Writing Centre Seminar

Dr Jillian SchedneckWriting Centre

Meeting the University’s Expectations for Study

University of Adelaide 3

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.

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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/

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Outline

• A new approach to learning• Uni expectations • Managing your time• Avoiding plagiarism

• 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

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Independent study

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A new approach to learning: Becoming an independent learner

Dependent ‘reactive’ learner Independent ‘proactive’ learner

Requires the university to set the agenda Provides much more of their own structure

Needs/wants to be told what to do all the time Takes ownership of and responsibility for their own learning

Expects rewards/punishments Seek and uses feedback to improve in the future

Assumes learning equates to presence in class Recognises 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.

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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

Slide 10The 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)

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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 12The 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)

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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, goodgrammar, polite, not demanding

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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 Lecture Notes

Announcements Calendar

Assessment Tasks Schedules / Timetables

Tutorial Questions Quizzes & Past Exams

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Another expectation: Uni email

Check your uni email at least once a day.

Use the AcademicSkills 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

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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

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Lecture

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A good approach to reading

Note 1. Look quickly to get a general idea

Predict 2. Read the useful sections in more detail

Scan 3. Write down important information

Skim 4. Look for specific words and information

Analyse 5. Look at the title and work out the content

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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 whetheror not the burqua should be banned in Australia.

There are resources for group workin the Writing Centre and withinthe 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/

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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

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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 GuidesAcademic Skills Resources

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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/

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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

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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 highlightWrite down notes in your notebook or

straight into a Word document– Write down your ideas and the source’sideas in your own words

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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)

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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/

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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

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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

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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

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Writing Centre Learning Guide recommendations

Learning at UniversityGroup WorkManaging Your TimeMaking NotesAvoiding PlagiarismPractical Study Habits

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/learning_guides/

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