Reflective Summary of Academic Skills Module

This assignment requires students to write a 300-word reflective summary about their experience in the Academic Skills module. The summary should be structured using Gibbs' reflective model and focus on two key aspects: the experience of working in a study group for an academic project, including insights gained from post-presentation reflections; and one key academic skill developed during the module.

Academic Skills Portfolio
(module code: ACSK4001)
This is your Academic Skills Portfolio, which should be submitted by Thursday 26th April, 2pm via your student
portal.
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).
Please refer to suggested word counts for each task included within this portfolio.
Table of Contents
Task Page Week LO
SECTION A: PORTFOLIO
EVIDENCE (These tasks will

Portfolio evidence 1: Self-evaluation checklist 3 1 & 10 3&4
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 2

Portfolio evidence 2. Personal SWOT analysis 4 1 3&4
Portfolio evidence 3. Evaluating sources & critically engaging with texts 5 2 1&2
Portfolio evidence 4. Synthesising 7 3 & 5 1&2
Portfolio evidence 5. Structuring your writing 9 3, 4, 5, 6,
7 1&2
Portfolio evidence 6: Presenting & analysing data 10 4 1&2
Portfolio evidence 7: Presentation 12 7-9 1
Portfolio evidence 8: Editing & proofreading 14 9 & 10 1&3
SECTION B: WRITING
TASKS (These written tasks
Writing Task 1 (Report or Essay) 16 1-10 1
Writing Task 2 (Reflective Summary) 17 10 3&4
Word count (+/- 10%):
Section A: a minimum of 600 words in total.
Section B: Writing Task 1 (900 words), Writing Task 2 (300 words)
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 3

SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Task 1: Self-evaluation Checklist (to be completed in weeks 1 & 10)
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. You should complete this
task twice; first, at the beginning of this course (week 1), and, second, at the end of this course (week 10).
Skills
How well do
I feel that I
know/can
do this in
weeks 1 and
10?
Informatio
n skills
Do not know
about this
Find this
difficult/ can’t
do this
Can partially
do this
Can do this
well
WEEK
1 WEEK 10 WEEK
1 WEEK 10 WEEK
1 WEEK 10 WEEK
1 WEEK 10
Identify
which
books/jou
rnals/web
sites to
use
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Select
relevant
parts of a
text
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Evaluate
sources
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Acknowle
dge
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Synthesiz
e
☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
Write a
reference
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Avoid
plagiaris
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Do not know
about this
WEEK
1
WEEK
10
Brainstor
m ideas
☐ ☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐
Plan
written
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Link ideas
effectivel
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Paraphras
e &
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write an
introducti
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 4

Write a
conclusio
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Critically
edit
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Do not know
about this
WEEK
1
WEEK
10
Work
independ
☐ ☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐
Work as
part of a
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Do not know
about this
WEEK
1
WEEK
10
Give a
presentati
☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐
Brainstor
m ideas
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Discuss
written
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Deal
effectivel
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Do not know
about this
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 5

WEEK
1
WEEK
10
Access
the
☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐
Use
search
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Create
word
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use
PowerPoi
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
SECTION
A:
PORTFOL
IO
EVIDENC
E
Task 2:
Pers
onal
SW
OT
anal
ysis
(to
be
com
plete
d in
wee
k 1)
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBOtnyt7BP4 .
In-class activity: In pairs conduct interviews to create a personal SWOT analysis.
INTERNAL (coming from
me)
STRENGTHS
[Things within my control]
WEAKNESSES
[Personal barriers; things stopping
me, but still within my control]
How are you going to overcome your
weaknesses?
(approx. 50 words)
1. I have a good skill of
collecting relevant information
from authentic resources.
1. I am an introvert person, so I
am unable of working with a
team.
In order to overcome my biggest
weakness of not understanding the
concepts of brief, I need to pay attention
on my reading as well as learning skills.2. I can provide an enhanced
reference list for the
information that I have
included.
2. I need a help or guidance
from my mentor.
3. I have effective oral
presenting skills.
3. I am unable to understand
brief to answer its questions in
more effective as well as
efficient way.
4. Top 5 Strengths/talents 4. I am not so efficient in
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 6

(from Gallup test):
1) Planning skills
2) Presenting skills
3) Creative skills
4) Effective writing skills
5) Good collection of
information
preparing a power point
presentation which is an
essential skill required in the job
to be performed by me.
EXTERNAL (coming from
outside)
OPPORTUNITIES
[People, resources, opportunities]
THREATS
[Things outside of my control]
How are you going to minimise the
threats?
(approx. 50 words)
1. I have the opportunity of
understanding the facts
included in brief, as am capable
of realising the requirement of
each task to be performed.
1. The biggest threat relating to
my academic skills is my
introvert and reserved
behaviour.
With a view of managing my threats, I
have to change my reserved behaviour
and interact with different personnel,
who are working with me on the same
project.
2. I can make use of online
lectures in order to prepare
effective power point
presentation slides.
2. The incapabilities on my part
relating to performing a task in
a group may result in adverse
effect on my performance.
3. I can also manage to work in
a team.
3. I have the inability to prepare
a presentation slides, which is
again a threat to my academic
skills.
4. I can make use of my writing
skills in more enhanced way,
which would in turn increase
my capabilities and qualities of
answering a particular question.
4. The competitors and their
qualities, can also lead to my
inefficient performance of a
particular task.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 7

SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Task 3: Evaluating sources & critically engaging with texts (to be completed after week 2)
In your study groups, evaluate 3 different texts from your reading list, or texts you have found yourselves. You can
also find texts on the Academic Skills area on GSM Learn page. Make notes below.
Text A ↓ Text B ↓ Text C ↓
Resource type
(e.g. book, journal et.c.)
Book Book Journal
Citation/reference Kari Mari & Marit, 2016. Julia, 2014 McWilliams and Allan, 2014
Authority
The content included in
this article is
authenticate.
The authority of this
article and the content
included in it is
authenticate.
The authority of this article
lies with its publisher and it
is authentic.
Currency
The currency recorded for
this text is worth reading
by the readers.
The currency recorded
for this is derived to be
as useful by students.
The currency value that has
been held by this text is
worth to be read by its
target audience.
Content
The content includes role
to be performed by
teachers in order to
provide effective
guidance to students.
This text includes a kind
of debate on use of facts
included on Wikipedia
sites.
The present text includes a
generic model to be used
by lecturers in order to
provide effective learning
sessions for its students.
Accuracy
The content that has
been included in this
article is accurate and
authenticate at moderate
level, as it is suitable only
for higher standard
students.
Content of this article
has proved to accurate
as well as authenticated.
This article and the facts
included in it are proved to
be accurate.
Audience
The audiences that has
been targeted by this text
are those students who
are appearing for higher
levels.
The target audiences of
this article are the
lecturer who are
assigning different
projects to students.
The audience for whom this
text is generated is
lecturers who provide
teaching programmes to
students appearing for
higher education.
Further notes/
comments
The text or article
includes guidelines to be
followed by teachers in
order to undertake
effective generation of
academic skills and
knowledge for students.
Wikipedia has been
given a sense of
authenticity as well as
accuracy in the context
of including its findings
related to a particular
fact, to be included in
project works.
The present text
emphasizes on undertaking
the practice of embedded
academic literacy skills to
be generated in students by
their respective tutors.
SECTION A:
PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 8

Task 4: Synthesising
(to be completed
in weeks 3 & 5)
Part I: Identifying key ideas
Read the 3 texts you used in the previous task.
Think about the extent to which the authors of those 3 texts agree or disagree with each other.
Write (in note form/bullet points) the key ideas of those 3 texts. Use your own words (paraphrase). Don’t forget to
complete the references information.
Text A:
Key ideas:
The present article emphasises on teachers to play an effective role for generating
skill based knowledge on the part of students appearing for higher education
(Stephens, Hamedani, and Destin, 2014).
 In-text
citation/Oscola
footnote (Law)
 reference list
Stephens, N.M., Hamedani, M.G. and Destin, M., 2014. Closing the social-class
achievement gap: A difference-education intervention improves first-generation
students’ academic performance and all students’ college transition. Psychological
science, 25(4), pp.943-953.
Text B:
Key ideas:
The basic idea or purpose of this article is to provide authenticity to the facts as
well as findings included in Wikipedia sites ( Südkamp, Kaiser and Möller, 2012).
 In-text
citation/Oscola
footnote (Law)
 reference list
Südkamp, A., Kaiser, J. and Möller, J., 2012. Accuracy of teachers' judgments of students'
academic achievement: A meta-analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 104(3), p.743.
Text C:
Key ideas:
The key idea to be taken into consideration by this text is to generate a generic
model for learners by their respective teachers (Arnold and et.al., 2012).
 In-text
citation/Oscola
Arnold and et.al., 2012. The association between preschool children's social functioning
and their emergent academic skills. Early childhood research quarterly, 27(3), pp.376-386.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 9

