SPOR06052 2022 Research Based Study Skills

Develop an independent, self managed, reflective approach to study.

Identify and implement key reading, listening and note taking skills for more effective academic practice

Develop key skills in academic writing, referencing and citation.

Identify critical thinking skills and use them to analyse various texts.

Evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of various sources of knowledge

Identify and demonstrate the key skills of individual and small group oral presentations

The learning strategies are student centred, where active participation and experiential learning are used extensively. Students are encouraged to have a voice and what they say is valued. For many, such an independent approach to learning is an alien experience (Kneale, 2015) and for some this may be disconcerting. Overall the aim is to provide explicit scaffolding and a ‘safe space’ to help structure the transition to learning in higher education, addressing the skills needed for 'doing' independent learning related to higher education.

Students will participate actively in their own learning and have the opportunity to reflect on their learning progress through Continuous Assessment (100%) throughout the semester. Assessments may vary from a quiz, research, essays, referencing and citation, presentation, other. Feedback will be provided on an ongoing basis.

Students will also have the opportunity to reflect on their learning progress throughout the semester through formative assessments such as in class discussions, polls and quizzes.

Learning Outcome Learning Methodology Assessment Method

1. 1. Develop an independent, self-managed, reflective approach to study, whole class discussion, reading, small group and paired activities, learning Journal
2. 2. Recognise the central role of reading, listening and note taking in academic practice, whole class discussion, reading, small group small group and paired activities, learning Portfolio
3. 3. Identify and demonstrate key skills in academic writing, referencing and citation. Whole class discussion, reading, small group small group and paired activities, writing Portfolio
4.  4. Identify and analyse critical thinking skills. Whole class discussion, reading, small group small group and paired activities, Learning Portfolio
5. 5. Evaluate the reliability/effectiveness of various sources of knowledge. Whole class discussion, reading, small group small group and paired activities, Oral Presentation
6. 6. Identify and demonstrate the key skills of individual and small group oral presentations, including using self and peer-assessment based on a criterion referenced assessment, Small group activities, Oral Presentation

Repeat assessments will be developed as appropriate to assess failed elements.

 Learning Strategies

• Active learning and engagement
• Taking responsibility
• Managing time and morale
• Managing stress
• Independent learning
• The purpose of reading for research

Reading, listening, note-taking

• Reading approaches - skimming and scanning
• Reading for precision and relevance
• Listening for overall meaning and specific detail
• Making notes in lectures and from reading - thinking on paper / Cornell System
• Reading habits
• Mind mapping

The Academic Writing Process

• Approaches to writing
• Purposes of writing
• Structuring academic writing - clarity, consistency and cohesion
• Academic writing style
• Drafting and formatting ideas - paraphrasing
• Plagiarism and Plagiarism software/Turnitin
• Referencing – Harvard Referencing System

Critical Thinking

• The value of critical thinking
• Personal strategies and barriers to critical thinking
• Evaluating a point of view
• Supporting arguments and conclusions
• Expressing and supporting personal opinion
• Creating, writing in reflective logs / blogs

Sources of Knowledge

• Accessing a range of sources - written: journals, electronic media, newspapers, chapters.
• Empirical Evidence - reliability and validity
• Contemporary sport / business issues

Presentation skills:

• Preparation, practicing and executing a power point oral presentations.
• Task cards to aid memory
• Effective public speaking skills based on delivery, voice quality, eye contact, posture and confidence.
• Structuring content and making use of visual aids effectively