Module Information
Module Identifier
DS24310
Module Title
Developing Academic and Reflective Skills
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Pre-Requisite
Professional experience in Information field
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Reflective piece 1000-1500 words | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Written Report 2,000-2,500 words | 70% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of, and reflect on, the connection between professional, personal experience/knowledge and academic practice;
Critically assess and evaluate academic and other sources, and identify useful study skills and how to develop them;
Apply academic conventions and style to formal material for assessment;
Reflect on the experience of creating formal content , referring to academic skills and value of prior professional experience and knowledge, and including a response to academic feedback.
Brief description
The module aims to enable students to make the transition to learning at Part 2 undergraduate level by introducing a range of academic practices generic to the social sciences and related specifically to Information Studies.
Aims
The purpose of this module is to provide adult learners starting the BSc ILS with the opportunity to reflect on the relationship between their professional experience in the workplace and developing effective academic skills. It will focus on independent learning, research skills, critical analysis and use of sources. Students will start to develop an academic vocabulary appropriate to the Social Sciences and Information Studie
Content
Introductory sessions and workshops will be followed by material on Blackboard. This will include Learning Styles and Reflective Practice, Critical Reading and Literature Searching, Numerical Skills, Presentation Skills, Report Writing, and Citation Skills. The learning material provided, will focus on examples and models from Information Studies
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Session on numeracy skills and ability to interpret and communicate statistical information |
| Communication | Contributing to sessions – face to face and online. Written skills in assignment Presentation skills in assignment |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Reflecting on learning style, professional experience and relating to developing academic skills |
| Information Technology | Developing searching strategy related to assignment topic Use of Blackboard discussion area |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Reflecting on personal and professional experience and relating to course |
| Problem solving | Evaluating and using sources Creating assignment structure and order |
| Research skills | Research for assignment topic, evaluating sources, summarizing, paraphrasing, using web and databases |
| Subject Specific Skills | Developing understanding of the ‘context’ and ‘ academic language’ of Information Studies |
| Team work | Contribution to discussion areas face to face and online. Identifying sources of advice from workplace |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5