Learning in this module will be facilitated through a combination of lectures and demonstrations followed by hands-on practical activities. There will be a mix of group and independent work, both in-class and through directed study as an extension to timetabled sessions. The emphasis will be on the acquisition of a diverse range of study skills and learning will be monitored through your response to short tasks in order that you can gain frequent prompt formative feedback.
Activities will typically include the following:
Library induction and introduction to study skills
Time management
• Group tutorials and critiques with formative feedback
• Individual tutorials
• Managing self-directed study
• Research methods
• Information retrieval demonstrations & workshops
• Harvard referencing and avoiding academic misconduct (including plagiarism)
• Writing skills workshops (including note-taking, reports, essays, traditional and new media correspondence
• Reflective practice, critical review and evaluation
• Action panning and target setting
• Presentation skills workshops, including traditional and digital methods

Students will have access to lecture and workshop space, computer and library resources. University learning resources are available on campus and online via the university website.

http://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/libraryresources

ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Assessment 1 - (20%) Project Plan A short written proposal for a research project on a theme associated with your chosen creative industry, with defined timescales and project deadlines ( 500 words). [Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4]

Assessment 2 - (80%) Report. A fully referenced written research report on the subject proposed in assessment 1 (1,500 words). [Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4]

Final Assessment: Assessment 2

Formative assessment -
Participation in group discussions about different research and communication methods, and the differences between different forms of written communication, including report writing, technical document writing, essay styles, email communication and social media. Participation in technical workshops for the creation of an online resource.

This module is designed to give you the tools you need to carry out your studies and remain on target with your work, whilst always planning for success. The module is designed toprepare you for your course ahead by helping you to develop academic research and writing skills. This will include learning how to design and plan research projects, organise resources and present information.

The module covers two areas. he first deals with being able to select suitable material to then further research and write about whilst the second area focuses on working at an appropriate academic level using the correct format for written work and presentations.

Throughout your course you will be expected to use particular styles of written, verbal and visual presentation when delivering your work, so this module helps you do this in a range of ways. Everything you do in this module will be placed in the context of your chosen creative subject and will relate to the industry. The module will allow you to explore and practice a range of writing forms. You will learn the differences between report writing, formal essays, technical documents, social media, email, application letters, etc. and why they should be used for different purposes and audiences. You will be expected to contribute to group discussions on written communication, have examples of different styles and keep notes on the appropriate form of communication so that you will be able to use the style most suited to the work you are carrying out, both whilst studying and later in a professional environment.

You will also be able to explore a range of study skills in order to enhance your progression through the course and develop practical skills suited to working in the industry. Research methods will form a core part of the module. You will plan and undertake a short research project on a theme associated with your chosen creative industry so that you can apply research methods and gain feedback from tutors to help you develop your writing and study skills.


You will explore the best and most appropriate methods for communicating your ideas to your intended audience. This will include learning how to write using Harvard referencing, the university’s chosen referencing style, and helping you to understand the importance of referencing for evidencing wider reading and research.


You will be encouraged to evaluate your own understanding of your work, and your responsibilities relating to your learning, as this will become increasingly important as you progress through the course. This approach is usually called reflective learning and can be a powerful way to analyse and continually enrich your learning experience and professional development.

The other strand of the module will equip you with the tools you need to present yourself effectively in terms of your knowledge, skill and creative output, via both traditional methods of presentation and appropriate online platforms. These might include a Powerpoint / Prezi presentation, an e-folio, a website incorporating a video show reel, or a social media presence. The format will be relevant to your chosen creative subject and the audience you are intending to reach. Your tutor will guide you regarding the most appropriate method.

A presentation of your online platform will be part of the module and you will be expected to talk about your options, and justify your choices with regards to content, format, technical and design decisions.

It will be necessary to carry out a substantial amount of work in your own time, and you may draw upon a wide range of sources for the assessment material, including information from your workplace and personal experience.

Audience Dialogue (Unknown) Learning Journals [online] Available from
http://www.audiencedialogue.net/journal.html
Bell, J. Waters, S. (2014) Doing your Research Project: A Guide to First Time Researchers. Open University Press
Bell, J. Waters, S. (2018) Doing your Research Project. McGraw Hill Book Company
Cottrell, S. (2017). Critical Thinking Skills. Red Glove Press
Cottrell, s. (2019) The Study Skills Handbook. Red Globe Press
Drew, S. Bingham, R. (2016) The Guide to Learning and Study Skills for Higher Education and Work. Routledge
Moon, J. (2013) Reflection in Learning and Professional Development. Routledge
Smith, Mark (2013), ¿Keeping a learning journal. A guide for educators and social practitioners ¿, the encyclopaedia of informal education. [online] Available from http://infed.org/mobi/writing-and-keeping-journals-a-guide-for-educators-and-social-practitioners/

Staffordshire University Online Resources
Academic Skills Guides:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/infoservices/learning_support/academic_skills/
Harvard Referencing Guide:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/infoservices/learning_support/refzone/harvard/index.jsp

1. IDENTIFY AREAS OF INVESTIGATION TO SUPPORT YOUR STUDY, AND ACCESS A RANGE OF INFORMATION SOURCES. INTERPRET INFORMATION, EVALUATING ITS USEFULNESS IN RELATION TO YOUR INTENTIONS.
[Enquiry]

2. MAKE SOUND JUDGMENTS IN ORDER TO ACCESS AND TRANSLATE INFORMATION, AND DEMONSTRATE SKILLS REQUIRED TO PRESENT KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS TO AN AUDIENCE USING APPROPRIATE METHODS.
[Learning]

3. USE WRITING METHODS TO CONVEY THE RESULTS OF YOUR WORK ACCURATELY, RELIABLY AND WITH STRUCTURE AND COHERENCE. USE DIFFERENT FORMS OF VERBAL AND VISUAL EXPRESSION IN WAYS THAT SUIT DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND AUDIENCES.
[Communication]

4. DRAW UPON A RANGE OF RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION PROCESSES AND SKILLS IN ORDER TO PRESENT INFORMATION IN A SUITABLE FORMAT.
[Application]