BR3004 - Managing Life at University : Active Research and Academic Skills

At The Bridge you learn through a blended approach where short, focused and interactive face-to-face sessions are underpinned by guided and independent online learning. Your attendance for scheduled activities is monitored regardless of whether you are on campus or joining the session remotely. This ensures you access all of the learning opportunities which have been purposefully designed for your success.

A range of teaching and learning approaches are adopted to accelerate your learning in this module.

During the first week of this module, you will receive information about the module and Teaching & Learning Plan. The teaching and learning plan (TLP) sets out
• Learning outcomes and overall module and programme aims
• Teaching, learning and assessment strategy
• Teaching schedule
• Directed reading references (text and journals) and core texts for the module
• References to data sources and details of lab activities

You will also receive the assessment brief which sets out the formative and summative assessments throughout the module.

There are three key sources of academic support available to you during your time at the Bridge in addition to Ask4Help who are available 24/7 for general queries related to your studies.

Your Module Tutor
Your module tutor is responsible for your learning outcomes on the module. They deliver the workshops and provide guidance in relation to learning and assignments. They develop all of the key resources and make them available through the eLP (electronic learning portal module) Blackboard, which is used to provide support materials, interactive learning tasks and give you regular opportunities to test and get feedback on your learning. You will be given both written and verbal feedback and guidance on your work and progress during the semester by your module tutor.

Your Learning Mentor
On programme, you will have your in-person and online engagement activity tracked against the learning plan with key check-in points built into the academic calendar to ensure you maximise your learning potential. Engagement with formative assessments will also be used by the learning mentor to discuss any action planning required to ensure success.

Academic Skills Team
The Bridge aspires to build a range of student skillsets, including digital skills, academic writing and discourse, working alone and in teams. Your learning mentor may refer you a dedicated academic skills team which is based in the centre. Here you can attend drop-ins or schedule 1-1 sessions on issues which have been identified at the diagnostic stages of the programme however you may also have self-identified areas for your own growth and self-refer yourself for support.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1: To understand the requirements of degree level study and the focus on academic rigour throughout your studies including the key components of critical thinking and academic good practice
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO2: To develop good study habits which ensure you are equipped to engage with your future studies
MLO3: To know when to ask for help and support and how to get it
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO4: To recognise the current and future stages of your personal and professional development journey

You will create a portfolio which draws together your reflective analysis of your first year at the Bridge and which demonstrates your advancement in the areas of Career Action Planning and academic skills. You will be required to provide evidence of all activities completed (both in modules and the learning/ skills development you have completed independently). In addition to an analysis of what you have done you will create an action plan of what is required ahead of your next year of study to address known areas for improvement based on the assessment feedback you have received to date.

This will asses all module learning outcomes.

You will receive summative feedback on your portfolio throughout the year from your Learning Mentor. You will have a check-in on your portfolio in each block of study. You are expected to attend this session and take notes which will be used as part of your portfolio.

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Being prepared for the demands of returning to study alongside other commitments requires specialist skills, structure, good learning habits and motivation. This year long module underpins the learning you will undertake in your first year ensuring that you are equipped to manage life at university. You will create a portfolio of evidence which will demonstrate that you are ready to progress to the next level of your study with the Bridge.