Writing Centre Seminar

Meeting the University’s Expectations for Study

Dr Jillian Schedneck Writing Centre

Welcome!

Congratulations on joining the University of Adelaide student body! You’ve achieved a lot to get here.

I hope this talk will help fast track your future study and give you key insights into studying in Australia. University of Adelaide 3

University of Adelaide students

‘Studying at the University of Adelaide means being part of a rich tradition of excellence in education and research , with world class academic staff and a vibrant student life .’ ‘We are committed to producing graduates recognised worldwide for their creativity, knowledge and skills , as well as their culture and tolerance . Our graduates make an impact on the world.’ http://www.adelaide.edu.au/uni/ University of Adelaide 4

Outline

• • • • A new approach to learning Uni expectations Managing your time Avoiding plagiarism University of Adelaide 5

Independent study

• Be prepared for the different kind of work • Be prepared for the different pace The University of Adelaide Slide 6

Independent study

• Be prepared for a different teaching and learning environment: •

Lectures, tutorials, practicals, workshops, seminars, independent work

•

Large student numbers, anonymity

• Check this glossary of terms: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/study/glossary/ • Take responsibility for your own learning • Make the effort to develop social relationships The University of Adelaide Slide 7

A new approach to learning: Becoming an independent learner

Dependent ‘reactive’ learner Independent ‘proactive’ learner

Requires the university to set the agenda Needs/wants to be told what to do all the time Provides much more of their own structure Takes ownership of and responsibility for their own learning Seek and uses feedback to improve in the future Expects rewards/punishments Assumes learning equates to presence in class Blames their poor performance on the system or others Recognises that learning involves more than mere presence Works on strategies to improve their future performance Expects that they will be helped without having to ask Seeks held at all stages and not only in problem areas Adapted from Wallace, Schirato, & Bright, 1999, p.39

.

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A new approach: Transitioning to Australian university

As you move into a new ‘culture’, you will all face unfamiliar places and people, and plenty of ‘independence’.

• • • The transition process involves: adapting to new teaching and learning styles engaging with coordinators, lecturers, tutors and other students balancing social and academic responsibilities University of Adelaide 9

Student Testimonial 1

When I finished Year 12 I had no idea what I wanted to do. I changed my uni preferences four times and I was still unsure which uni I wanted to go to and whether I actually wanted to go at all… Once I decided to start, I never looked back.

Oliver (Science)

The University of Adelaide Slide 10

Student Testimonial 2

The University of Adelaide

Once you begin your first week of lectures, tutorials and practicals, the culture shock begins! University is completely different to high school. The new demands, expectations and independence can take a while to adjust to, but don't be intimidated by these.

Sean (Bachelor of Engineering)

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Student Testimonial 3

...university is not just about study, it's also about mixing with different people from other cultures. For me it's about learning how to handle different situations in life rather than just about study. Try to enjoy your time because university years are the best years.

Wilson (International Student)

The University of Adelaide Slide 12

• • • • •

Expectations

Attend all required course meetings and arrive on time Participate when appropriate by paying active attention and speaking up during discussions Make sure you’ve done your reading and tried to understand the course content, and ask a question when you don’t understand Talk to your peers Send appropriate* emails to your tutors and lecturers *appropriate address, good grammar, polite, not demanding University of Adelaide 13

• • • • • • •

Expectations

Possess academic integrity; avoid plagiarism and write in your own voice (using your own words) Submit assignments on time Participate in group assignments and support your group members Think, read, write and speak critically (ask questions of what you are learning, rather than passively accepting information) Be active in your learning (rather than only memorising and repeating) Seek help when you need it from the many resources available at this university

Be passionate about your studies!

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Another expectation: checking My Uni

Every course of study has an online presence Access university information any time Content includes:

Course Information Announcements Assessment Tasks Tutorial Questions Lecture Notes Calendar Schedules / Timetables Quizzes & Past Exams

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Another expectation: Uni email

Check your uni email at least once a day. Use the Academic Skills Resources course in MyUni.

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In your lectures

• Take notes BUT Don’t try to write everything • down.

Don’t simply copy the PowerPoint • slides. Do listen before you start to write.

