Writing Centre Seminar

Dr Jillian Schedneck Writing Centre Meeting the University’s Expectations for Study

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 Adelaide3

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.’ University of Adelaide4

Outline A new approach to learning Uni expectations Managing your time Avoiding plagiarism University of Adelaide5

Be prepared for the different kind of work Be prepared for the different pace The University of AdelaideSlide 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: Take responsibility for your own learning Make the effort to develop social relationships The University of AdelaideSlide 7 Independent study

A new approach to learning: Becoming an independent learner University of Adelaide8 Dependent ‘reactive’ learnerIndependent ‘proactive’ learner Requires the university to set the agendaProvides much more of their own structure Needs/wants to be told what to do all the timeTakes ownership of and responsibility for their own learning Expects rewards/punishmentsSeek and uses feedback to improve in the future Assumes learning equates to presence in classRecognises that learning involves more than mere presence Blames their poor performance on the system or others 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.

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 Adelaide9

Slide 10 The University of Adelaide 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 AdelaideSlide 11 Student Testimonial 2 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)

Slide 12 The University of Adelaide 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)

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* s to your tutors and lecturers *appropriate address, good grammar, polite, not demanding University of Adelaide13

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! University of Adelaide14

Another expectation: checking My Uni Every course of study has an online presence Access university information any time Content includes: Course InformationLecture Notes AnnouncementsCalendar Assessment Tasks Schedules / Timetables Tutorial QuestionsQuizzes & Past Exams University of Adelaide15

Another expectation: Uni Check your uni at least once a day. Use the Academic Skills Resources course in MyUni. University of Adelaide16

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 Adelaide17

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 before the next lecture University of Adelaide18

A good approach to reading Note1. Look quickly to get a general idea Predict2. Read the useful sections in more detail Scan3. Write down important information Skim4. Look for specific words and information Analyse5. Look at the title and work out the content University of Adelaide19

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! University of Adelaide20

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. University of Adelaide21

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 University of Adelaide22

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 Adelaide23

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? University of Adelaide24

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 Adelaide25

Avoiding plagiarism University of Adelaide26

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) University of Adelaide27

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 Adelaide28

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 Adelaide29

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 Adelaide30

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. University of Adelaide31

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 Adelaide32

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 Adelaide33

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 Adelaide34

Writing Centre Learning Guide recommendations Learning at University Group Work Managing Your Time Making Notes Avoiding Plagiarism Practical Study Habits University of Adelaide35

Writing Centre Details WEB: FACEBOOK: PHONE: VISIT: Level 3 Hub Central, 10am-4pm Mon-Fri