Academic Skill Practice: Improving Study Skills and Maintaining Academic Integrity

This report discusses the importance of academic skills and how to improve them through Academic Skill Practice. It includes a skills audit, a list of strengths and areas of improvement, and a short action plan. It also covers academic integrity and referencing, as well as creating a weekly schedule to manage study and other responsibilities. The report concludes with a reflection on the development of academic skills through studying the module. The subject is academic skill practice, and the course code and college/university are not mentioned.

Academic Skill Practice

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY .................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1...................................................................................................................................3
Complete the skills audit provided ........................................................................................3
Create the list of strengths and areas of improvement with reference to Arden University's
graduate attributes..................................................................................................................4
Create a short action plan of how you would improve these areas in short, medium and long
term.........................................................................................................................................5
TASK 2...................................................................................................................................5
TASK 3...................................................................................................................................7
Create a weekly schedule which shows that how the individual manage their study and the
other responsibilities and commitments for completing the studies successfully .................7
TASK 4...................................................................................................................................8
Refer to the audit of skills you completed in week and write the reflection on the development
of academic skills through studying the module ..................................................................8
Use separate paragraphs to write about the following ....................................................................9
Gather the notes you have taken during this week in class and in the independent study . .10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Academic skill practice refers to the process of completing the work of academics into
independent terms, honestly and in proper academic style with use of good referencing and
acknowledging all the sources. Academic skills are important because they encourage students in
terms of becoming the more efficient learners(Achaleke., 2022). The present report will cover
discussion about the academic study skills and also about the main things which an individual
wants to improve with support of an action plan. In addition to this, the report will cover analysis
about academic integrity and referencing along with examples and also about the management of
study, related responsibilities and commitments. Moreover, the report will cover discussion
about the reflection which is related to academic skills which have been developed, lessons
learnt from the experience of studying the academic skills practice.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
Complete the skills audit provided
Skills
Information skills Do not know
about this
Find this
difficult/ can’t
do this
Can partially
do this
Can do this
well
Identify which books/journals/websites to
use
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Evaluate the credibility of sources ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Cite sources using AU Harvard ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Create a reference list using AU Harvard ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Maintain Academic Integrity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Avoid plagiarism ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Do not know
about this difficult/ can’t
Brainstorm ideas ☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐Plan written work ☐
☐
☐ ☐ ☐
Paraphrase & summarise ideas ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Reflective writing ☐
☐
☐ ☐ ☐

Informal and Academic writing ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write an introduction & conclusion ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Do not know
about this difficult/ can’t
Work independently (without tutors) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use effective note taking method ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use effective time management method ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Do not know
about this difficult/ can’t
Navigate iLearn to find resources ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use search engines ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Create word documents ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use PowerPoint ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Create the list of strengths and areas of improvement with reference to Arden University's
graduate attributes
Strengths
 I am good in terms of communication skills as I can interact effectively within the
classroom and it help me in maintaining the good relationship with the teachers an also
carry on the assigned work into effective terms.
 My strength point is time management skill and it will help me to carry on the work
within the right terms and also manages all activities into effective terms(Bakhtiyari and
Tabassum., 2022). There is also requirement of taking all the lectures on the time so that
work can be managed into appropriate manner.
Weakness
 Its very difficult for me to deal with the problematic situation and due to which I lack
motivation level in terms of solving the problems into effective terms.
 I am weak in writing skills and also I am unable to write it into fast pace manner
(Barrena-Martínez and et.al., 2019). My slow speed also causes various kinds of issues
for me and creates mismanagement in terms of working.

