Academic Skills Portfolio

This Academic Skills Portfolio is a comprehensive guide for students to develop essential academic skills. It includes tasks on evaluating sources, discussing data, academic writing, presentation skills, and reflective writing. The portfolio is designed to help students improve their critical thinking, research, communication, and self-reflection abilities.

Autumn 2018
Academic Skills Portfolio
(module code: ACSK4001)
This is your Academic Skills Portfolio, which should be submitted by Thursday 20th December, 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 Pag
e Week LO
Task 1: Evaluating sources & critically engaging with texts 3 3 1&2
Task 2: Discussing data 4 6 1&2
Task 3: Academic Writing 7 1-10 1
Task 4: Presentation 8 9 1
1

Task 5: Reflective writing 10 9-10 3&4
Word count: 1,800 (+/- 10%)
 Task 1: 300 words
 Task 2: 300 words
 Task 3:700 words
 Task 4: 200 words Task 5: 300 words
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TASK 1
Evaluating sources & critically engaging with texts (to be completed in week 3)
(Word count: 300 words)
Evaluate 3 texts by completing the following table. Text A is the same for every student and is shown next
to the citation/reference box. For Texts B and C you can choose texts that you are planning to use as
references in your academic writing task. You can use texts from your reading list or texts you have found
yourselves or texts recommended by your lecturer. Make notes for Texts A, B, C below.
Text A ↓
All students should
use the text shown in
the box (also available
on GSM Learn).
Text B ↓
This is a text of your
choice.
Text C ↓
This is a text of your
choice.
Citation/
reference
Raise Your Voice.
2018. [Online]
Available
through:<https://u
xmag.com/articles
/raise-your-voice>.
When To Raise Your
Voice And When To
Shut Up. 2013.
[Online] Available
through:<https://ww
w.advantage4parents
.com/article/getting-
heard-when-to-raise-
your-voice-and-
when-to-shut-up/>.
.
Raise your voice for a
sustainable future!
. 2017. [Online]
Available
through:<https://www.luc
sus.lu.se/article/raise-
your-voice-for-a-
sustainable-future>.
Resource type
(e.g. book,
journal et.c.)
Journal Journal Journal articles
Authority
(Who is the
author? Is he/she
qualified to speak
on this topic?)
The author of this
articles is Alan Tifford.
Yes, she is qualified to
speak on this topic.
The author of this articles
is the Patricia Nan
Anderson and she is
playing her role as the
acclaimed educational
psychologist.
The author of this articles
has explained about the
raising the voice in
relation to achieve the
three things by the end of
2030 that is extreme
poverty, inequality and
climate change. Thus, it
provides the unique
opportunity to learn and
create the activities so
there is possibilities to
sustain future.
Currency
(Is the text up-to-
date?)
Yes it is defined in the
up to date manner.
Yes, the articles that has
been provided it is in the
up to date manner.
Yes, this articles is
related to the subject
topic as to bring the
sustainability in future
and it is provided in up to
date manner.
Content
(Is the content
relevant to your
topic?)
Yes, the content is
relevant to the topic.
The topic is relevant to
the content.
Yes, this is the topic and
it is relevant to the
content.
3

Accuracy
(Are any facts &
ideas supported
with evidence?
The accuracy of this file
is related with
identifying the amazing
experience for the
customers.
This is the file that is
based on identifying the
early childhood learning
that at that time there is
need to raise the voice
and what time there is no
need to raise the voice.
This is the topic is based
on identifying the way
with help of which there
can be possibilities in
order to bring
sustainability in future
with the help of extreme
poverty, inequality and
climate change.
Audience
(Who is this text
written for?)
The customers are the
audiences.
The children are the
audience and the research
has been taken in order to
provide the depth
knowledge to them.
The audience are the
student and they have to
read about the global
sustainable development
goals.
Further notes/
comments
No No No
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TASK 2
Discussing data (to be completed in week 6)
(Word count: 300 words)
Part I: Presenting data
Cut and paste the graph you used 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: To identify the Impact of Brexit on the growth of the enterprise.
Graph:
Reference
:
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Part II: Analysing data – Compulsory in-class task (ACSK tutorial, week 6)
Write a handwritten paragraph in your week 6 tutorial class addressing the areas in the box below.
Remember to refer to the graph/chart using correct OSCOLA or Harvard style in-text citation.
1. A description of 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.
1. (COMPULSORY TASK, to be completed in-class): Paste a picture of the handwritten paragraph
you wrote in-class, with your tutor’s signature, here. Please do NOT type the paragraph here.
Note: If you could not attend your week 6 tutorial class, please e-mail the module leader.
Brexit is the terms that affects the overall working of the enterprise. There are number of the factors
that can affect due to the issue of Brexit. On the other hand they must work as to continue attracting
and retaining the people so that they can perform their job role in terms to have the use of best skills
and potential for their needs. IN this, it can be said that to maintain the effective working it is essential
to develop the strategies that will help to hire the suitable candidates so that the things can be taken in
better and attractive manner. Thus, with help of hiring the suitable candidate the firm can take the
initiatives in order to make the efforts to conduct the suitable strategy that can helps to make and
develop the better and attractive retention of the customers in market. This kind of the strategy will be
crucial in order to make the better environment, the recruitment issues and the one of the key
components is that to plan and to determine the each things in the better manner there is essential to
make the suitable coordination of the all activities, the enterprise need to hire the suitable candidates so
that all things can be taken in the better and attractive manner.
2. (To be completed independently): Re-write the paragraph you wrote in-class, making improvements.
Type your improved paragraph below.
6

