Course Title: Apply essential further study skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2020

Course Code: GEDU6187

Course Title: Apply essential further study skills

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4399 - Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study)

Course Contact: Baia Tsakouridou, Melanie Reynolds

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4488

Course Contact Email: baia.tsakouridou@rmit.edu.au; melanie.reynolds@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Angela Borrelli 51.2.02

angela.borrelli@rmit.edu.au

 

Melanie Kyle 51.2.02

melanie.kyle@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 further study context and reinforce collaboration and study skills.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	VU21881 Apply essential further study skills
Element:	1. Analyse the requirements of tertiary learning environments
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Identify the expectations of the tertiary learning environment  1.2 Determine the main learning contexts found in tertiary learning environments  1.3 Define the main learning strategies used in tertiary learning environments  1.4 Analyse the features, benefits and disadvantages of different learning strategies as they relate to different learning contexts  1.5 Identify the features of the peer review system  1.6 Determine effective personal strategies to maximise learning opportunities
Element:	2. Investigate library services
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Identify the main services of educational libraries   2.2 Identify sources of information available in educational libraries  2.3 Establish broad criteria for assessing information
Element:	3. Use effective reading strategies to analyse complex texts
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Investigate the features and purpose of different academic reading strategies   3.2 Determine the significance of context for the meaning of a text  3.3 Use text structure, wording, syntax and technical vocabulary to support the interpretation of meaning  3.4 Synthesise, summarise and note the main arguments of the text  3.5 Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the text
Element:	4. Produce complex texts
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Identify the main features of types of academic texts  4.2 Analyse the features, purpose and phases of the academic writing process  4.3 Identify the significance of context and audience to academic writing  4.4 Produce a piece of academic writing, including appropriate referencing  4.5 Observe required standards on plagiarism and collusion
Element:	5. Develop collaborative learning relationships
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Identify modes of collaborative learning  5.2 Identify characteristics of effective collaborative learning relationships  5.3 Form collaborative learning relationships with other learners  5.4 Negotiate collaborative learning relationship protocols with other students  5.5 Agree strategies to deal with uneven contributions to collaborative work

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) 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 one other unit on the same day. Your program consists of Face to Face teaching, Online via Canvas and Directed Study. This cluster will have a minimum of 5 hours Directed Study per week (two hours of Directed Study Required and three hours of Directed Study Recommended). 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 Modules section on Canvas. 

This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program. This unit is taught with VU22648 (GEDU6184) Read and write complex texts for study purposes. 

Examples of how you will practise and study the units: 

READING 
You are encouraged to read a wide range of texts relevant to the study context. You will: 

• read academic texts  
• study current issues  
• research skills 

WRITING 
In a variety of writing activities, you will improve your sentence structure and learn how to use different writing styles. This will include extended written responses such as academic essays and research reports. You will: 

• learn to locate and record references used 
• learn about research for essay 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. 

 

COLLABORATION 

• collaborative working strategies 
• learning relationships 

 

All students will have an induction into RMIT. The induction includes: 

• Induction Booklet available on Canvas 
• Orientation to RMIT Libraries 

Teaching Schedule

Course Dates: Monday 6 July – Friday 6 November

Mid-semester break: Monday 31 August - Friday 4 September

 

This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program. This unit is taught with VU22648 (GEDU6184) Read and write complex texts for study purposes. 

 

