Course Title: Apply essential further study skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2018

Course Code: GEDU5990

Course Title: Apply essential further study skills

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4344 - Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study)

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

Angela Borrelli 51.2 angela.borrelli@rmit.edu.au

Jane Collins 51.2 jane.collins@rmit.edu.au

 

Jacqui Cheng 51.2

jacqueline.cheng@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 essential 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


The outcomes described in this unit relate to:

The ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings) descriptors for Reading and Writing. They contribute directly to the achievement of ISLPR Reading 3/3+ and Writing 3/3+
 

and

the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of Reading and Writing competence at Level 4


Details of Learning Activities

This unit is part of Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study) which is an integrated program. This means that you will study this unit with two other units on the same day. Your program consists of Face to Face teaching and Directed Study. Your program will have a minimum of 8 hours Directed Study per week. You are not required to attend to complete Directed Study, however 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.  An outline of your Directed Study is published each week in the Weekly Program Delivery Plan.

The competency will cover basic skills in learning strategies, analysis, critical thinking, research and academic writing for tertiary study.

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.

You will be taught research and analytical skills over a wide range of texts relevant to the study context.

You will:
• read, analyse and review complex texts for appropriateness in a further study context.
 

In a variety of writing activities, you will improve your academic skills and learn how to use different writing styles theat are appropriate for your study context.This will include essays, research reports, lab reports, proposals, critques. You will:
• take notes from a range of complex texts
• learn to locate and record references used
• learn about research, essay and report writing
• learn to plan, draft and proofread your work.
• construct formatted texts for study purposes
• become familiar with academic discourse
The revision of important grammatical structures will be incorporated into each activity.

Verbal communication skills necessary for Collaborative learning will be explored
 


Teaching Schedule

 

Course Dates:

17 July – 24 November 2017

Mid-Semester Break:

Monday 25th September – Friday 6th October 2017  

Public Holidays:

Melbourne Cup Holiday Tuesday 7 November 2017

This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program.This unit is taught with VU21511 (LANG5801) Read and write complex texts for research purposes  and VU21512 (LANG5797) Read and Write Complex Texts for Further Study.

It is Cluster 1 - Analyse, Read and Write Complex Texts, Essential Further Study Skills.

 

Week

VU20746 Apply further study skills

 

VU20746

Elements

VU21511

Elements

VU21512

Elements

1

 

Orientation/Administration: Skills Survey, my RMIT, Blackboard
Learning lab - study

Diagnostic Tasks
 Collaborative learning

Introduce Assessment Task 1: Group summary

Group work

Writing Focus: Topic Sentences and structure

Reading Tutorial

E1

E5

E2

E1

E2

2

Preparation for  essay: read & take notes from a range of texts

Model essay- deconstructed

Writing Focus: Paragraphs

Unity and Coherence

Learning Strategies and Contexts

Research

Reading Tutorial

Introduce Assessment Task 3: Expository Essay

Compulsory Excursion

E1

E2

E5

E1

E2

E3

E1

E2

3

 

Learning Strategies and Contexts

Writing focus:

  • Paraphrasing

In text referencing

Reference list

Research

Collaborative learning

Assessment Task 1: Group summary

Group work

 Reading Tutorial

Introduce Assessment Rubric

E1

E5

E1

E2

E3

 E1

E2

E3

4

 

Writing focus:

  • Paraphrasing
  • Synthesising
  • Summarising

Harvard Referencing

Reading Tutorial

E3

E4

E5

E1

E2

E3
 

E4

E1

E2

E3

5

 

    

Assessment Task 3: Exposition Essay Plan

 Reading and Writing Focus: Direct Quotes and In-text referencing

 

Grammar Focus: Complex Sentences

Reading Tutorial
E3

E4

E5
 

E1
E2

E3

E4

E1

E2

6

 

Exposition Essay draft 

Peer editing using rubric

Assessment Task 3: Exposition essay draft submitted to Turnitin

Reading Tutorial

E3

E4

E5
 

E1

E2

E3

E4

E1

E2

E3

7

 

Assessment Task 3: Exposition Essay due submit through Turnitin

Library Tour: Database research

Essay structure

Block/point by point

Model essay deconstructed

Reading Tutorial

E3

E4

E5
 

E1
E2

E3


E4

E5

E3

E4

8

 

