scholarly journals Step Up to Masters

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Daniel John Pullinger ◽  
Jiani Liu

The article in question introduces research conducted by the Learning Development Team at the University of Leeds on the academic literacy skills development needs and expectations of taught postgraduate students, and the subsequent creation of an innovative new online resource, Step Up to Masters. As well as focusing on key topics highlighted by the research, the resource encourages students to reflect on their individual development priorities and to select the most relevant support options for their successful transition to taught postgraduate (PGT) study. The rationale behind this reflect and select approach has been informed by a synthesis of (a) the outcomes of key studies on the diverse needs and challenges faced by PGT students when making the transition to Masters study, and (b) the team’s own research findings on PGT students’ academic development priorities and preferences. Step Up to Masters received the Digital Award for Information Literacy 2020, and was central to the online PGT induction programme initiated at Leeds for 2020/21 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Rushton ◽  
Alison Lahlafi

The paper is jointly written by an academic and librarian and discusses the value and impact of two examples of cross professional collaboration at Sheffield Hallam University. The collaborations addressed information and academic literacy skills development of 640 students across four years and involved a librarian, an academic, an academic skills tutor and an e-learning expert. The paper includes analysis on the value and impact of cross-professional collaborations in developing student information literacy (IL) and academic literacy skills. It concludes with discussion of lessons learned and best practice recommendations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Klomsri ◽  
Matti Tedre

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is increasingly used in Tanzanian education. Knowing how to operate ICT alone is incomplete without knowing how to use it as a tool for organization, communication, research, and problem-solving. In recognition of this challenge, information literacy (IL) has been identified as a key attribute to students as they progress through their learning paths. Based on a mixed methods strategy, using questionnaires and focus group discussions, this study measured the level of IL skills among University of Dar es Salaam’s (UDSM) postgraduate students, to gain insights into the students’ perceptions and experiences with information problems. A total of 102 students from four institutions answered the online questionnaire and 22 students participated in six focus group discussions. The questionnaire scores of the students were poor in the majority of IL categories, suggesting ineffectiveness of the current IL training in imparting IL knowledge and skills. The study ends by discussing recommendations to improve current IL practices at the university.


Author(s):  
Kemi Ogunsola ◽  
◽  
M.A Adesakin

Information communication technologies (ICT) offer opportunities to young people through guided education and skill acquisition, which in turn lead to youth's self-sustainability, and employment. Despite the immense contributions and benefits of ICT to economic development and reduction of unemployment, there is a little overarching investigation regarding the factors affecting ICT skills development among students in the University of Ibadan. This study investigates how individual characteristics and social learning modelling factors influence ICT skills development among postgraduate students in the University of Ibadan. The study adopted a survey research design. Data were collected from a sample of 398 postgraduate students. Frequency counts and percentages, Chi-square test, Spearman's rank correlation, and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. Three research questions were answered and three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that individual characteristics and social learning modelling factors jointly influenced the ICT skills development of postgraduate students (F (9, 388) = 9.488, P<0.05). The study showed that students recognise that ICT skills are required to succeed in today’s world and are deemed necessary for employment. The respondents expressed interest in developing ICT skills to boost their employability. They also felt that the university management is obligated to provide training on ICT skills. Based on this, the study recommends that educational institutions and the government should implement effective policies for students to acquire sufficient ICT skills. The study also recommends that ICT skills development programmes should be incorporated into academic programmes of universities in Nigeria. Keywords: Information and Communication Technology, Digital Literacy, ICT Complementary Skills, Nigeria, Postgraduate Students, Ibadan, University.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-101
Author(s):  
Jill Dealey

Active learning, with students engaging in research or activities within the community, is a favoured approach in contemporary higher education. To support this approach, the Criminology and Forensic Studies programmes at the University of Winchester have included student research into miscarriages of justice. The students interrogate evidence from a criminal trial to attempt to establish if there has been a wrongful conviction. This article discusses the importance of this work for students of Criminology. It considers the contribution to the learning experience of the range of opportunities available to undergraduate and postgraduate students and evaluates the potential impact on curriculum and learning development during the degree programme, in addition to the benefits for future employment.


2012 ◽  
pp. 182-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Moore

The role of learning advising in improving the educational outcomes of students for whom English is an additional language (EAL) in Australian universities has received significant attention in recent years. A combination of research findings, governmental pressure and media scrutiny has provided renewed impetus for universities to address issues of language proficiency and academic literacy amongst the growing population of onshore international students for whom English is an additional language (EAL). In this paper, I discuss the role of academic language and learning advising in the Australian university context, including how this practice is influenced by a range of political, pedagogical and practical factors. In doing so, I draw on Carson and Mynard’s (2012) analysis of the aims, practices, skills, locations and discourses of advising in language learning to explore how the two fields might inform each other.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34
Author(s):  
Kobra Mansourizadeh ◽  
Ummul K. Ahmad

Citations are important rhetorical devices that when properly and strategically employed, allow writers to promote their current research findings persuasively and efficiently. As knowledge construction is progressive and cumulative, specifically in scientific disciplines, it is evident that acquiring skills for adequate and effective application of citations is essential for success. Scientific writers are required to possess advanced academic literacy skills in order to ably position their study within the framework of existing knowledge, and strategically employ citations to advance the acceptability of their research findings. This paper endeavors to propose materials for teaching the rhetorical functions of citations in advanced academic writing courses. The tasks are designed specifically to raise students’ awareness of citation norms, especially in their own specific disciplines. Since the practice of citing the work of others ethically is highly challenging for emerging research writers, materials suggested in this paper can be beneficial to instructors who are involved in developing advanced discipline-specific writing courses, or short-term academic writing workshops.


2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 277-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Lahlafi ◽  
Diane Rushton

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss a collaborative initiative between a module leader, librarian and academic skills tutor to support information and academic literacy skills development of a group of international students from a partner college in Malaysia during their three-month study visit to Sheffield Hallam University. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores the transferability of active learning and teaching techniques used with second-year home students to a cohort of final-year international students. It discusses the development, implementation and assessment of learning workshop activities and the use of mobile phones in the classroom to enhance student engagement. Findings – The embedded active learning and teaching techniques used with second-year home students transferred well to the international student cohort. At the end of the module, international student feedback and reference list analysis suggests that the embedding of both information and academic literacy skills within modules does support student development of these skills. Mobile technology proved both enjoyable and engaging for the students. Originality/value – The paper’s findings are transferable to other international student cohorts in UK higher education libraries and suggest ways of engaging students in information and academic skills workshops and supporting their skills development to achieve academic success.


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