Study Skills for Foundation Degrees offers a step-by-step guide to the skills needed to successfully complete a Foundation Degree. Filled with activities and useful tips, it will help students to move from nervous novice to confident expert and provide them with the necessary tools to accomplish this. By reading this book, students will be able to learn new skills and enhance existing ones.
This third edition has been fully updated and features new chapters on e-learning and dissertations as well as expanded sections on ethics, feedback and referencing. Each chapter includes practical guidance as well as student perspectives that will help students through their course of study. It includes advice on how to support learning, boost motivation and enhance time management, and covers all the essential skills required for successful study, including:
Effective reading and note-taking strategies
Developing oral skills in a wide range of presentation settings, including what makes a good presentation and how each stage of the process can be prepared for
Carrying out well-planned, methodologically sound and well-written research
Preparing for examinations and other forms of assessment
Producing a professional development portfolio or winning CV
Highly accessible, this new edition is an essential resource for all Foundation Degree students who want to get the most out of their course, mature students or anyone with limited or no experience of academic study.
Author(s): Dorothy Bedford, Elizabeth Wilson
Edition: 3
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2019
Cover
Half Title
Title
Copyright
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
About the authors
1 Preparing for foundation degree study
Understanding foundation degrees
Creating a support network of family, friends and colleagues
Preparing a space to study
Some top tips for success
Websites to visit for more information
References
2 Learning as an adult
How do we learn?
Levels of learning
Types of learning
Building on previous experience
Motivation for further study
Managing your morale
Further reading
References
3 Effective reading and note-taking strategies
The learning resources centre
Reading effectively
Making notes
Websites to visit for more information
References
4 Developing your oral presentation skills
Why develop presentation skills?
What makes a good presentation?
Preparation
The presentation
Further reading
References
5 Data collection and presentation
Why collect data?
Deciding what to research
Common data collection techniques
Drawing conclusions from the data
Websites to visit for more information
Further reading
References
6 Effective academic writing techniques - essays
Writing your first essay
Writing for academic purposes
Checklist before submission of any written work
Websites to visit for more information
Further reading
References
7 Effective academic writing techniques - other types of assignments
Writing reports
Summarising practical and project work
Writing short entries
Writing a critical review
Reflective writing
Précis, or the art of writing precisely
Writing a dissertation
Websites to visit for more information
Further reading
References
8 Referencing and avoiding plagiarism
Acknowledging sources of information
Creating your bibliography
The Harvard system
Sources which should be acknowledged
Online reference generators
What is plagiarism and how can it be avoided?
Further reading
References
9 Using technology to enhance your learning
Finding the right search tool
Judging the quality of the information
Organising information using social bookmarks
The importance of anti-virus software and backups
Learning online in the virtual classroom
Creating an e-portfolio
Netiquette — a guide to good communications using technology
Developing your digital skills
Websites to visit for more information
References
10 How to manage your time, handle stress and cope with exams
Practical strategies for managing your time
Ideas for managing stress
Coping with exams and revision
Further reading
References
11 Reflective practice and continuing professional development
Keeping a reflective journal
Producing a professional development portfolio
Personal development planning (PDP)
Websites to visit for more information
Further reading
References
12 Progressing to an honours degree and producing a winning CV
What next? Using your careers service
Further study: how to find the relevant honours degree course
Producing a winning CV: reflecting on your experiences
Now write your CV
Completing an application form
Writing a letter of application
Your next steps on the road of lifelong learning
Websites to visit for more information
Further reading
References
Bibliography
Websites
Glossary
Index
