Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)

Module FOUD0237: Entry Preparation for Higher Education

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0237: Entry Preparation for Higher Education

Type Open Level 0 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2013/14 Module Cap None. Location Durham

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 develop students’ personal writing and reflective skills.

Content

  • Use of standard Microsoft packages including MS Word.
  • Use of DUO and associated tools.
  • Consolidation of how to use online library catalogue and search tools.
  • Study of time management techniques.
  • Study of co-operative learning and team participation.
  • Study of autobiographic writing.
  • Support for UCAS application preparation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • 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 time management techniques (SK2).
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module the student will:
  • be able to communicate effectively in seminars and small group activities (SS1).
  • be able to produce written work in different genres appropriate to different tasks (SS2).
  • Be able to use appropriate skills and strategies to avoid plagiarism (SS3)
  • be able to use online information resources (SS4).
Key Skills:
  • 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.
  • Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured IT practicals, group work, discussions and library assignments during teaching sessions and students' own time.
  • Learning outcomes for key skills will be assessed throughout the teaching block in the learning log and the creation of a personal statement appropriate for a UCAS application.
  • Assignment 1 (Diary completion) will assess: SK1, SK2, SS2, KS3, KS4,
  • Assignment 2 (Reflective Essay) will assess: SK1, SK2, SS1, SS2, SS3, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4.
  • Assignment 3 (Personal statement) will assess: SS2, SS3, SS4, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 20 twice weekly 2 hours 40
Praparation and Reading 60
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Reflective Learning Log Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Diary entry completion 25% resubmission
Reflective essay 1500 75% resubmission
Component: Personal statement Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Personal statement 100% resubmission

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