Overview

This module focuses on appropriate means of communication in academic study and provides the foundation in computing and IT skills you need to enable you to succeed in your undergraduate studies. It will familiarise you with the conventions of spoken and written academic discourse, and help you learn how to avoid plagiarism and other examples of poor academic practice.

This module focuses on appropriate means of communication in academic study and in addition provides the appropriate foundation in computing and IT skills to enable students to be successful in their undergraduate studies. Students will become familiar with the conventions of academic discourse and writing and learn to avoid plagiarism and poor academic practice.

During the module students learn how to use the computer keyboard, a printer linked with their computer and the Windows interface with more confidence. They become familiar with and develop their understanding and knowledge of the uses of the key Microsoft Office programmes – Word, Excel and PowerPoint – and are shown how these might be successfully used in academic studies, in particular in the presentation of written work and in the preparation and delivery of oral presentations.

Students are taught the most effective ways to search the internet for information and also taught the need to evaluate it properly. They are shown how the computer can be an important tool in aiding their development as independent learners.

Students are also taught how IT can contribute to the learning process and provide a range of ways of communicating information between student and teacher and within the teaching group, whether this be via e-mail, the University’s VLE or social media.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold (40-49% / D- to D+): Student has demonstrated a sufficient knowledge of IT and its application to studies and a basic facility with appropriate software packages to allow the minimum level of pass for progression onto an undergraduate degree programme.

Satisfactory (50 – 59% / C- to C+): Student demonstrates reasonably comprehensive coverage of learning outcomes, indicating generally accurate understanding, based on lecture material and some core readings. Some gaps in knowledge and/or understanding evident.

Good (60-69% / B- to B+): Student has demonstrated a sound, basic knowledge of IT and its application to studies and is able to use appropriate software packages with a moderate degree of fluency. The student’s achievement shows him or her as clearly able to cope with the demands of undergraduate study.

Excellent (70% + / A- to A*): Student has shown a strong level of competence in her/his use of IT within the context of studies and uses appropriate software packages with a high degree of fluency. The student’s achievement shows a strong suitability for study at undergraduate level.

Learning Outcomes

• Show familiarity with the University's referencing system and demonstrate an awareness of what constitutes good academic practice

• Undertake research using internet search engines

• Use Microsoft Excel to create simple spreadsheets in the context of academic studies

• Use Microsoft PowerPoint to create, format, edit and deliver presentations

• Use Microsoft Word to create, format, edit and save documents

• Use the VLE, e-mail and social media as learning and communication tools