CQUniversity Unit Profile
SKIL40025 Preparation Skills for University
Preparation Skills for University
All details in this unit profile for SKIL40025 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit is designed to help students become self-directed, active and confident learners. It introduces them to a range of theories and concepts to facilitate the development of practical skills and positive attitudes necessary for success in university. There will be opportunities for critical self-reflection on key aspects of student life, including: individual learning preferences and study habits; time management and goal-setting; individual study and career paths; note-taking and assessment strategies. Students will practise critical thinking, and apply information literacy skills to their research. They will learn to negotiate the procedures and systems used at CQUniversity, and practise communication skills in a range of contexts.

Details

Career Level: Non-award
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 3 - 2023

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Non-award unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 20%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
4. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 10%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Unit Coordinators and Self-reflection

Feedback

Streamlining resources on Moodle

Recommendation

Reduce the number of optional resources and activities and create a consistent look within each tile on Moodle to make the site less busy.

Feedback from Unit Coordinators and Self-reflection

Feedback

Simplifying study guide

Recommendation

Remove the discussion forum invitations as numbered activities in each module, and leave as Moodle activities only.

Feedback from Students

Feedback

Acknowledgment of actively engaged students

Recommendation

Continue to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to actively engaged students through regular email correspondence throughout the term.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Develop strong study habits and effective learning strategies to become a confident and self-directed learner
  2. Apply critical thinking skills in a range of contexts, with a particular focus on critical self-reflection
  3. Set and manage goals for individual study and career paths
  4. Find and evaluate relevant, scholarly research
  5. Negotiate procedures and systems used at university
  6. Develop communication skills appropriate for higher education
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%
4 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Self Management
2 - Communication
3 - Information Literacy
4 - Information Technology Competence
5 - Problem Solving
6 - Critical Thinking
7 - Cross-Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical Practice
9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Preparation Skills for University Study Guide

Edition: 9 (2023)
Authors: School of Access Education
CQUniversity Publishing Unit
Rockhampton Rockhampton , QLD , Australia
Binding: Spiral

Additional Textbook Information

The study guide for Preparation Skills for University (SKIL40025) is available on the unit Moodle site; however, we
strongly advise that you print your own copy. You will need a hard copy to complete activities and take notes. The study
guide cannot be purchased from the CQUniversity Bookshop. Your Access Coordinator will provide you with advice on
printing options.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Helen Holden Unit Coordinator
h.holden@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Module 1 Begin Date: 06 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Preparing for University

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 2 Begin Date: 13 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Active Learning Strategies

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 3 Begin Date: 20 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Learning Styles and Personality Types

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 4 Begin Date: 27 Nov 2023

Module/Topic

Research Skills (Finding and Evaluating Scholarly Information)

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Learning Portfolio A Due: Week 4 Friday (1 Dec 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Break Week Begin Date: 04 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 5 Begin Date: 11 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Active Reading and Listening (Introduction to Note-taking and Paraphrasing)

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 6 Begin Date: 18 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Stress Management and Resilience

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 1: Active Listening, Reading and Research Due: Week 6 Friday (22 Dec 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Break Week Begin Date: 25 Dec 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 7 Begin Date: 01 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Oral Presentation Skills

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 8 Begin Date: 08 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Assessment Strategies and Brain-Based Learning

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 9 Begin Date: 15 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Critical Thinking 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 10 Begin Date: 22 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

Clever Career Planning

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Module 11 Begin Date: 29 Jan 2024

Module/Topic

World of Work

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Learning Portfolio B Due: Week 11 Friday (2 Feb 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Module 12 Begin Date: 05 Feb 2024

Module/Topic

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Feb 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Quiz 2: End of Term Quiz Due: Exam Week Monday (12 Feb 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Term Specific Information

Unit Coordinator:
Helen Holden
Email: h.holden@cqu.edu.au
Phone: (07) 49707337

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Learning Portfolio A

Task Description

Learning Portfolio A is a series of reflections and activities written in response to Modules 1, 2 and 3 of your PSU Study Guide. Using the template provided on the Moodle unit site, fill in your answers to the questions provided.

Please note: 

  • This is not an essay but a series of answers.
  • First person (use of I, my, myself, etc.) is acceptable. 
  • Full sentences are required (no bullet points) except when listing your goals (Module 2). 
  • Formal referencing is NOT required. (Please ignore the mention of Harvard Referencing in the advice below as this is an automatic feature of the Unit Profile system and not relevant to PSU.)
  • No title page is necessary. 

Word length: 1000 - 1400 words. The wording of the questions should not be included in your final word count. 

Please find further details on the PSU Moodle site. Go to the ASSESSMENT tile and click on the Learning Portfolio A tab. This is also where you will submit your assignment. 
Please ensure that you submit a Word document. (PDF files are not appropriate for this assignment.)

 


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Friday (1 Dec 2023) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Learning Portfolio A will be returned via the unit's Moodle site two (2) weeks from the due date or submission date, whichever is later.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

The task assesses your understanding of key concepts from Modules 1, 2 and 3. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop strong study habits and effective learning strategies to become a confident and self-directed learner
  • Apply critical thinking skills in a range of contexts, with a particular focus on critical self-reflection
  • Set and manage goals for individual study and career paths
  • Negotiate procedures and systems used at university
  • Develop communication skills appropriate for higher education

2 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Quiz 1: Active Listening, Reading and Research

Task Description

You will need to complete Quiz 1 on the Moodle unit site. To prepare for this, complete Modules 4 and 5 from your PSU Study Guide.
The quiz will be available from the beginning of Week 5 and will stay 'live' until the end of Week 6. Go to the ASSESSMENT tile on the Moodle unit site and click on the Quiz 1 tab.

There are 40 questions. The quiz is worth 20% of your overall mark for the term. 

This is an 'open book' assessment which means that you are free to refer to any printed or online materials from the unit. If you do browse the Web (e.g. if you go the CQUniversity Library homepage), you need to open a new 'window' (screen). If you don't, there is a danger that you won't be able to get back to the quiz. 
The quiz will remain open for 3 hours, but you should not need anywhere near that time. Don't panic if you do get locked out for whatever reason. Just contact your lecturer/tutor who will reset the quiz for you. 


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (22 Dec 2023) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

The quiz is set up so that you will know your score as soon as you have finished.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

This quiz assesses your understanding of key concepts from Modules 4 and 5. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop strong study habits and effective learning strategies to become a confident and self-directed learner
  • Find and evaluate relevant, scholarly research
  • Negotiate procedures and systems used at university

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Learning Portfolio B

Task Description

Learning Portfolio B is a series of reflections and activities written in response to Modules 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of your PSU Study Guide. Using the template provided on the Moodle unit site, fill in your answers to the questions provided.

Please note:

  • This is not an essay but a series of answers.
  • First person (use of I, my, myself, etc.) is acceptable.
  • Full sentences are required (no bullet points).
  • Formal referencing is NOT required. (Please ignore the mention of Harvard Referencing in the advice below as this is an automatic feature of the Unit Profile system and not relevant to PSU.)
  • No title page is necessary.

Word length: 1600 - 2200 words. The wording of the questions should not be included in your final word count.

Please find further details on the PSU Moodle site. Go to the ASSESSMENT tile and click on the Learning Portfolio B tab. This is also where you will submit your assignment.
Please ensure that you submit a Word document. (PDF files are not appropriate for this assignment.)


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Friday (2 Feb 2024) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Learning Portfolio B will be returned via the unit's Moodle site two (2) weeks from the due date or submission date, whichever is later.


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
Pass

Assessment Criteria

The task assesses your understanding of key concepts from Modules 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Multiple documents can be uploaded. One of these must be the portfolio itself as a Word document. Be sure to include a copy of the speech used for your oral presentation (either at the end of your portfolio or as a separate document).

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop strong study habits and effective learning strategies to become a confident and self-directed learner
  • Apply critical thinking skills in a range of contexts, with a particular focus on critical self-reflection
  • Set and manage goals for individual study and career paths
  • Negotiate procedures and systems used at university
  • Develop communication skills appropriate for higher education

4 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Quiz 2: End of Term Quiz

Task Description

You will need to complete Quiz 2 on the Moodle unit site. To prepare for this, complete Modules 1, 11 and 12 as per the schedule in the Unit Profile.
The quiz will be available from the beginning of Week 11 and will stay 'live' until Monday of Week 13 (Review/Exam Week). Go to the ASSESSMENT tile on the Moodle unit site and click on the Quiz 2 tab.

There are 20 questions. The quiz is worth 10% of your overall mark for the term.

This is an 'open book' assessment which means that you are free to refer to any printed or online materials from the unit. If you do browse the Web (e.g. if you go the CQUniversity homepage), you need to open a new 'window' (screen). If you don't, there is a danger that you won't be able to get back to the quiz.
The quiz will remain open for 2 hours, but you should not need anywhere near that time. Don't panic if you do get locked out for whatever reason. Just contact your lecturer/tutor who will reset the quiz for you.


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Monday (12 Feb 2024) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

The quiz is set up so that you will know your score as soon as you have finished.


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

This quiz assesses your understanding of key concepts from Modules 1, 11 and 12. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop strong study habits and effective learning strategies to become a confident and self-directed learner
  • Set and manage goals for individual study and career paths
  • Negotiate procedures and systems used at university

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?