footnote (Law)
 reference list
Part II: Synthesising (suggested word count: 200 words)
Think about the areas the authors of the 3 texts you made notes on agree or disagree.
Write up a paragraph which synthesises (combines) the main points of the 3 texts you used in Part I and shows
how the authors agree or disagree.
Remember to include in-text citations or OSCOLA footnote (Law) and link your ideas using linking words!
The first article that has been used in the above discussion is relating to the lecture's skills of providing
effective literacy skills that has to be taken into consideration by lecturers in order to generate
effective skills as well as knowledge on the part of students (Allan and et.al., 2014). This article is
aimed at creating changes in the educational system and practices that have been followed in the
context of same. The next article that has been included in this report includes a kind of debate to be
represented in order to authenticate findings that have been uploaded on Wikipedia sites and allow
students to include those facts in their research process. It involves a personal development plan to be
taken into consideration by both teachers as well as students. The last text that has been discussed
above deals with embedded academic literacy skills to be adopted by lecturers in order to provide a
generic teaching practices to students, which further leads to an effective generation of skill as well as
knowledge on their part. It describes the key features that have been analysed as the driving force for
success of teaching sessions undertaken by learners inn order to create an effective academic literacy
programme.
Allan and et.al., 2014. Relations between inhibitory control and the development of academic skills in preschool
and kindergarten: A meta-analysis. Developmental Psychology. 50(10). p.2368.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 10

SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Task 5: Structuring your writing (to be completed in weeks 2,3,4,5,6,7)
During your lecture and tutorial you will learn how to organise your academic writing in section B.
This is more or less the way you should structure your academic writing in section B:
Structuring academic writings is an important concept to be taken into consideration while
undertaking writing of academic skills. A well structured academic writing report results in enabling its
reader to understand each and every fact that has been supported as well as negotiated, along with the
reasons for same. In general terms, a writing that involves a proper structure of information provided
ensures an effective understanding of each fact and outcome generated (Cottrell, 2013). Some of the
common structure that can be used are
 Three party essay structure: With a view of adopting an effective structured writing, an
introduction, main body and a conclusion must be included in the report. It is the most common
way of structuring a writing or a report.
 IMRaD structure: As per this structure, an introduction method, results and discussion must be
included in the report. This type of structure is used in the context of preparing complex reports.
References list
Cottrell, S., 2013. The study skills handbook. Palgrave Macmillan.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 11

Follow the structure in the previous page to write notes (outline) below about what you will include in
your academic writing task (report or essay). Your notes do not need to be written in full sentences and
you can use symbols/abbreviations/listings and other note-making techniques.
Your notes should show what information you are planning to put in each section. You can add or
remove things later, if you change your mind.
My academic writing task outline
Topic:
(Find the subject specific
topics on GSM Learn).
The exit of Britain from European Union
Introduction: The exit of Britain from European Union
is widely termed as Brexit. Brexit was a decision taken
by UK government, in order to avoid involvement of
EU in its decision making policy and become a free
economy.
Main body: It was taken into consideration with a
view of removing trade barriers in Britain, however,
the impacts that has been generated as a result of
Brexit are not only positive but also, negative, as it
has led to dissolution of many trade agreements with
other countries that were included in European
Union, which resulted in adverse effect on UK's
economy (McCormick, 2017).
Conclusion: the above findings can briefly conclude
that, as every coin has two sides, likewise, the Brexit
that has been taken into consideration by UK has
achieved its objective of becoming a free economy,
but it has also resulted in some adverse effects, due
to dissolution of trade agreements that were made
with several other economies.
McCormick, J., 2017. Understanding the European Union: a concise introduction. Palgrave.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 12

Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 13

SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Task 6: Presenting & analysing data (to be completed in week 4)
Part I: Presenting data
Cut and paste the graph you discussed in the tutorial here and give it a title. You can find it on the
Academic Skills page on GSM Learn. Remember to write a full Harvard or OSCOLA reference for it and
add a title.
Title: Brexit
Graph:
Reference:
Brexit, 2017. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-the-general-
election-in-five-graphs>
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 14

Part II: Analysing data (approx. 300 words)
Discuss the graph in the previous page with other students. Focus your discussion on the points below:
1. A description your data (What is it? Where does it come from? What area is it
focussing on?).
2. A summary on what the data shows in general.
3. One or two areas of the data looked at in detail and an explanation of why you
think they are significant.
4. The important trends and differences/comparisons in the areas you have
chosen.
5. Possible explanations for what the data is showing (remember to reference
wider research to back your ideas up).
6. A recommendation for further action that could arise from this data.
Individually, analyse the graph below. Write a paragraph (approx. 300 words) including the areas in the
box above. Remember to refer to the graph/chart using correct OSCOLA or Harvard style in-text citation.
The graph that has been presented above represents the data related to Brexit, which defines the
situation of exit of UK from EU. It considers the fact that, Brexit was not a biggest issue that has been
considered by many due to its occurrence. It briefly includes the data relating to voting that have been
conducted in order to determine effectiveness of Brexit, with a view point of others as well. As per the
labour section, 8% considered that, Brexit was not an issue, while, as per SNP 13% of population
agreed with the fact that it is not a major issue to be considered. Amongst all the considered groups in
this graph, Tory group scored maximum of people that were in support of Brexit, so it can be
concluded that, mostly, the Britain population was against the exit of UK from European Union
(Silverman, 2016).
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 15

SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Task 7: Presentation (to be completed in weeks 7 - 9)
At university, you are often asked to present your research. In week 9 you will deliver a short 10-minute
presentation (7 minutes delivery + 3 minutes for Qs) in class to a small group. You should base your
presentation on one key point (one main section/paragraph) from your assignment using the following
structure for guidance with suggested timings:
 Title page: including your name and title
 Give a very brief overview of what your 7-minute presentation will cover (30 secs)
 Introduction: Identify one point from your assignment and say why it is a key point (1minute)
 Briefly describe how leaving the EU will impact on this (1 min 30s)
 What is one potential opportunity it could create? (1 min 30s)
 What is one possible problem? ( 1min 30s)
 What can you conclude from this? What are the implications/ your recommendations? (1min)
 You should refer to evidence/ research throughout your presentation.
 Be prepared to answer questions (3 mins) at the end of your presentation.
Part I: Presentation planning (slides or notes / weeks 7-9)
Provide evidence here to show that you have planned your presentation. This could take the form of a
detailed plan or PowerPoint slides (no PDF files).
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 16

McCormick, J., 2017. Understanding the European Union: a concise introduction. Palgrave.
Walker, A. and Maltby, T., 2012. Active ageing: A strategic policy solution to demographic ageing in the European
Union. International Journal of Social Welfare, 21(s1).
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 17

Part II: Post-presentation reflection (week 9)
At University and work you’ll often be asked to provide feedback, and reflect on your performance and that of
your peers and colleagues. Using the table below, write notes about your presentation. You should include any
points of interest in your reflective writing task in section B.
Your groups’ comment about your presentation
Content
(How clear, complete and informative
was the presentation?)
The information that was included in presentation, was brief and
comprehensive.
Audience Engagement
(How enjoyable / interesting did the
audience find it?)
The other students were interested in listening presentation, as it was a
current topic.
Organisation
(How well-structured was it? How
well did the visuals support it?)
It was well structured with an introduction, main body and a conclusion.
Professionalism
(How slick and professional was it?)
It was professional enough as it includes authenticate data.
Your reflection on your presentation
Content
(How clear, complete and informative
was the presentation?)
The content included was clear enough to provide relevant information to
audience.
Audience Engagement
(How enjoyable / interesting did the
audience find it?)
As per my opinion, the audience was enjoyable.
Organisation
(How well-structured was it? How
well did the visuals support it?)
The structure of presentation was well defined.
Professionalism
(How slick and professional was it?)
It was highly professional, with a little slick information.
Action Points
(What could you do better in future presentations?)
In order to avoid the slick information that has been
included in my current presentation, I would collect more
relevant information from different authentic sources.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 18

Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 19

SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Task 8: Editing & proofreading (to be completed in weeks 9 & 10)
Part I: Self-evaluation form
Type a few comments below in relation to how well you have addressed the following areas in your portfolio. You
should complete this task after you have finished everything else.
AREA COMMENTS
KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING How well have you done this? How do you know?
1. Portfolio tasks
I have included all the relevant data that I have asked to
provide with.
2. Paraphrasing & summarising
I have summarised all the relevant information included in it.
3. Research & support of ideas with
evidence
I have evidenced all my works with proper referencing of
online sites.
INTELLECTUAL & COGNITIVE SKILLS How well have you done this? How do you know?
4. Introduction & conclusion
The introduction and conclusion part is well enough to
understand scope of project.
5. Structure of paragraphs / sections
The paragraphs that have been used are well structured.
6. Use of sources
The sources that have used are authentic.
7. Recommendations in conclusion
There are no such recommendations included in my conclusion
of workings.
GRADUATE SKILLS How well have you done this? How do you know?
8. Word count requirements
The word count is as per the guidelines provided.
9. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation
There are no such spelling errors and grammatical mistakes
included.
10. Writing style
The style of writing used is as per the guidelines provided.
11. Referencing style
The style of referencing is Harvard.
12. Awareness of your strengths and
weaknesses
I have analysed my strengths and weaknesses in more
effective way.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 20

Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 21

Part II: Reflection on the quality of your work
STRENGTHS: What are the strengths of your work?
Type at least 3 short bullet points here:
 Relevant information: I have included all the relevant information in the report.
 Sources: The sources from which I have generated information is authentic.
 Comprehensive introduction and conclusion: The intro and conclusion part included is
comprehensive enough that it makes the reader understand each fact in detail.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: What are some areas of your work you could have done better at?
Type at least 3 short bullet points here:
 Word count: The word count has been a little mesmerised.
 Style of writing: The style that has been used in writing is not so effective.
 Information: Information that has been included in this report is very much comprehensive, i.e. it is
not in detail.
SECTION B: WRITING TASKS
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 22

Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 23

Writing Task 1: Report (all students except law) or Essay (Law students)