Course Title: Apply essential further study skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: GEDU5990

Course Title: Apply essential further study skills

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3308 - Certificate III in General Education for Adults

Course Contact: Baia Tsakouridou, Bloss Robertson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4488

Course Contact Email: baia.tsakouridou@rmit.edu.au, bloss.robertson@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Jacqui Cheng 51.2.2 jacqueline.cheng@rmit.edu.au

Tim Morris 51.2.2

tim.morris@rmit.edu.au

Marcelle Damicoucas

marcelle.damicoucas@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 90

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this unit of competency you will be introduced to skills and knowledge required to prepare to enter tertiary study . The competency will cover basic skills in research and the analysis of tasks in a tertiary study context.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU20746 Apply further study skills

Element:

1 Use a range of learning strategies
 

Performance Criteria:

1.1 A range of popular views about learning are compared
1.2 A range of learning strategies are defined
1.3 The main learning contexts that may be experienced in a tertiary learning environment are considered
1.4 Learning strategies are used for a range of learning contexts.
1.5 Individual strengths, weaknesses and preferences in the use of different learning strategies in different contexts are considered.

Element:

2 Use a range of library and online sources to access information
 

Performance Criteria:

2.1 The main services of a library are described
2.2 The range of sources for obtaining information in a library are identified
2.3 Appropriateness of information is assessed.
2.4 Accurate records are made and stored appropriately

Element:

3 Use effective reading strategies for complex texts
 

Performance Criteria:

3.1 A range of academic reading strategies are described and applied
3.2 The significance of context for the meaning of a text is identified and discussed
3.3 Techniques for note-taking, summarising and synthesising information are applied,5
3.4 Text structure, technical vocabulary, wording and syntax are used to assist interpretation of meaning
3.5 Dictionaries and other references are used to assist interpretation of texts

Element:

4 Use academic writing skills to produce complex texts
 

Performance Criteria:


4.1 Main features of different academic texts are identified
4.2 Main phases of the academic writing process are identified
4.3 The significance of audience and context are reflected in the conventions of academic writing
4.4 Appropriate citation is used for references and quoted work
4.5 Academic standards on plagiarism and collusion are observed

Element:

5 Participate effectively in collaborative learning
 

Performance Criteria:

5.1 The key features of collaborative learning are identified
5.2 Characteristics of effective collaborative learning are described
5.3 Verbal, interpersonal and participatory skills necessary for effective learning collaboration are used.
5.4 Appropriate planning processes are negotiated with fellow students to achieve agreed outcomes


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competence of the above elements. The outcomes described in this unit relate to the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of Reading and Writing competence at Level 5:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Programs/LitandNum/ACSF/Pages
 


Details of Learning Activities

 

Learning Activities:

This unit is part of Certificate III in General Education for Adults which is an integrated program. This means that you will study this unit with other units on the same day. Your program consists of Face to Face teaching and Directed Study. You are expected to complete all work given and will at times be required to show evidence that the work has been completed in this unit. Your program will have a minimum of 8 hours Directed Study per week. You are not required to attend classes to complete Directed Study. It is a very important part of your program and we ask that you do a total of 4-5 hours on your non attendance day and at least 1 hour each evening to cover all the units in the program. An outline of your Directed Study is published each week in the Weekly Program Delivery Plan.

The Weekly Program Delivery Plan is a detailed outline of what activities you will be undertaking in each session on a weekly basis. You can access this via Blackboard (Mystudies) on the first day of each teaching week.

This unit covers in part the reading and writing macro skills addressed in the whole certificate.

RESEARCH

In a variety of writing activities, you will improve your academic skills and learn how to use different writing styles that are appropriate for your study context.You will:

  • take notes from a range of complex texts 
  • locate and record references used  in Harvard referencing style
  • plan, draft and proofread your work. 
  • develop skills in group work 
  • plan a group activity
  • write and present an oral presentation
  • write a reflection
  • become familiar with academic discourse 

 

The revision of important grammatical structures will be incorporated into each activity.


 


Teaching Schedule

This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program. This is Cluster 2 - Apply Essential Study Skills. The assessment tasks will also cover other units within the course.

Course dates:

6 February - 9 June 2017

Public Holidays:

Labour day Holiday Monday 13 March 2017

anzac Day Holiday Tuesday 25 April 2017

Mid Semester Break:

Thursday 13 April - Wednesday 19 April 2017
 

Week

 VU20746 Apply further study skills

Elements

Week

  1

 

 

Introductions

weekly plans

Induction booklet

RMIT city campus orientation-campus and
online

Course presentation requirements/student expectations

Reading/writing comprehension activity (newspaper article)

Introduction Assessment Task 2:Research and Presentation-Charity
 

1

3

 

Week

   2

 

 

Online resources- MyRMIT/Learning Lab/Blackboard

Review critical reading skills- online

Research a charity of your choice online

Introduce academic posters

1

2

3

Week

  3

 

Continue charity research

Plan, preparer your Charity academic poster

Research HOMIE- Homelessness of Melbourne and prepare for an interview

Group-plan a morning tea

1

2

3

4

5

Week

  4

 

