Module FOUN0371: KEY SKILLS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Department: FOUNDATION YEAR [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0371: KEY SKILLS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Study Skills and IT and Developing Critical Analysis.

Aims

• To develop a toolkit of key skills for study.
• To provide holistic support for students' current studies.
• To prepare students for future studies in the sciences or teaching.
• To develop reflective practice.
• To develop critical analysis.
• To make students confident, competent and comfortable in using basic and more advanced information technology in the context of academic and workplace environments.

Content

• This module will provide the opportunity for students to develop their key skills in IT, communication, use of number, working with others, reflective practice, problem solving and critical thinking, through structured activities and self-diagnostic exercises. many of the activities will be linked to study of current scientific issues such as global warming or genetic engineering, to enable students to apply knowledge of chemistry, biology, physics and maths in different contexts.

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion the student will be able to:
• Understand and make productive use of:
• -File management software.
• -E-mail software.
• -Library databases.
• -World wide web.
• -Word processing software.
• -Spreadsheet software.

• On successful completion the student will be able to:
• Use practical skills in the creation of:
• -Word processed documents.
• -Spreadsheets.

• By the end of this module students will:
• Be able to communicate effectively both orally, visually and in writing.
• Be able to apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data.
• Have demonstrated an ability to work with others.
• Improved their own learning and performance through reflective practice.
• Be able to demonstrate problem solving skills.
• Be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills.
• Be able to use IT confidently and competently.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students will develop their key skills through a range of structured individual, group and whole class activities. Many of these activities will belinked to material on current scientific issues, giving students the opportunity to practice applyinh their knowledge from chemistry, biology, physics and maths and to develop skills in critical analysis.
• Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own learning; identify strengths and weaknesses; and structure some of their own future learning through self-diagnostic exercises and completion of a personal learning portfolio. This process will be supported and assessed through individual tutorial interviews.
• All key skills will be assessed through activities within the personal learning portfolio. In addition, the development of skills in working with others and in visual communication will be assessed through the production of a group poster. The devlopment skills in oral and visual communication will be assessed through a presentation and the development of writing skills, problem solving skills and critical thinking will be assessed through the production of an essay.
• Basic IT, is skills based learning requiring step by step explanation and instruction. This approach is adopted in lab sessions through the use of detailed booklets and practical demonstrations. IT skills assessment will be through formative exercises and an in-course test.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Self-diagnostic tests, exercises or formative activities will be set on a weekly basis.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University