Contact Hours: (26)
15 hours lectures
8 hours group work
3 hours individual Student activities

Independent study hours: (124)
28 hours accessing world wide web
50 hours reading and library study
40 hours preparing assignment
6 hours groups activities in preparation for group tutorials

1. Develop a range of essential skills for Higher Education (Knowledge and Understanding)

2. Skilled in accessing and using learning and research materials in order to inform own learning development (Learning)

3. Demonstrate and apply a range of these skills to work submitted for assessment (Application)

4. Reflect upon and evaluate own skills in relation to work undertaken and plan changes (Problem Solving, Reflection)

COTTRELL,S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook.4th Ed. Maidenhead: Palgrave.
McMILLAN, K. and WEYERS, J. (2013) How to Improve Your Critical Thinking & Reflective Skills. Harlow: Pearson.
MOORE, S., NEVILLE, C., MURPHY, M. and CONNOLLY, C. (2010) The Ultimate Study Skills Handbook. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

A portfolio of work submitted via Blackboard at the end of the course, which will assess all learning outcomes.
The portfolio will contain:
Materials produced by the student about the course, their learning and study activities from the Blackboard Virtual Learning site.

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:
Formative feedback centred on the development of a plan for their e-portfolio also including a 10minute power point presentation to their peers.

Using library services
The nature of evidence / research - becoming a critical thinker
Study skills: literacy skills, academic writing, referencing and citation.
Introduction to the concept of self assessment and its role in developing own learning for higher education
Becoming a reflective learner
Using information technology for identifying and retrieving good quality information and search strategies. The acquisition and dissemination of information using power point and presentation skills
Organising and managing time to maximise learning opportunities

Library
IT resources including Power point
Blackboard
Core texts

This module is designed for learners that are new to higher education – you will not need to have any prior knowledge of higher education to progress on to the module.You will be introduced to a range of learning strategies to help you learn independently such as searching for literature, developing action plans, academic writing and referencing. By completing activities in the taught classroom sessions and directed online, you will begin to identify your own strengths and weaknesses as a learner and build stategies that you will need to suceed in studying for the future.