What are the three key areas which you can do to improve the areas of improvement identified?
 Problem solving skills: For enhancing my problem solving skills, I will take help of my
seniors and teachers so that work can be managed into appropriate terms.
 Writing skills: There is also requirement of practice as it support in terms of developing
the writing skills(Ashton-Hay and Doncaster., 2021). I will write two pages on the daily
basis and also get checked on the same areas which still can be enhanced.
 ICT skills: I will take the online classes so that skills can be enhanced and the work is
managed (Easterby-Smith and et.al., 2021). It will help me in terms of carrying out the
work with support of technology and also achieve the better image at the organisational
level.
Create a short action plan of how you would improve these areas in short, medium and long term
Goals of short term nature For enhancing my skills of writing
Actions I will practice skills of writing along with
grammar on the daily basis
Goals of medium term nature For enhancing skills of information and
communication technology and resolve all the
challenges which occurs at the time of studying
Actions I will paid more attention within the class and
also take classes to enhance the skills of
ICT (Ferreira., Mueller and Papa., 2018). It
will support me in terms of carrying out the
projects into effective terms.
Goals of long term nature I will work more hard in terms of getting good
placement
Actions There is also requirement of working into
proper terms and also take actions to improve
the skills at intellectual level so that best results
can be achieved. There is requirement of
working into proper terms and also take actions
to enhance skills of intellectual level so that
best results can be achieved.
TASK 2
Describe about the meaning of academic integrity
Academic integrity refers to the expectation which students, teachers, researchers and all
the members of the academic community act with trust, honesty, respect, fairness and

responsibility. It is necessary for all the students to follow the same so they they can work into
effective terms. There is also an important role of academic integrity for the success of students
and breaching out the same which is known as the academic misconduct(Ibay and Pa-alisbo.,
2020).The maintenance of academic integrity is important because the individual wants to
acknowledge who created or also developed the new ideas or research as well. It has been
observed that knowledge has been created by many people and also want to acknowledge every
person's contribution as well. When the individual has copied the matter then they can't learn
anything into effective terms with the right kind of approach. Academic integrity is significant
because students should respect the dignity of others, property and rights and also support in
terms of maintaining an environment where all can achieve the success by the fruits of their
efforts.
It has been observed that having the academic integrity is important because it can offer
the peace of mind knowing that which believes in doing the right things and also try to act into
consistent form with those beliefs. When act into the integrity form then it reduces the stress
level of unnecessary terms within the life that makes the individual happier, productive and
healthier as well. So academic integrity is very important from the students and university
perspective as well.
Provide three examples of how they can achieve academic integrity at Arden University
There are different kinds of examples which academic integrity can be achieved at the
University level which can be defined into the following manner:
 Paraphrasing: The use of own language in order to carry on the projects through giving
credibility to the authors (Leal-Rodriguez and Albort-Morant., 2019). It can be defined
as in the form where it is about stating something spoken or written in different words
specially into the shorter and simpler form to make the meaning more clearer. It is also
about restating the thoughts of someone else or ideas within their own words.
 Referencing: It is a type of activity of providing source of information which has been
taken into consideration through journals, books, articles etc (Lorica and Valenzuela.,
2021). Within the referencing, it is very important that when the individual is using
someone else's work then the individual must acknowledge the original source or sources.
It also means that acknowledging the own source in the body of the work and link the
citations to the list of works cited.

 Team work: The use of right kind of coordination and cooperation at the time of doing
team projects then it help in terms of attaining the success. Team work basically refers to
the collaborative effort of a group in order to achieve the goal or to complete the task into
the most effective and efficient manner. It is important because it help in terms of
achieving the bigger tasks within the shorter period of time.
These are the three examples which shows that academic integrity can be achieved at the
university level into effective and into result oriented terms as well.
TASK 3
Create a weekly schedule which shows that how the individual manage their study and the other
responsibilities and commitments for completing the studies successfully
A weekly schedule helps the individual to focus on each and every aspect of their daily
life and manages the time of study into effective terms with the right kind of
approach(Messenger., 2021). There are certain other responsibilities and commitments related to
study which helps them to grow into positive manner with the right kind of approach. For
completing the studies into successful terms, it is very important that to divide the time into
proper manner so that accurate time can be given to each and every subject with appropriate
parameter.
Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
6:00 am Wake up Wake up Wake up Wake up Wake up
6:30 am to 7:
30 am
Take the
breakfast
and get
ready
Take the
breakfast and
get ready
Take the
breakfast and
get ready
Take the
breakfast and
get ready
Take the
breakfast and
get ready
7: 30 to 8:00
am
Go to
University
Go to
University
Go to
University
Go to
University
Go to
University
8:30 to 10:30 Take the
classes
Take the
classes
Take the
classes
Take the
classes
Take the
classes
10:30 to 11 Break-time Break-time Break-time Break-time Break-time
11 am to 1
pm
Take the
classes
Take the
classes
Take the
classes
Take the
classes
Take the
classes
1 pm to 2 pm Co
curriculum
activities
Games Activities of
student
engagement
Co
curriculum
activities
Games
2 pm to 3 pm Go back to
home and
take rest
Go back to
home and
take rest
Go back to
home and
take rest
More
activities
More
activities
3 to 4 pm Work at Work at Work at Travel back Travel back

