Academic and Study Skills
Working in partnership with academic colleagues to provide support for education with academic literacies and study skills
To support students in developing as learners we have created a range of adaptable learning resources, canvas materials, interactive lectures and in-person workshops that can be effectively embedded within your programme, module, or community.
Below you’ll find examples of how we can support your students in practice. Existing materials can be selected independently and embedded directly into Canvas or resources can be combined and tailored by the Academic Skills Team to create a bespoke learning experience, relevant to the module and level of study.
Induction material can be found within the University’s wider induction collection. We also contribute to the library’s in-person induction sessions during Welcome Week to introduce the resources and support services available.
To find out how we can work with you to support you and your students, explore our embedded teaching provision, contact the Academic Skills Team or complete our teaching request form.
Workshops
Our practical workshop sessions ensure that students become familiar with different academic skills and conventions and provide them with the opportunity to apply these to their learning context. We can deliver either in-person or online workshops to both small and large groups.
Lectures
Interactive lectures provide students with key tips and advice for developing their academic skills, with activities to consolidate understanding. Lectures can be offered in-person or via Zoom/Teams with learning materials such as PowerPoint slides being offered in advance. Supplementary Canvas materials as well as focused drop-in support can also be provided to offer additional opportunities for individual development.
Example lesson plans:
- Essay Writing (PGT)
- Exam Support (Stage 2)
Resources to support new undergraduate students
Get Ready to Study: Study Skills for Stage 1 is a collection of resources specifically tailored to supporting new undergraduate students with the transition to university. Developed in collaboration with students as part of a project called Bridging the Gap, these resources aim to build student knowledge, skills, confidence and independence. The student-led project was shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Award, and supported by a university-wide advisory group, made up of (but not limited to): Student Wellbeing, Student Recruitment, the library’s Academic Liaison team, academic staff from all faculties, and the Inclusive Newcastle Knowledge Centre.
From research and referencing to academic writing and developing healthy study habits, this collection provides Stage 1 students with essential skills for their first year at university, accompanied by a student-written blog. These resources can be embedded in Canvas, used in teaching or accessed independently by students.
Embedded Academic Skills Resources
Academic Skills Canvas materials provide a range of learning material that is tailored to your subject and the specific needs of your students. This can include single topics or combinations of themes, such as exams and revision, reflection, critical analysis of sources, and reading and note-taking techniques. Embedded within your course, the Academic Skills material is designed to be an integrated part of module activity and can be a discreet module or pages within your courses.
For examples of how this can be done in your context please contact academicskills@newcastle.ac.uk.
Self-enrol Academic Skills modules
Stand alone, self-enrol Canvas modules are designed to provide your students with specific academic and digital creation skills to help them succeed in their subjects. These would be linked from your course, rather than embedded directly.
Currently, students can access the following self-enrol courses:
Further self-enrol courses are being developed in critical writing, approaching the dissertation, and incorporating sources.
Canvas Commons resources
The Academic Skills Team share reusable resources for you to embed in your learning materials. Shared under a creative commons license, these materials can be repurposed and amended for your needs with attrition.
- Understanding plagiarism quiz - multiple choice questions with video stimulus and critical analysis of text examples.
Interactive tutorials
The Academic Skills Team have created a range of interactive tutorials where students can work through instructions on a split screen while simultaneously carrying out tasks and activities. These tutorials have been designed for new and returning students and focus on understanding some of the conventions of university level study. All the tutorials can be easily embedded into a canvas course and can be tailored to different subjects and levels.
Additional resources
- How to Paraphrase - an interactive resource explaining the process of paraphrasing and providing the opportunity to practice the process
- The Writing Process - this video resource explains the process of producing a piece of academic written work
Academic Skills Kit
We have a number of resources on the Academic Skills Kit that can be signposted to students. These include specially curated collections around key points in the academic calendar, such as exams and revision, understanding feedback, and approaching dissertations and extended projects.
