Overview
A contributing factor to success in a higher education context relates to the understanding and use of communication skills specific to academia. This unit helps to develop your academic language and literacy skills including your academic study skills to support your learning in undergraduate university programs. This introductory unit is studied concurrently with discipline specific units related to the undergraduate degree in your chosen field of study. It focuses on foundation knowledge, understanding and use of academic language and literacy skills.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
Demonstrate a clear understanding of the fundamentals of citing and referencing as the basis of academic integrity.
Research, analyse and reason from evidence to reach an effective outcome.
Plan and produce academic texts with the required structure and language features appropriate to audience, purpose and context.
Demonstrate effective teamwork and interpersonal communication competence.
Exercise reflective thinking in response to personal performance and feedback.
Learning approaches
This unit takes a blended approach to learning and teaching. You will be provided with both eContent and timetabled activities such as tutorials, workshops and practicals. eContent will be clearly identified on your Canvas site for you to engage with on a weekly basis before your classes. eContent could include videos, readings, self-reflection and/or peer activities designed to enhance your learning experience. During the timetabled activities, the unit coordinator and/or your tutor will further explain content and you will be provided with opportunities to explore this content in a collaborative learning environment. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content. Teaching team members will also be available for one-on-one consultations to assist you with your learning journey.
This unit encourages you to be an active learner by engaging you in a variety of learning opportunities around content which helps prepare you for study within a higher education context. It provides a supportive learning environment in which you are encouraged to take risks with your academic language production. You will be challenged by regular tasks that incrementally build your academic literacy and language knowledge and skills. In this process, you will learn to use reflective practice to improve your awareness around seeking and using feedback. The knowledge and skills you gain in this unit will also apply to your discipline units.
This unit adopts an approach which relies on your engagement in activities prior to and after classes. An important aspect of this unit are weekly Learning Forums and Language Labs. These sessions are designed to meet your needs as students new to QUT and the Australian educational landscape, additionally, they allow you to develop their functional academic language skills. This unit values the knowledge you bring with you and as such, there is an emphasis on sharing and building on this knowledge while understanding how to work with your peers.
Feedback on learning and assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
Formal: in writing, such as checklists, rubrics, written commentary
Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Modification to assessment may be required based on mode of study.
Formative assessment will occur to give you an opportunity to gauge your own progress and for tutors to provide feedback on your learning. Summative assessment tasks will occur at points throughout the unit so you can better pace your workload. This will also allow for scaffolded learning where your academic literacy skills are slowly built though incremental tasks at greater levels of complexity. The assessment tasks and associated feedback will be learning opportunities and will provide support for you to complete the unit successfully. There will be a focus throughout the unit on drafting and redrafting your work based on feedback to support your learning and skill development. In Academic Communication 1, there is emphasis on learning through dialogue and teamwork. This is assessed through both formative and summative methods on an ongoing basis.
Assessment in this unit is designed around academic skills necessary for successful participation in undergraduate university programs. They are authentic and relevant tasks that will support you in your future studies in your chosen discipline area.
Assessment 1: Group Presentation
You will work with one or two of your peers to prepare and deliver a presentation focusing on a prescribed academic reading. Each person in your group will be required to present for 4-5 minutes. This assessment item is completed as a group, but graded individually.
Assessment 2: Analytical Report
You will plan and write a 1400 word report based on research and analysis of a chosen targeted skill. You will investigate the issue, justify your argument and provide recommendations.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment 3: Examination
Students are required to write a critical reflection.