Academic Skills Portfolio

Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001)
This is your Academic Skills ONLINE Portfolio. Please save a copy on your computer and back it up
regularly ( e.g. by saving it on your computer / in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive) / emailing it to yourself. You
will receive a printed copy which you should bring to all lectures and tutorials. However, at the end of the
course, you need to submit this electronic copy. Please refer to suggested word counts for each task included
within this portfolio.
The deadline for
uploading the
online portfolio
is:
2
Assessed Learning
Outcomes:
Show evidence of
understanding core
components of academic
literacy/skills.
Apply critical thought to a
range of tasks, and do so
with a minimum of
external guidance in
particular situations.
To reflect, analyse and
discuss strengths,
weaknesses, and
opportunities personally
and academically.
Use appropriate
technologies to facilitate
the completion of self-
analysis/reflection.
Week Table of
Contents
Page Learning
Outcome
Section 1: Portfolio
Evidence
( These t asks will be drafted
in class and are designed to
inform the written tasks in s
ection 1; S uggested word
counts are included in
brackets where appropriate.)
1 Self-evaluation
checklist
3 LO 3 & 4

1 Personal SWOT
analysis (suggested
word count: 200 words)
4 LO 3 & 4
2 Structuring your writing
(including examples
and evidence)
6 LO 1 & 2
3 Quantitative data
analysis (suggested
word count: 300 words)
7-8 LO 1 & 2
4 Evaluating sources and
referencing (suggested
word count 150 words)
9 LO 1 & 2
5 Synthesising and in-text
citations (suggested
word count: 250 words)
10 LO 1 & 2
7 Presenting your
assignment (include
screen shot)
11 LO 1

8 Editing and proof
reading your portfolio:
using the marking
criteria to get a first!
12-13 LO 1 & 3
9 Post-presentation
reflection
14 LO 3 & 4
10 End of course self-
evaluation checklist
15 LO 3 & 4
10 Personal development
plan (PDP) (suggested
word count: )
16 LO 3 & 4
Section 2: Written
Tasks
(T hese written tasks should
be developed throughout the
semester but compl eted in
weeks 9-11)
1-10 Academic writing
[degree-specific focus
related to The UK’s exit
from The European
Union] (900 words)
17-18 LO1
9 & 10 Reflective writing:
summary (300 words)
19 LO 3& 4
Writing word count: Academic writing (900 words), Reflective writing (300 words) and a minimum of
600 words in total on the other tasks
(+/- 10 % )
SECTION 1: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Week 1: self-evaluation checklist
Below is a list of the skills you will need during your university and professional career. Tick (✓) the
appropriate box for each skill, according to how well you think you can do this.
Skills Do not
know about
this
Find this
difficult/
can’t do
this
Can
partially do
this
Can do this
well
Looking for information
Identify which books/journals/websites to use ☐ ☐  ☐
Select relevant parts of a text ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Evaluate sources ☐ ☐  ☐
Using sources
Acknowledge sources of information ☐ ☐  ☐
Synthesize information from more than one source ☐  ☐ ☐
Write a reference list correctly  ☐ ☐ ☐
Avoid plagiarism ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Planning/ writing
version 1.0 3

Brainstorm ideas ☐ ☐  ☐
Plan written work ☐ ☐  ☐
Link ideas effectively ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Paraphrase & summarise ideas ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Write an introduction ☐ ☐  ☐
Write a conclusion ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Critically edit written work ☐ ☐  ☐
Independent study
Work independently (without lecturers) ☐  ☐ ☐
Work as part of a (study) group ☐ ☐  ☐
Oral presentation
Give a presentation on my work ☐ ☐  ☐
Brainstorm ideas with peers ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Discuss written work in a tutorial ☐ ☐  ☐
Deal effectively with questions ☐  ☐ ☐
IT
Access the internet ☐ ☐  ☐
Use search engines ☐  ☐ ☐
Create word documents ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Use PowerPoint ☐ ☐  ☐
SECTION 1:
PORTFOLIO
EVIDENCE
Week 1:
Personal SWOT
analysis
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBOtnyt7BP4
In-class activity: In pairs conduct interviews to create a personal SWOT analysis.
Internal
STRENGTHS
[Things within my control]
WEAKNESSES
[Personal barriers; things stopping me, but still within my control
1. I have adequate amount of confidence so as to present
myself effectively.
1. Reliability of collected data is a question as it have direct impact
on the results.
2. Knowledge related to the subject helps in putting up the best
at front.
2. Time management can be an issue as it can affect the reliability
of overall project
3. Brainstorming ideas helps in receiving the best idea that can
be used in the subject matter
3. I am Aggressive in nature and hence get agitated very easily
4 Top 5 Strengths/talents (Gallup test):
 I am patient enough
 I have helpful nature which can further assist the team
4. I become impulsive and react on small things.
version 1.0 4

