Module FOUN30120: Information Technology and Study Skills for Postgraduate Study and Research

Department: Foundation Year

FOUN30120: Information Technology and Study Skills for Postgraduate Study and Research

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• Students will:
• Develop a diagnostic and tailored approach to the social worker field/discipline
• Possess enhanced confidence, through the delivery of appropriate professional and academic skills
• Develop an awareness of knowledge as a flexible and practical resource
• Be highly competent in the use and understanding of Information, Data Processing, Statistical and Presentation Software in the context of presentations, study and research
• Initiate independent research and sustain a project, based on individual initiative and/or research in a variety of field situations

Content

• Information Technology skills
• Study Skills and Research Methods

Learning Outcomes

• Have an understanding of the rigor in research and how to apply it.

• Be able to create a range of documents with a structure and referencing method relevant to the content.
• The ability to organise and conduct analysis of numeric, factual and statistical data through the use of relevant software.
• The ability to produce documents (ie. essays, reports, spreadsheets, databases and computer-based presentations) created with a structure and referencing method (where appropriate) relevant to the content and method of presentation.
• The ability to present and argue, within the academic expectations of the course, a scenario related to good practice within the field/discipline.
• Be able to produce evidence via a reflective journal in which themes like team and group work are recognised and understood.

• Be confident in writing an essay and a report.
• Be able to communicate clearly and effectively in a variety of written and oral forms.

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

• Research and study concepts will be introduced within tutorials.
• Presentation, organisational, and group work skills will be taught and then reinforced by a requirement to prepare and present class projects.
• IT skills will be developed via web based (DUO) tutorials and formative assessments using emulations, scenario-based and multiple choice questions plus the option of class based tutorials using detailed course booklets and practical demonstrations.
• Independent learning will be facilitated through the requirement to prepare and present class projects.
• Research and study skills will be developed by the requirement to produce a portfolio of written (research-based) work plus one essay.
• Overall IT competency will be tested via a time-constrained in-class assessment
• The appropriate use, referencing structure and understanding of Information, Data Processing, Statistical and Presentation Software will be assessed in two ways: 1) marking the Study and Research Skills portfolio in the context of appropriate IT use and standards; 2) marking the research and study skills presentations in the context of appropriate IT use and standards
• Student learning outside of formal teaching sessions will occur through project/portfolio/essay preparation involving both library and internet research.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None.

■ 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