Module FOUN0461: PREPARATION FOR STUDYING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Department: Foundation Year [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0461: PREPARATION FOR STUDYING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide students with a grounding in study skills and their supporting technology.
• To provide students with a background to British academic conventions and expectations.
• To prepare students for future undergraduate study at a British university.
• To provide students with a grounding in library and research skills.

Content

• Study of standard Microsoft packages including MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Study of DUO.
• Study of how to use online library catalogue and search tools.
• Practice of library research tasks.
• Study of time management techniques.
• Study of co-operative learning and team participation.
• Study of referencing, citation and bibliographic writing.
• Study of the academic writing process (note-taking, planning, drafting, proofreading).
• Study of exam techniques.
• Support for UCAS application preparation.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
• have a basic understanding of the concept of plagiarism and how to avoid it (SK1).
• have a basic understanding of referencing styles (SK2).
• have a basic understanding of time management techniques (SK3).

• By the end of the module the student will:
• be able to use MS Powerpoint appropriately (SS1).
• be able to communicate effectively in class (SS2).
• be able to work in a group (SS3).
• be able to reference a piece of work appropriately (SS4).
• be able to construct a bibliography (SS5).
• be able to produce written work in an academic style (SS6).
• be able to use study skills such as note-taking and mind-mapping (SS7).
• be able to use the library to perform simple research tasks (SS8).
• be able to use online information resources (SS9).

• By the end of the module the student will:
• be able to demonstrate basic IT skills (KS1).
• be able to communicate effectively in writing (KS2).
• be able to demonstrate problem solving skills (KS3).
• have improved their own learning and performance (KS4).

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

• Theory, initial concepts and research techniques will be introduced during seminars and practical sessions.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured IT practicals, group work, discussions and library assignments during tutorials and students' own time.
• Although some assessed work is done in groups, students are graded individually.
• Learning outcomes for study skills will be assessed throughout the teaching block in a portfolio of written work including: Individual bibliography leading to group essay, a group essay, a group presentation and a reflective learning log. There will also be an examination.
• Assignment 1 will assess: SK2, SS8, SS5, KS4, SS9.
• Assignment 2 will assess: SK1, SK2, SK3, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4.
• Assignment 3 will assess: SS2, SS3, KS1, KS4.
• Assignment 4 will assess: SK3, SS1, SS7, KS2, KS4.
• Exam will assess: SK1, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, KS2, KS4.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Fortnightly formative tasks.

■ 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