This module is designed to provide students with an introduction to the academic, research and professional skills which are a core component of their degree programme. The module will comprise three linked parts: Academic skills, Research skills and Professional skills. A number of transferrable skills will be developed and students will be expected to demonstrate that they can use these skills across the three components.
Academic Skills: This component will enable students to develop and refine skills for successful study and assessment in higher education. There will be opportunities to become more self- aware and more aware of others and to extend skills such as: communication skills including listening and working in small groups, information searching and gathering; note-taking; critical reading; essay planning and writing; making presentations; managing time effectively.
The Research skills component will provide an introduction to research in the social sciences. Students will be expected to engage with the research literature, evaluate research findings and communicate these findings to different audiences. They will also become familiar with the initial stages of research design such as response rates, ethical issues and sampling.
The Professional skills component will focus on the practical skills necessary to work with children in a professional context in preparation for students undertaking the level I Placement module.