• • • • •

If the lecturer is too fast

Write down questions to find out or ask later Try to follow the structure of the talk Prepare before the lecture Talk to other students about the course Check the course guide to help answer questions University of Adelaide 17

After the lecture

• • • • Do any assigned reading Write down a summary of what you learned Discuss the lecture with a friend Look for possible • exam questions Revise your notes Lecture before the next lecture 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1 hour 24 hours 7 days University of Adelaide 1 month 18

A good approach to reading

Note Predict Scan Skim Analyse 1. Look quickly to get a general idea 2. Read the useful sections in more detail 3. Write down important information 4. Look for specific words and information 5. Look at the title and work out the content University of Adelaide 19

Taking a critical approach

Your approach should always be critical Ask yourself: – Why am I reading this?

– How does it (potentially) relate to my research focus/question?

– What specific questions do I expect to be answered?

– What extra unexpected points did I find?

• Be prepared to be surprised!

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Group work

Example group activity:

Write a policy report about whether or not the burqua should be banned in Australia. There are resources for group work in the Writing Centre and within the Academic Skills Resources course.

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Managing Your Time: Ask Yourself

What are your priorities?

How long does it take to get to Uni?

Could you use that time to study (e.g. on the bus)?

• • • If you are sick, you can ask for an extension.

Don’t let work build up!

Read tips about time management in UniThrive http://www.adelaide.edu.au/uni-thrive/ University of Adelaide 22

Managing your time

• • • • Attending your required course meetings Preparing for courses Completing assignments Meeting peers for group assignments • • • • • Eating well Getting enough sleep Exercising Seeing sights around Adelaide and Australia Having fun with new friends University of Adelaide 23

Managing your time: assignments

• • • • • • • • Kinds of assignments: Essay Report Article review Literature review Lab report Case study Reflective journal Oral presentation What is the best way to handle time management for a research assignment due in three weeks?

Sample essay assignment:

Discuss some of the new sustainable energy technologies for Australia. What if this was a presentation?

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As you write your assignments: think about academic integrity

• • What is academic integrity?

Acknowledging sources through correct referencing Writing in your own voice (making it clear whose ideas are being expressed—yours or a source’s) There are many resources about how to reference well and have academic integrity: Writing Centre Learning Guides Academic Skills Resources University of Adelaide 25

Avoiding plagiarism

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Kinds of plagiarism

• Plagiarism of authorship • Word for word plagiarism • Paraphrasing plagiarism • Plagiarism of ideas • Overuse of quotation The University of Adelaide Policy on Academic Honesty (2011) http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230/ University of Adelaide 27

Reasons for plagiarism:

• • • • • Laziness, poor time management strategies Lack of English language resources Wanting to show respect for the sources Lack confidence in your ideas Giving up / not knowing what else to do University of Adelaide 28

Avoiding plagiarism: take good notes

•

Take notes effectively:

– Know the difference between your own summaries of sources and direct quotes from a source •

Don’t just highlight

Write down notes in your notebook or straight into a Word document – Write down your ideas and the source’s ideas in your own words University of Adelaide 29

Use three categories of notes

1. Direct quotes from a source (include quotation marks + page number) 2. Your version of the author’s point (include the page number and your initials) 3. Your own comments on what you read (add your initials to these notes) University of Adelaide 30

More tips to avoid plagiarism

• Avoid stringing together quotes and paraphrases. – – Express your ideas in your own, simple language. Your tutors and markers will appreciate this much more than what you would produce by stringing together the words of others.

• Write in English. Avoid writing in your native language and translating to English. • Use Turnitin—a text matching software. http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/plagiarism/ University of Adelaide 31

Common pitfalls: What to avoid

You might have trouble adjusting to university if you: • • • • • Don’t ask for help Only want to memorise and not apply knowledge or think critically Wait until the last minute to start your assignments Avoid speaking in English outside of class Remain insecure about participating in tutorials University of Adelaide 32

• • •

How to get the most out of your classes and assignments

Be confident in your language abilities Assume that your Australian peers are friendly and helpful Put in the hours necessary to complete most of your reading and all of your assignments University of Adelaide 33

• • • • •

How to get the most out of your classes and assignments

Make sure you grasp the KEY CONCEPTS for each week in each of your courses Follow assignment instructions carefully—complete them step by step Ask your tutor questions if you are unsure about any assignment instructions Ask for extension if you need it. Be honest with your tutor.

Use the university resources to help you University of Adelaide 34

Writing Centre Learning Guide recommendations

Learning at University Group Work Managing Your Time Making Notes Avoiding Plagiarism Practical Study Habits http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/learning_guides/ University of Adelaide 35

Writing Centre Details

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www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre www.facebook.com/WritingCentreUofA [email protected]

8313 3021 Level 3 Hub Central, 10am-4pm Mon-Fri