This year's Academic Skills course will run from Wednesday 11 June to Wednesday 23 July 2014.
Classes will take place every Wednesday between 9am and 4.30pm and will be held at Edinburgh University's Central Campus. Outside of scheduled classes we will make regular use of the information, resources and activities on this course site (which we're currently updating).
The main purpose of the course is to introduce you to the learning strategies and practical approaches to study that will help you to make a smooth transition into, and through, higher education. To this end, we will cover the following topics, each of which is vital to achieving success within degree-level study
We will explore these topics through a combination of interactive lectures, tutorials, practical activities, library research, and independent study, including making frequent use of online materials. The Academic Skills course is compulsory for all Summer School students and carries the same weighting (in terms of admission to university) as all other courses. There will be two assessment exercises, as follows:
Prior to completing either of the assessment exercises, there will be regular opportunities to participate in exercises and receive feedback in a risk-free setting. Furthermore, a team of Student Tutors (undergraduate students drawn from a range of universities and subject areas) will be present each week to offer advice and encouragement.
If you have any questions about the Academic Skills course, please feel free to email james.lamb@ed.ac.uk.
Otherwise, we looking forward to seeing you in class on Wednesday 11 June.
James Lamb and Alice Smith, Course-Coordinators
Classes will take place every Wednesday between 9am and 4.30pm and will be held at Edinburgh University's Central Campus. Outside of scheduled classes we will make regular use of the information, resources and activities on this course site (which we're currently updating).
The main purpose of the course is to introduce you to the learning strategies and practical approaches to study that will help you to make a smooth transition into, and through, higher education. To this end, we will cover the following topics, each of which is vital to achieving success within degree-level study
- Finding academic resources
- Critical and analytical thinking
- Discussion and presentation skills
- Using feedback
- Academic writing
- Presenting evidence
We will explore these topics through a combination of interactive lectures, tutorials, practical activities, library research, and independent study, including making frequent use of online materials. The Academic Skills course is compulsory for all Summer School students and carries the same weighting (in terms of admission to university) as all other courses. There will be two assessment exercises, as follows:
- a 1500-word individual essay on the subject of feedback within higher education (worth 50%)
- a scenario-based team project concerning transition to higher education, culminating in a 15-minute presentation of recommendations (worth 50%)
Prior to completing either of the assessment exercises, there will be regular opportunities to participate in exercises and receive feedback in a risk-free setting. Furthermore, a team of Student Tutors (undergraduate students drawn from a range of universities and subject areas) will be present each week to offer advice and encouragement.
If you have any questions about the Academic Skills course, please feel free to email james.lamb@ed.ac.uk.
Otherwise, we looking forward to seeing you in class on Wednesday 11 June.
James Lamb and Alice Smith, Course-Coordinators
