BSc Education / Course details

This unit aims to prepare students for academic study, research and assessment through exploring a range of academic conventions for researching, processing and presenting ideas and information, particularly in relation to online and digital sources and tools.

This unit aims to prepare students for academic study, research and assessment through exploring a range of academic conventions for researching, processing and presenting ideas and information, particularly in relation to online and digital sources and tools.

The unit will consist of:

• Tutor facilitated sessions (whole group)

The sessions involve tutor presentations, discussions and group work about study, research and writing skills. Students are expected to be prepared for the sessions, attend all sessions except when emergency prevents, and take an active part in discussions and group work.

• Group work (online and face-to-face)

Students are assigned to random study groups and work together to identify and research a topic related to a specific education policy or practice.  Each week, the groups provide feedback to each other, discuss and develop academic materials exploring an argument related to the topic, discuss their draft with a tutor and then submit an example of work for assessment.

• Independent study and directed reading

To prepare for and review the tutor facilitated sessions, students review the materials provided on BlackBoard and read from the recommended reading list for the unit and for the sessions. Students also carry out independent study to identify and read materials related to their specific topic.

• Tutor facilitated workshop and office hours

Students attend a workshop and/or office hours and/or book a tutorial to discuss their draft work.

• Tutorial with Academic Advisor

Students book a meeting with their Academic Advisor during the semester to discuss their academic writing and digital study skills.

• Assessment preparation

Guidelines and criteria for assessment will be provided in Session One.

• Formative assessment tasks: Students prepare draft materials to share and discuss with their group and the tutor(s).

On line Via Blackboard

This is an indicative list of some recommended sources providing guidance on academic and digital study skills. You will need to carry out reading relevant to your own topic. Further advice and guidance for your reading will be provided via BlackBoard. To access the links, you should be signed into MyManchester.

Baratta, Alex (2010) Visual writing. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars.

Bowell, Tracy and Kemp, Gary (2009) Critical thinking: a concise guide. 3rd ed. Routledge.

Coats, Maggie (2017) ‘Learning How to Learn’ OpenLearn. The Open University http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3359   

Gillett, A., Hammond, A. and Martala, M. (2010) Inside Track to Successful Academic Writing. Longman Publishing Group. Available at: https://www.dawsonera.com/readonline/9780273727361

Hunter, D. (2011) A Practical Guide to Critical Thinking: Deciding What to Do and Believe. John Wiley & Sons. Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9781118839751 .

Moore, S., Neville, C., Murphy, M. and Connolly, C. (2010) The Ultimate Study Skills Handbook. Open University Press. Available at: https://www.dawsonera.com/abstract/9780335240074

Neville, C. (2010). The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press. Available online: https://www.dawsonera.com/abstract/9780335241040

Sword, H. (2012) Stylish Academic Writing. Harvard University Press. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt2jbw8b

The University of Manchester (2016) My Learning Essentials (study skills support):  http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/using-the-library/students/training-and-skills-support/my-learning-essentials/

University of Manchester Library (2020) Referencing guide at the University of Manchester: Home (online) Jul 7, 2020 11:15 AM. http://subjects.library.manchester.ac.uk/referencing

University of Manchester (2017) Academic Phrasebank.  Available at: http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk

University of Manchester: Guidance to students on plagiarism and other forms of malpractice: http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/guidance-to-students-on-plagiarism-and-other-forms-of-academic-malpractice/

UMSU (2019) Academic Malpractice. (online video): 18 Jan 2019. University of Manchester Students’ Union. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=82&v=rqHXNAmJzqQ&feature=emb_logo