home home home to home and
rest
to home and
rest
4 to 6 Watching
shows and
other series
Watching
shows and
other series
Watching
shows and
other series
Cleaning of
house
Cleaning of
house
6 to 7:30 pm Read and
self-study
Read and
self-study
Read and
self-study
Read and
self-study
Read and
self-study
7:30 to 8: 30 Cooking of
food
Cooking of
food
Cooking of
food
Go out for
dinner
Go out for
dinner
9:00 pm Have food Have food Have food Spend time
with friends
Spend time
with friends
10:00 pm Sleep time Sleep time Sleep time Sleep time Sleep time
TASK 4
Refer to the audit of skills you completed in week and write the reflection on the development of
academic skills through studying the module
The reflection should incorporate the following points:
1. Identify the academic skills you have developed studying this module
At the time of studying module, it is difficult for me to enhance the my intellectual skills
and along with it I am able to understand the concept of academic integrity into detailed
form(Radovic Markovic and Salamzadeh., 2018). There is requirement of following the
integrity so that I am able to perform into effective terms while studying. While studying the
module, I am able to enhance my writing skills as these are important in order to carry out the
assignments.
2. What has gone well and why?
I am able to carry out all the projects which has assigned to me into appropriate terms due
to having appropriate information and communication technology skills(Rose and et.al., 2020).
These skills are very important in order to manage the work into suitable terms and also attain
the long and short term goals.
3. What did not go so well and why?
I am facing various issues into context of sourcing and referencing the information and
also I was not able to use the right sources and also gives the credibility of authors into effective
terms.
4. What lessons have you learnt from the experience of studying academic skills practice?

I have learnt about he right way of academic writing and paraphrasing as well. It help me
in terms of carrying out the projects into appropriate terms(Sainz and et.al., 2019). I have also
learnt that the studying of academic skills practice help me in terms of getting the independence,
self motivation, time management, team work, communication and resolving the conflicts into
shorter period of time as well.
5. What is one action that you will take forward to year one of your degree programme?
I will take forward referencing to the next year because it is one of the most important
topic which help in terms of giving the credibility. It is also very important that to give source
from the proper place from where the information is taken.
Academic writing and note taking
Use separate paragraphs to write about the following
1. Describe about the meaning of note taking and discuss their benefits to students
Note taking refers to the practice of recording information from the different sources and
platforms. Through taking the notes, the writer records the essence of information and also free
the mind from having to recall everything(Salvador., 2021). It is a kind of activity of making
notes in the class room which is related to the topics which has being taught in the class. It help
in terms of revising the topics from the future perspective and can recognise them into effective
manner as well.
2. Research 2 note taking methods and also state their advantages and disadvantages as well
The Cornell method: It is the method of discouraging the use of long sentences and
also about its short notes which can be write down in the right hand column with support of
recognisable symbols and abbreviations. Before the note-taking, it is important to draw up the
list of expressions and abbreviations. It is the process which makes the process of note-taking
even more easier. It basically provides the systematic form of making notes and organise them
into appropriate terms(Sedgley., 2020). It has certain advantages and disadvantages as well
which are defined into the following manner:
Advantages: One advantage of Cornell note taking method is that the notes are already
organised in a easy to understand and logical layout. In this way, it is easier to find the notes
from particular lectures and also easy to remember the points which has been discussed in the
class(Sainz and et.al., 2019). It also contribute in terms of outlining the records content and
relationships as well.