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TASK 3
Academic Writing (to be completed in weeks 1-10)
(Word count: 700 words – suggested word counts for each section are outlined below)
Check the assessment section of the Academic Skills page on GSM Learn for your programme-specific
topic. You must choose a different sub-topic from the one you may have chosen in a previous
attempt. Write your answers in the boxes below (please do NOT insert PDFs or screenshots).
Remember: The presentation of your writing should reflect the type of text you have been asked to
write (e.g. reports need to have appropriate headings).
All students are reminded that Plagiarism, Collusion and Ghost writing are forms of cheating which
will be investigated in accordance with GSM’s Academic Misconduct Regulations.
Law students with a proven academic offence (as outlined above) are reported to the Solicitors
Regulation Authority and The Bar Council, which can prevent a student from being admitted into the
legal profession.
Part I: Introduction
Type your introduction in the box below (approx.100-150 words).
 Retention is the term that is taken by the firm in order to retain the employee for the
longer time in accordance with providing the satisfaction measures so that all things can
be done in the efficient manner. On the other hand, recruitment is also essential and it is
conducted by the higher authorities of the enterprise so that there can be hiring of the
skilled individual to carry out the business function systematically.
 The retention and recruitment both are the essential terms in order to conduct the
business activities in the appropriately manner. In this, the harsh impact can be seen after
the partition of the EU laws from the union.
 After separation of EU from UK the number of the job opportunity are enhanced and this
is providing the greater impact on the working of the individual. The negative impact can
be seen as to man y of the individual has to leave the job and thus retention level of the
companies has been affected in badly manner.
Part II: Discussion
Type your discussion part in the box below (approx.400-500 words).
The Brexit has affected the hiring strategies in the worst manner. In addition to this, global demand for
the hiring strategies and it can be identified the as there after the issue of Brexit the demand of the
aviation skill has been affected in the badly manner. Furthermore, it can be said that there are is
fundamental change in the role of recruiter. In this, it can be said that the working on the current can
also affects the recruitment sector. There were two issue in relation to this is as candidates was not
wants to leave their current roles and secondly employers whose budget is under the scrutiny than it
can affect the total working.
In this, for the many employees it has impacted in the negative manner. In addition to this, it can be
said that Brexit has impact the industries, functions and boarders. Thus, recruiters may think of the
creatively and the legislation are need to be followed. At this time, there were some sectors and that all
requires the extra resource in order to prepare the business for impeding the changes. under it,
recruiters pre-empt that there is need to essential to be compliance with all kind of legislations. After
the issue of Brexit, the organisation were taking many steps in order to placing the greater focus over
the developing the existing staff and enhancing the communications and opportunities to listen to the
employees and this also exercise the more caution in the facilities as recruiting.
Under it, so many potential changes can be faced and this all are affecting the working of the enterprise
in the huge context. With the help of hiring the best employees it can be possible to bring better
working.
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Part III: Conclusion
Type your conclusion in the box below (approx.100-150 words).
Based on the above it can be concluded that the Brexit has impact the working of the enterprise in the
great manner. This report has evaluated the harsh impact of the Brexit on the recruitment and retention
facilities. In addition to this, this report will cover the following things as impact of Brexit and their
other related issues and this all need to be done in the better mode. Thus, the better strategies has been
discussed so it can be possible to conduct the better retention and recruitment facilities.
Part IV: References
Type your references below.
Brown, R., Liñares-Zegarra, J.M. and Wilson, J.O., 2018. What Happens If the Rules
Change? The Impact of Brexit on the Future Strategic Intentions of UK SMEs. The
Impact of Brexit on the Future Strategic Intentions of UK SMEs (March 1, 2018).
Crowley, M., Exton, O. and Han, L., 2018. Renegotiation of Trade Agreements and
Firm Exporting Decisions: Evidence from the Impact of Brexit on UK Exports.
Lai, K.P. and Pan, F., 2018. Brexit and shifting geographies of financial centres in
Asia. Geoforum.