Argumentative essay assessment introduced

Argumentative essay structure:

  • Paraphrasing
  • Synthesisng
  • Summarisng
  • Referencing

Writing focus: reporting verbs

 Reading Tutorial

 

E3

E4

E5
 

E1
E2
E3

E4

E5
 

E1

E2

E3

E4

9

 

 


Argumentative essay skills

Research

Reading Tutorial

Revision of paraphrasing, summarising & direct quotes (how to punctuate and correctly reference)

Proof reading and editing

E1 E1


 

 

E1

E2

E3

E4

10

 

Compare Essays vs Reports:

Collaborative learning

Groups organised

Group work

Content, language , structure

Research Report topic focus

Reading Tutorial
E5 E5 E1

 

E3


 

11

Assessment Task 8: Argumentative essay draft

Peer editing using rubric

Research Report

*Find relevant journal & newspaper articles using databases

*Find books or ebooks using the RMIT Library catalogue

*Record reference details

*Read and Writing Focus Model Report Structure

*Synthesis

Reading Tutorial

E5 E5

E1

E2

E3

E4

12

 

Reading and Writing Focus: Paraphrasing

Findings (section of Report)

Research Skills

Reading Tutorial

Assessment Task 8: Argumentative Essay submitted through Turnitin

 

E5

E1

E2

E1

E2

E3

13

Do research for report assessment task:   

Findings (section of Report) 

Interpreting non verbal data, graphs statistics

Discussion

E2

E5

E1

E2

E4

E1

E2

14

Reading and Writing

Focus: discussion (section of Report)

Undertake a  review and edit research report

E2

E5

E1

E2

E3

E4

E5

E2

E5

15

Focus: Introduction (section of Report)

Focus: Abstract (section of Report)

Peer editing using rubric

Assessment Task 12: Research Report draft due

submit through Turnitin

 E2

E5

 E3

E4

E5

E3

E4

16

Assessment Task 12: Research Report due -

edit & proofread & submit report through Turnitin

E5

E3

E4

E5

E3

E4

17 Review of academic reading and writing skills

E1

E3

 

E2

E1

E2

E3

E4

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

The Program is made up of:

  • Orientation
  • Learning Activities
  • Mid semester interview
  • 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 not set texts in this course but it is recommended that you bring:

  • Display folder with plastic sleeves
  • Highlighter pens
  • Notebook or loose leaf paper in folder
  • Headphones
  • Dictionary/thesaurus
  • Laptop computer


Overview of Assessment

This course is part of a full-time integrated program. 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. You may be assessed by notetaking, summaries,essays and research reports and groupwork. 

Feedback:

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester, in both oral and written form, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.

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 manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

The Student Charter www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-education/supporting-learning-and-teaching/student-charter/ summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT University student as well as the responsibilities of the university.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which can be found on the RMIT University website at: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1


Assessment Tasks

Summative assessments:

 

Assessment Task 1: Group Summary (Week 3)

You will be placed in group. Each group will write a summary on a given topic.

Assessment task 3: Exposition EssayDraft (Week 6); Final  (Week 7)

You will research, plan and draft an expository essay.The draft will be submitted via Turnitin. The final essay will be submitted via Canvas

Assessment Task 8: Argumentative EssayDraft (Week 11); Final  (Week 12)

You will research, plan and draft an argumentative essay.The draft will be submitted via Turnitin. The final essay will be submitted via Canvas.

Assessment task 12: Research Report Draft (Week 15) ;  Final (Week 16)

 

This task takes place over several weeks and involves researching a current issue. It involves group research using academic texts and writing an individual report identifying the genre, the key facts and discussing the research. The group research involves group meetings and minute taking and academic research using a variety of text types and summarising.

The draft will be submitted via Turnitin. The final essay will be submitted via Canvas
Formative assessments: ongoing observations, summaries and review of student work

 

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

 


Assessment Matrix

 Assessment Matrix
Each assessment cover sheet 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. To sucessfully complete this unit you will need to demonstrate that you are competent in each element of the unit/subject on at least two occasions.


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
Your course involves participating in face to face classes. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to successfully complete this course.

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 Consideration www.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