowledge and skills in finding solutions and evaluate these solutions.
•interpret and analyse a range of information beyond mere description.
•make good use of IT as required (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, email and the internet).
•work as a member of a team by cooperating with others, negotiating, listening to others in the group, sharing responsibilities/tasks and meeting deadlines.
Additional outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that students should be able to:
- use a variety of resources for the purpose of independent study.
- use their time effectively, meet deadlines, reflect on their progress and set targets.
Outline content:
Key Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills session presents an essential introdu ction to transferable skills. The session provides a framework of strategies which will enhance organisation and efficiency in academic encounters.
Academic Culture
The Academic Culture session has been designed to assist students in coping with the process of acculturation involved in the transition from secondary to higher or further education.
Essay and Report Writing
The Essay and Report Writing session provides an introduction to the process of academic essay writing. Focusing on structure, organisation and academic register conventions, students who follow this course will be supported in the process of title analysis, arrangement of key information and the creation of effective introductions and conclusions.
Scientific Writing
The Scientific Writing session teaches s tudents how to structure and organise writing for scientific purposes. The session is also useful for students who need to describe charts and graphical material as a result of both primary and secondary research.
Team Working
The Team Working session shows students how to optimize the group work experience for the purpose of achieving collaborative goals.
Presentations
The Presentations session familiarises students with the process of researching, structuring and delivering an oral presentation by using market-leading slideshow software.
Research & Referencing
The Research and Referencing session navigates students through the essential skills of identifying appropriate supporting statements and acknowledging expert opinion obtained from a range of sources. Students' attention is drawn to the key features of direct and indirect quotation in addition to the leading conventions for preparing a reference list.
Avoiding Plagiarism
The Avoiding Plagiarism session provides guidance in the mechanics of plagiarism avoidance and gives students practical strategies in avoiding academic misconduct through inappropriate usage of secondary sources.
Critical Thinking
The Critical Thinking session trains students in the evaluation of knowledge claims and provides student's with the necessary tools to identify fact from conjecture. It also gives students a tool box with which to evaluate their own work and to detect bias in others.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A series of tutorials and workshops. Students are required to complete a series of four assessments which take place in their academic modules. These assessments are in the following areas: team-working, problem solving, academic and report writing, and presentations. Assessments will commence in the Autumn term. However each student's assessment schedule will differ according to the configuration of modules for which they are registered. Please note that the details of assessments given in the contact hours section is only an indication.
Summative Assessment Methods:
| Method |
Percentage |
| Written assignment including essay |
25 |
| Report |
20 |
| Oral assessment and presentation |
25 |
| Class test administered by School |
30 |
Other information on summative assessment:
Module assessed by coursework only.
Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Requirements for a pass:
40%
Reassessment arrangements:
By examination in August/September.
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:
Last updated: 31 March 2017