mates
 I am innovative enough while working on a certain
project.
 I get creative ideas based on which the project can be
made effective
 I am optimistic in nature which always motivates me
to work
External
OPPORTUNITIES
[People, resources, opportunities]
THREATS
[ Things outside of my control ]
1. To develop analytical skills 1. Changes in the theories can deviate the results
2. To enhance the knowledge of subject 2. Financial constraint can reduce the access to the secondary data
from paid websites
3. To brainstorm data in order to reach to effective results 3. Planning constraint as I am not very good at planning and
managing things
4. To work efficiently and effectively to achieve the desired
goals.
4. Lack of knowledge regarding the subject
Discuss: how are you going to overcome your
weaknesses and minimise the threats? ( approx
100 words )
The weakness can be minimized by considering time management while considering the subject and
perform adequate market research so that appropriate data can be collected which is reliable enough to conduct
the study. Aggression and impulsive nature can be controlled through calm nature. Threats can be controlled by
keep an eye over changing environment further finding the method through which optimum utilization of the
resources can be initiated.
version 1.0 5

SECTION 1: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Week 2: Structuring your writing
During your lecture and tutorial you will learn how to group ideas and develop paragraphs to give
structure to your academic writing. You can use the outline below as a model, although others will be
discussed in your lectures and tutorials.
Title
:
1.0 An introduction (150 words) [ use evidence/ research throughout ]
• What is your question about? (give the background to your topic)
• Include some detail on the topic (narrow your focus; what exactly are you focusing on?) Who are the key ideas/
people involved/ organisations etc.?)
• What will your report show? Be specific [you should write this section last]
2.0 Discussion point 1: .................................... (300 words) [ Use evidence/ research throughout ]:
• Identify one point from your area of focus and say why it is a key issue.  Describe how leaving the EU will
impact on this  What are the opportunities it could create?
• What are the possible problems?
• What can you conclude from this? What are the implications?
3.0 Discussion point 2: .................................... (300 words) [ Use evidence/ research throughout ]:
• Identify another point from your area of focus and say why it is a key issue.  Describe how leaving the EU will
impact on this  What are the opportunities it could create?
• What are the possible problems?
• What can you conclude from this? What are the implications?
4.0 Conclusion (150 words) [refer back to key evidence/ research]
 Give a summary of your key points from 2 & 3
• Include a summary of your key conclusions from both 2 & 3  What would you recommend needs to happen
now?
SECTION 1: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Week 2: Structuring your writing
Write a detailed plan here for your report or essay – showing what information you are planning to put
in each section. Remember as you do more research this plan might change so keep it up to date to
help you to write a well-structured report or essay. You can find the subject specific topics in the
assessment section of the GSM Learn academic skills page.
Title: UK's exist from European Union
Introduction: The heading will include background of the topic “ UK's exist from European Union.
Further, it will include brief knowledge regarding Brexit. Moreover, few points that will be covered in
the report will be stated in brief.
Discussion point 1: The discussion will include concept of Brexit and its impacts on the economic
condition of the country. Further, detail discussion will be made on various causes of Brexit in Britain
Discussion point 2: Another important point of discussion will be made on effect of Brexit on
country's functioning. Key elements of negotiation between EU and UK with respect to Brexit process
will also be assessed.
version 1.0 6