Critical reading, note taking and summary writing

Guest speaker/note taking- Nick Pearce, HOMIE

Group- undertake Morning Tea

Introducing Reflective writing styles

1

2

3

5

Week

  5

 

Presentation of Academic posters

Charity Morning tea

Assessment Task 2:Research and Presentation- Charity due   

1

4

 

Week

  6

 

Bibliographies and reference lists- Harvard style

Intext citations- Harvard style


           

1

2

4

Week

  7

 

 

The importance of Editing and proofreading

Library orientation lesson and activities

Reading and comprehension group activity

 

1

2

3

5

Week

  8

 

 

 Mid semester interviews   

 

5

Week

  9

 

 

Reading and comprehension group discussion activity-newspaper      

Research articles for report

 

1

3

5

Week

  10

 

 

 

4

5

week

  11

 

Edit and proof read report in pairs

 

4

5

week

  12

 

Introduce Assessment Task 10:Group Research and Presentation

Oral presentation skills

Preparing a presentation

1

2

3

Week

13

 


Great public speaking  

Using PowerPoint or other visuals

Successful group work

1

4

5

Week

  14

 

Group choice/Topic choice

Research topic

Group planning meeting

Review synthesizing imformation

Harvard citations review
        

1

2

3

5

week

  15

 

Ggroup presentation meetings


Practice presentation sessions

4

5

Week 16

 

Assessment task 10:Group Research and Presentation DUE

including peer evaluations and self reflection

4

5

 

 

**The teaching schedule maybe subject to change. Students will be advised via Blackboard and in class should changes occur.

The course will be delivered weekly. The times will be outlined in the weekly delivery plans which are updated each week.

Your program is made up of:

  • Orientation
  • Learning activities
  • Mid semester review
  • Guest speakers
  • Excursions
  • Exit review

All students will be inducted. The induction includes:

  • Induction Booklet and presentation
  • Explore RMIT activity
  • Orientation to RMIT Libraries


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

There are no set texts in this course, but it is recommended that you bring:

  • • Dictionary
  • • Thesaurus
  • • Display folder with plastic sleeves
  • • Highlighter pens
  • • Notebook or loose leaf paper
  • • Headphones (use your own or they can be purchased from the Carlton Library very cheaply)
  • • USB (Memory stick)
  • laptop


Overview of Assessment

 You must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of the competencies in order to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Assessment tasks will require you to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through practical projects and/or written tasks.

Feedback:
Both verbal and written feedback will be provided throughout the semester, as well as individual and group feedback on practical exercises.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more
An assessment charter http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc


Assessment Tasks

Assessment will take place throughout the course. Your work is assessed on a competent (CA)/not yet competent (NYC) basis – it is not graded. You will be given written feedback on all assessment tasks. There will be individual and group projects completed both in and out of class.


Assessment is ongoing and its purpose is to develop your skills. You will be given assistance in redrafting and editing written assessment tasks because developing your ability to identify and correct your own mistakes is an important part of the learning process. It is important that you read the specific elements each assessment task addresses on the cover sheet for each task. At the time of setting assessments you will be given clear guidelines about which course, elements and performance criteria you will need to meet in order to successfully complete the task. Submission dates & deadlines will also be clearly explained.


Summative Assessment tasks:

Assessment Task 2: Research and Presentation- Charity. Due: Week 5

This purpose of this task is to develop individual research skills and to foster key skills for successful group work. It requires individual research, group participation, planning & decision making, conducting charity morning tea, developing and presenting an academic poster. 
 

Assessment Task 8: Group Research and Presentation. Due: Week 16

The purpose of this task is to develop research and oral presentations skills and to practice skills for successful group work. It requires research skills, group planning and decision making, and giving a group oral presentation.

Formative assessments:

ongoing observations, summaries and review of student work


Please note:Assessments tasks will include other courses (Units of competency) from the program. 

All Assessment tasks should be submitted by the deadline. If an extension is required you must ask your teacher for one before the due date.

Cover Sheets
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of work submitted. The signed cover sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications

 All assessment tasks including electronically recorded student work will be kept by the University for student feedback and to meet government requirements.


 


Assessment Matrix

Each assessment cover clearly outlines the competencies being addressed in the task in relation to performance criteria. The sum of assessment tasks will cover all units and their elements over a range of occasions. You will be given opportunities to demonstrate competency in a variety of ways throughout the program. You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or student co-ordinator. An assessment matrix will be available on MyRMIT. 

 

Other Information

Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required leaning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain competency.

Student Progress

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.

Student program policy www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academicprogress
 

You will be asked to attend mid-semester and end of semester interviews with relevant teachers and Program Co-ordinator. The interviews are an important part of giving you feedback and supporting you through your program by monitoring your academic progress
 

Special consideration policy (Late submissions)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.Extension www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Special consideration is an assessment adjustment for unexpected circumstances that are outside your control, which:
• have a significant adverse impact on your performance in assessment or
• prevent you from attempting or submitting the assessment. Special Considerationwww.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy
www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview