Audio clips offer a range of student and staff perspectives on themes covered in class
Wherever you see this icon you can listen to audio clips featuring staff and students talking about their expectations and experiences of learning and assessment. These short clips help bring the topics to life whilst also demonstrating how learning strategies might need to be adapted from one academic discipline to the next. You might find it useful to listen to the clips before the corresponding lecture in order to help 'set the scene' and to give you some ideas for tutorial discussion.

Download lecture slides and other course materials 
All of the materials that we cover in class (lecture slides, handouts, tutorial outlines, course descriptors) are available to view or download on this VLE. You might find it useful to print a copy of the lecture slides in advance of class (or afterwards if you were absent) although bear in mind that the slides only provide the bare bones of what is covered during lectures and are not a substitute for taking your own notes!

Links to further reading and useful resources
For each of the themes covered during the Learning Skills course, we'll make suggestions for additional reading to be undertaken before class. In some cases you will need to look at these resources before the corresponding Wednesday session in order to participate in the tutorial. Most of the resources will offer useful guidance in the completion of coursework for the LS course. 

Quiz exercises
For each week of the course there will be a short quiz exercise that gives you the opportunity to test your understanding of some of the key concepts covered in class. In each case, you're encouraged to make a few personal notes explaining why you reached a decision. After submitting your response, you'll be able to compare your ideas against my suggested answers (which will appear on screen). The exercises are don't contribute towards your overall mark for the course - they're just a place for you to test your own understanding and get some feedback, safe in the knowledge that no-one else is watching. 

Step into the marker's shoes!
Where you see this icon you'll have the opportunity to step into my ill advised shoes and play the role of the marker. Each of these exercises is linked to your coursework assessments and you'll have the chance to cast a critical eye over a group presentation, an essay and a reference list. To do this you'll be encouraged to use the Assessment Criteria sheets that LS staff will consult when looking at your own work, giving you a clear idea of what we're looking for in your assignments. Once you've marked the examples provided, you'll be able to compare your thoughts with those of staff (Alice and I will also be assessing the work) which will hopefully give you a clear idea of what we regard as 'high quality work'.

Continue class discussion and ask questions on the discussion board 
As well as providing a space to share your responses to some of the online activities on this VLE, the discussion board on is a place to put questions to staff and to continue conversations that arose in class. Click the button to join the discussion.

Use the glossary to find out what your lecturers are talking about!
As the course progresses you'll encounter some unfamiliar terminology. The glossary on the VLE explains some of the more common bits of academic terminology you'll hear (and if we use a phrase that you don't understand and isn't listed, let us know and we'll add it to the glossary).