UOSS 2 Course Aims & Objectives
Aims
The broad aims of University Orientation and Study Skills courses are to:
- enable students to experience and develop learning and academic skills
appropriate for study in a university context.
- facilitate the process of orientation and transition to academic teaching
and learning cultures.
- facilitate the development of confidence in students'
ability to succeed in tertiary studies.
Objectives
University Orientation & Study Skills 2 (UOSS 2) builds on the fundamental
academic skills studied in UOSS 1 throughout the first semester. UOSS 2 focuses
on developing skills in writing and presenting critical reviews and reports.
UOSS 2 will be taught in lecture and tutorial format (two hours per week),
and one hour online.
The UOSS 2 course introduces students to the basic foundations of conducting
research in the social sciences, including:
- Developing research questions to guide research
- Organising research projects
- Searching for and critically reviewing literature (including using the
library and online resources)
- Reading, referencing and the management of information
- Providing an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research
methods
- Discussing ethics and integrity in research
- Analysing and interpreting research findings
- Writing research reports
The academic skills focus will be on undertaking research and writing
and presenting reviews and reports. Each week will be accompanied by a reading
on this particular skill area. Students will complete a small research project
around some of the themes developed in UOSS 1.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes of UOSS 2 will enable you to:
- gain skills in study and time management strategies
- develop independent learning strategies
- develop an understanding of the process of being critical and analytical
in your thinking
- develop critical and reflective learning skills
- learn, interact and work cooperatively with fellow students and experience
the peer learning process
You will develop skills in the following areas:
Study Management
- Planning a timetable
- Coping with being a student
- Managing your time
Research Skills
- Locating and assessing resources
- Interpreting qualitative and quantitative evidence
- Reading critically and reflectively
- Note-taking and note-making
- Using appropriate referencing conventions (Harvard)
Report Writing
- Writing in an academic genre
- Analysing research questions
- Identifying the different sections of a report
- Planning and drafting a report and critical review
- Using qualitative and quantitative evidence
- Editing, revising and redrafting your written work
Oral Presentations
- Planning and presenting in tutorials
- Use of voice and body language
- Use of audiovisual aids
- Managing discussion
- Preparing handouts
- Team work
Online learning
- Accessing information
- Assessing information
- How to participate critically and responsibly in online learning
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