Week	Topic	Activities	Elements
Week 1	Reading and comprehension	Introduction to CANVAS with Overview of Cluster 1 course: check Syllabus, Assignments, Modules and Induction Booklet Efficient reading strategies Read short story and answer comprehension questions Complete  Learning Activity: Introduce Yourself on Canvas - due Week 2 Introduce Assessment Task 1: Access, Read and Understand Academic Texts	VU22648 E 3 VU21881 E 1
Week 2	Investigate tertiary learning environments	Investigate tertiary learning environments ie. lecture/tutorial/practical/assessment Learn about main expectations of students doing tertiary studies Benefits of peer reviewing or peer evaluations Learning strategies to maximise student learning Note taking skills Assessment Task 1: complete Part 1	VU22648 E 1 VU21881 E 1
Week 3	Investigate RMIT library services	RMIT Library services presentation: main services offered by the RMIT library, main sources of information available in this library & brief introduction to using Library Search catalogue Assessment Task 1: finish Part 2 and submit Parts 1 & 2  to Canvas	VU22648- E 1  VU21881- E 1, 2
Week 4	Read & analyse a range of complex texts	Review academic reading strategies Read & analyse a range of complex texts for the following: context/purpose, structure, language Assessment Task 1:  finish Part 3 and submit to Canvas	VU22648- E 1  VU21881 –E 3
Week 5	Investigate the requirements of academic essays	Introduce Assessment Task 2: Extended Written Response (Essay) Investigate the requirements of academic essays Purpose of academic referencing  RMIT Harvard Referencing skills Start reading texts related to essay topic - provided by teacher Assessment Task 2: complete Part 1 (Appendix 1)	VU22648- E 3    VU21881- E 3, 4
Week 6	Paragraph Writing	Paragraph structure Topic sentences Paragraph unity and coherence Complex Sentences Paraphrasing and summarizing Continue reading texts related to essay topic	VU22648- E 3     VU21881 -E 3,4
Week 7	Research & Evaluating credibility of research	Anatomy of a website Review library research techniques Academic research using relevant websites and/or RMIT Library to find at least 1 new text related to essay topic  Review note-taking, paraphrasing and summarizing Evaluating credibility of research: credibility, bias, currency, suitability Assessment Task 2: complete Parts 2 & 3 (Appendix 2 & 3)	VU22648-E2,3,4  VU21881- E 3
Week 8	Essay Planning	Synthesizing and reporting verbs  Design and create an essay plan How to write an effective introduction  Start writing draft essay  Assessment Task 2: submit Part 4 essay plan for teacher feedback	VU22648- E 3,4 VU21881- E 3, 4
Week 9	Essay Writing	Continue writing draft essay (Assessment Task 2: Part 5) Essay self-editing (use checklist in Appendix 5)	VU22648- E 3,4 VU21881- E 3, 4
Week 10	Essay proofreading & editing	Final essay and editing (Assessment Task 2: Part 6) Draft essay feedback sessions Proof reading, editing and rewriting essay Investigate requirements of academic reports	VU22648- E 3,4,5 VU21881-E4
Week 11	Investigate requirements of academic reports	Introduce Assessment Task 3: Research Report & complete Part 1 - Requirements of an academic report Assessment Task 2: Extended Written Response (Essay) - submit FINAL essay and all required parts of task	VU22648-E1,2  VU21881-E4
Week 12	Report Structure & Language	Report structure and language Review academic references Brainstorm topics for research report Group meetings to prepare for tutorials Research using relevant websites and/or RMIT Library to find at least 1  text related to report topic  Create questions and facilitate a tutorial discussion  Assessment Task 3: complete Parts 2 & 3	VU22648-E2,4  VU21881-E3,5
Week 13	Report Planning	Reading, note-taking and summarizing   Write Findings section of Report  Interpreting Figures & Tables, data, graphs statistics Assessment Task 3 -  Part 4: Plan report	VU22648-E2,3,4  VU21881-E3
Week 14	Report Writing	Review paraphrasing & synthesising Write Discussion section of Report Review in text citations & reporting verbs Review reference lists Assessment Task 3 -  Part 4: write report	VU22648-E2,3,4  VU21881-E3
Week 15	Report Writing	How to write an Abstract & Conclusion Finish writing draft report Review reference lists and in text citations Assessment Task 3: Part 4  Report draft  due and check Turnitin similarity report	VU22648-E2,3,4  VU21881-E3
Week 16	Final Report Writing	Edit and proofread draft report ready to submit to Canvas by the end of Week 16 Assessment Task 3 - Part 5: Edit and write final report	VU22648-E3,4,5  VU21881-E4
Week 17	Assessment re-submissions	Assessment resubmissions; finalise assessment

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT 

There are not set texts in this course but it is recommended that you bring: 

 

• Laptop computer
• Headphones & microphone
• Access to Canvas 
• Display folder with plastic sleeves 
• Highlighter pens 
• Notebook or loose leaf paper in folder 
• Dictionary/thesaurus 
• Canvas app on mobile device 

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 quizzes, notetaking, summaries and short answer responses, essays and research reports and groupwork. 

 

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

 

The Student Charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT university student as well as the responsibilities of the university. This can be found on the RMIT University website at: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/student-responsibilities/student-charter

 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which can be found on the RMIT University website at: https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/governance-and-management/policies/assessment-policy

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1:  Access, Read and Understand Academic Texts - Parts 1 and 2 (Week 3); Part 3 (Week 5)

In this assessment task, students will learn about tertiary learning environments, visit the RMIT Library as well as read and analyse a range of complex texts.  

Assessment Task 2: Extended Written Response (Essay)  - Draft (Week 9); Final (Week 11)

In this assessment task, students will be provided an essay topic which will require students to evaluate the research, take notes from relevant academic texts and create an essay plan before writing and editing an academic essay.   

Assessment Task 3: Research Report - Draft (Week 15); Final  (Week 16)

In this assessment task, students will work in groups 3-4 to plan, research and discuss a complex issue in Australia. Then each student will produce an individual report using the shared research texts. 

 

Formative assessment may also be used: ongoing observations, summaries and review of student work

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

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 successfully complete this unit you will need to demonstrate that you are competent in each element of the unit/subject as assessed in the assessment tasks. 

 
You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or program coordinator. An assessment matrix will be available on Canvas. 

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