Computer facilities to access materials on the web and specialist online databases
Access to Virtual Learning Environment- BlackBoard
Access to appropriate texts and journals

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (28 hours)
24 hours of face to face tuition - Study Skills lectures

These face to face sessions will introduce/revise the skills of academic wiring at this level of study and help you to progress or revise your skill. Sessions will include writing skills, research skills (using the library, VLE and Internet) and presentation skills. You will also be introduced to the concept of analysis of sources to allow you to make decisions about the efficacy of sources used.

Tutorials

This module will be supported by tutorials with personal tutors who will ascertain individual starting points and facilitate group learning around study skills

Guided Independent Study: (122 hours)
This will include locating sources on the Internet and practicing IT and paper based activities.
Developing academic skills including identifying, locating and analysing topic related literature
Producing essay plans using a variety of techniques. You will also practice the skills taught in class by writing and rewriting parts of essays to hone skills.
Assessing and developing time management strategies and trying methods for managing time efficiently.

This module provides an introduction to study and research skills that are necessary for you to succeed with study at undergraduate level.

It seeks to provide you with:
An understanding of study skills and the required academic conventions used in academic writing. This will include the skills required for formal writing, how to structure assignments and meet learning outcomes successfully and how to cite evidence to support your answers.

You will also develop an awareness of quantitative and qualitative research methods and the methods used to discern between accurate, authoritative sources and flawed sources.

You will also learn how to locate and utilise information from academic sources in relation to Social Work and Social care study and practice, including using libraries and technology to enhance learning. You will be introduced to the use of our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as this will form a key part of your learning on any undergraduate programme.

Aveyard, H. (2015) A Beginners Guide to Critical Thinking and Writing in Health and Social Care. 3rd. Maidenhead: Open University Press
Bottomley, J. et al. (2018) Studying for your Social Work Degree. St Albans: Critical Publishing
Bottomley, J. et al. (2018) Academic Writing and Referencing for your Social Work Degree. St: Albans: Critical Publishing

Formative assessment: An essay of 1200 words relating to a contemporary Social Work issue of your choice in which you demonstrate a range of academic skills, including writing in a well-structured and academic style, using a variety of academic sources to evidence your argument, these should be authoritative and accurate sources and you will need to include correct citations and a reference list.

Summative assessment: A reworking of the formative assignment (1200 words). You will also produce a reflective account (400 words) detailing the changes you have made in light of your feedback and how this has informed future practice in regard to constructing essays. You should include correct citations and a reference list. (LO's 1, 2 and 3). (1600 words in total).