Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module PSYS1071: BASIC IT AND STUDY SKILLS FOR PSYCHOLOGY

Department: Psychology (Applied Psychology) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

PSYS1071: BASIC IT AND STUDY SKILLS FOR PSYCHOLOGY

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to C810

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Advanced IT and Study Skills for Psychology

Aims

  • To make students confident, competent and comfortable in using basic and more advanced information technology in the concept of academic and workplace environments.
  • To encourage teamwork in students and reflection on the learning process.
  • To provide skills in writing and referencing and in the use of library and other resources for obtaining information in psychology.

Content

  • This module provides IT skills which are of use for academic study and a future workplace environment.
  • Each session consists of practical demonstrations with supporting teaching materials that reinforce and expand the topics covered in the sessions.
  • It also provides a background to skills, useful in studying at undergraduate level, including reflection on the learning process, presentations within a group setting and the use of information sources for compiling knowledge relevant for psychology.
  • Assessment is by in-course assessment and assignments.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On successful completion the student will be able to understand and make productive use of computer software for basic tasks such as email, word-processing and the creation of simple spreadsheets.
  • They will be able to use these practical skills in the creation of documents, bibliographies and spreadsheets, for example, producing an annotated bibliography of a topic within psychology.
  • They will be able to produce a reflective journal of learning experiences and to make short presentations of work within a group setting.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students will be able to collate bibliographic information in Psychology.
Key Skills:
  • Students will be able to organise information.
  • Students will acquire basic skills in IT, word-processing and the presentation of information.

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

  • 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.
  • Skills assessment will be through formative exercises and skill-specific summative assessments.
  • Creative use of IT will be tested via assignments based on academic study.
  • Study Skills is managed through group projects and team exercises.
  • Individual reflection is assessed by the requirement to keep a journal.
  • Skills in information collection are assessed by construction of a bibliography on a topic within psychology.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Tutorials - IT 18 Weekly 2 hours 36
Seminars - Study Skill 10 Fortnightly 2 hours 20
Self Study 36
Preparation and Reading 108
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: IT - Assignment Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
In-course assessment 2 hours 100%
Component: Bibliography assignment Component Weighting: 10%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Bibliography assignment 100%
Component: Software assignment Component Weighting: 5%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Presentation software assignment 100%
Component: Web publishing assignment Component Weighting: 15%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Web publishing assignment 100%
Component: Journal Component Weighting: 17.5%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Study skills - reflective journal 100%
Component: Group presentation Component Weighting: 7.5%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group presentation 100%
Component: Group project Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group project 100%

Formative Assessment:

IT - written and PC based exercises accompany most lab sessions: There will be a voluntary "streaming" assessment early in the course. Students passing to the required standard will transfer to the Advanced Information Technology and Study Skills module. To pass the assessment students would normally be required to obtain 50% or greater in the following sections: file management: library databases: email: world wide web: the responsible use of computers: they would also normally be expected to achieve a mark of 70% or greater in word processing and the use of spreadsheet software. Study Skills - Time management.


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