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TASK 4
Presentation (to be completed in weeks 7 - 9)
(Word count: 200 words)
You will deliver a 7-minute presentation (including visual aids) to other students in your tutorial class in
week 9.
You should base your presentation on one academic skill you consider important for university students
on your programme of study. You can use sources from the academic skills reading skills on GSM Learn
to prepare your presentation.
You can use the following structure for guidance with suggested timings:
 Title page (your name and a title for your presentation)
 Overview of what your 7-minute presentation will cover (30 secs)
 Introduction: Identify one academic skill and briefly describe it (1minute).
 Explain how it can be developed (1-2 minutes).
 Explain why this skill is important (2-3 minutes).
 Finish your presentation with a summary? (1min)
 Ask your audience for questions / observations.
 Reference list
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 your PowerPoint slides (no PDF files). If you copy your slides here, please make sure
that they are legible.
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Part II: Post-presentation reflection (week 9)
Using the table below, write notes about your presentation. You should make notes of:
a. Your group’s comment about your presentation.
b. Your reflection on your presentation.
c. What you could improve in future presentations.
You should include any points of interest in your reflective writing task in section B.
Your groups’ comment about your preshttps://uxmag.com/articles/raise-your-voiceentation
Content
(How clear, complete and informative was the presentation?) I made the presentation
in the clear and grater
manner.
Audience Engagement
(How enjoyable / interesting did the audience find it?)
The presentation was so
enjoyable as I made it on
the topic of the
communication.
Organisation
(How well-structured was it? How well did the visuals support it?)
The importance and
requirement all will be
provides so in my point
of view it has been
structured in better and
attractive manner.
Professionalism
(How slick and professional was it?)
The presentation made
by me is so professional.
Your reflection on your presentation
Content
(How clear, complete and informative was the presentation?)
I loved it I made it is the
attractive manner.
Audience Engagement
(How enjoyable / interesting did the audience find it?)
My team was so good so
I really enjoyed it.
Organisation
(How well-structured was it? How well did the visuals support it?)
The all slides are made
as per the requirement so
it is well structure
according to me.
Professionalism
(How slick and professional was it?)
I made it with all the
essential thing so this is
professional.
Action Points
(What could you do better in future presentations?
1. I will choose some another topic other than communication so I can explain the all
things in more better manner.
2. I would add graph and voice text so it can be audible.
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TASK 5
Reflective Writing (to be completed after week 9)
(Word count: 300 words)
Write a 300-word reflective summary applying the content of your presentation to your subject area.
Your summary should include 2
paragraphs on:
1. What did you learn from delivering a
presentation? You can use Gibb’s
reflective model to answer this question
(150 words).
2. How does the skill your presentation
focused on relate to students and
professionals of your subject area?
What can they learn from it? How can
they develop it? How is it useful? You
can also refer to your other modules to
answer this question (150 words).
Gibb’s reflective cycle (1988)
Remember to write 2 paragraphs in full sentences.
I must say that this was effective listening skill is effective in order to run the business activities in he
better manner. With the help of developing better listening skill it will be easy to do the all things in the
effective manner. The listening skill play greater role in order to bring improved and better results in
the enterprise.
The manager and employee should listen to each other and they both must be responsible to bring the
better coordination so that the performance of the enterprise can be developed in the effective mode.
Furthermore, the better and effective communication leads to achieve the long term objective in the
enterprise. Thus, it can be said that the listening is the key to the effective communication and without
listen there is no chances to set up the all things in better mode. The employers must have the use of it
as to is crucial to provide the better training to the employees. Listening is the ability with help of
which the number of the conflicts and controversies can be improvised. IN this kind of the activities,
the overall things are needed to be managed. Thus, better listening skill will promote understanding,
remembering and evaluating the each things so that each thing will be managed properly.
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