It also support into context of reducing the editing and also easy to review through turning the
main points into questions.
Disadvantages: This kind of note taking method also need more thoughts in the class for
the accurate organisation. It is basically the time taking process. It is that kind of note taking
section where the notes section can appear to be organised. It is a kind of system which does not
show the relationships through the sequence when it is required(Salvador., 2021). It also does
not lend to diversity of a review attach for maximum learning and question application. It is a
kind of system which cannot be used if the lecture is too fast.
Mapping method: It is a method which uses the comprehension skills/ concentration skills and
also evolves in note taking form that relates the each fact or idea to every other fact or idea. It is
basically the graphic representation of the centre of a lecture.
Advantages: The main advantage of this kind of note taking method is that there is intra
and inter relationships between the concepts and facts which is easily visible. It also help in
terms of analysing the mapped notes into efficient form(Sedgley., 2020). These kind of notes are
easy to edit through adding further branches and pictures and colours which facilitate the
memory and appeal to visual learning styles as well.
Disadvantages: Within this kind of note taking method, the thoughts and facts can b
difficult to distinguish and these kind of notes have to be used along side with the other methods.
It also requires strong concentration skills and it can get overwhelming for the complex subjects.
Gather the notes you have taken during this week in class and in the independent study
Academic integrity
Skills significance
 It includes those values which must be followed by students.
 These are the expectations of the researchers, teachers
which support the students to carry out the work
 It is necessary to have knowledge of academic integrity as it
supports in terms of working without any kind of problem
It is necessary to have academic integrity while studying at the university level and it helps to
carry out the projects on the right time and achieve good marks as well.

CONCLUSION
The above stated report concludes that academic skills are very important from the
organisational point of view and university as well. It has been concluded that skills audit need to
be conducted into positive manner and there are certain strengths and areas of improvement
according to university level which needs to be improved through an action plan. It has been
determined that there are certain examples through which academic integrity can be achieved
into result oriented terms. It has been observed that there is a weekly schedule which helps an
individual in improving their study pattern and also contribute in managing every aspect of their
life.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Achaleke, H. F., 2022. The Impact of Authentic Videos on Students’ Academic Presentation
Skills: the Case of TED Talks and International Business Management Students in
Ubon Ratchathani University. International Journal of English Language Studies, 4(3),
pp.52-57.
Bakhtiyari, S. V. and Tabassum, R., 2022. A Study on Analysis of the Current State of
Employment Skills Possessed by Post Graduate Management Students.
Barrena-Martínez and et.al., 2019. Towards a configuration of socially responsible human
resource management policies and practices: Findings from an academic consensus. The
International Journal of Human Resource Management, 30(17), pp.2544-2580.
Ashton-Hay, S. A. and Doncaster, N., 2021. Student success and retention: What’s academic
skills got to do with it?. Journal of Academic Language and Learning, 15(1), pp.102-
116.
Easterby-Smith and et.al., 2021. Management and business research. Sage.
Ferreira, J., Mueller, J. and Papa, A., 2018. Strategic knowledge management: theory, practice
and future challenges. Journal of knowledge management.
Ibay, S. B. and Pa-alisbo, M. A. C., 2020. An Assessment of the Managerial Skills and
Professional Development Needs of Private Catholic Secondary School Administrators
in Bangkok, Thailand. World Journal of Education, 10(1), pp.149-163.
Leal-Rodriguez, A. L. and Albort-Morant, G., 2019. Promoting innovative experiential learning
practices to improve academic performance: Empirical evidence from a Spanish
Business School. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 4(2), pp.97-103.
Lorica, R. and Valenzuela, P., 2021. Employers’ Preference on Employability Skills of Business
Management and Accounting Graduates. Journal of Academe and Industry
Research, 2(4), pp.70-89.
Messenger, H., 2021. Skills for business and management: A book review of Sedgley, M.(2020)
Skills for business and management. London: Red Globe Press. Journal of Learning
Development in Higher Education, (20).
Radovic Markovic, M. and Salamzadeh, A., 2018. The importance of communication in business
management. In Radovic Markovic, M., & Salamzadeh, A.(2018). The Importance of
Communication in Business Management, The 7th International Scientific Conference
on Employment, Education and Entrepreneurship, Belgrade, Serbia.
Rose and et.al., 2020. What drives success in English medium taught courses? The interplay
between language proficiency, academic skills, and motivation. Studies in Higher
Education, 45(11), pp.2149-2161.
Sainz and et.al., 2019. Time management: skills to learn and put into practice. Education+
Training.
Salvador, M. V., 2021. STUDENTS’PERCEPTIONS OF ESP ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS
THROUGH FLIPPED LEARNING DURING COVID-19. Journal of Language and
Education, 7(4 (28)), pp.107-116.
Sedgley, M., 2020. Skills for business and management. Bloomsbury Publishing.