Library
IT resources including Power point
VLE - Moodle
Core texts
Study skills CD Rom

Creme, P. & Lea, M.R. (2006) Writing at University: A Guide for Students, (2nd Edition). Open University Press: Buckingham.
McMillan, K. & Weyers, J. (2006) The Smarter Student Skills and Strategies for Success at University. Pearson Prentice Hall: Harlow.

(a)Students will be required to commit to 48 contact hours involving a variety of whole group, small group and individual activities. The teaching strategy will employ a range of methods including lectures, presentations, library and learning resource centre visits and IT sessions. Peer group discussion will allow students to share ideas and experiences and will encourage reflection and evaluation and there will be the opportunity to gain valuable formative feedback during practice presentations and role play. Practical examples and demonstrations of the use of referencing and presentation techniques will be used and peer observation and feedback will be encouraged.
(b) The 252 hours of independent learning will be filled through guided reading from core texts, preparation for class activities e.g. role play and presentations, building up of portfolio of evidence and the students' self assessment of their own skills.

Formative Assessment:
A series of formative exercises will run alongside the weekly lectures which will provide opportunities for students to develop their understanding of the skills and concepts being introduced. Formative feedback will also be provided on the development of the portfolio and report.

Summative Assessment
Portfolio 50% (LO1 & LO2)
To include:
- Self assessment
- Personal development plan
- Reflective statements
- Evidence of developing critical thinking skills
- Examples of completed ICT tasks
- Examples of developing academic skills including academic writing, accessing sources and referencing
- Evidence of developing communication skills

Illustrated Report (1,500 words) 50% (LO3)
Produce an illustrated report that traces the development of an identified community and demonstrates the identification, collection, assessment, interpretation and dissemination of appropriate information, research and evidence.

Both pieces of work must include reference to academic sources and be referenced in the Harvard style.

This module introduces transferable methods and skills essential to a range of individual, academic and employment sustainable community contexts. Students will have the opportunity to reflect upon how they learn and complete tasks designed to improve their learning performance in both study and professional practice. They will be supported as they learn how to assess and interpret information in a variety of formats and encouraged to consider the value of developing innovative, interactive and inclusive communication skills to support the creation and maintenance of sustainable communities. The module will include:

- Self assessment, reflection and action planning
- Study skills: literacy skills, academic writing, referencing and citation
- Communication skills
- Using library services and ICT to identify and retrieve good quality information
- Introduction to research methodologies, data collection methods and ethical issues
- The nature of evidence: becoming a critical thinker
- Organising and managing time
- Disseminating information: word processing, email, PowerPoint, presentation skills

Students will be required to apply their learning in this module by producing an illustrated report documenting the nature and character of a community and its progress towards sustainability.

Crucially, this module will also introduce the ethical considerations of research and the essential need to safeguard vulnerable people at all times during learning, research, projects and work-based learning. These include gaining informed consent from participants, confidentially, the right to withdraw, data protection and briefing and debriefing. All work will be subject to Staffordshire University's ethical approval process as appropriate.

Bedford D and Wilson W, 2006, Study Skills for Foundation Degrees. David Fulton Publishers: London
Bell J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project, Open University Press: London.
Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook (3rd Ed) Palgrave Study Guides: Hampshire.
Cottrell, S. (2005) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. Palgrave Study Guides: Hampshire.
Moon, J. (2006) Learning Journals: A Handbook for Reflective Practice and Professional Development, Routledge: London.