Impact of Higher Education Situation

This assignment asks students to reflect on the potential impact of current trends in higher education on their own learning experience. Students are encouraged to consider factors such as rising tuition fees, diverse learning options (online vs. campus), and the importance of accessible and inclusive educational environments. They must analyze these issues and discuss how they might personally be affected as students pursuing higher education.

Autumn 2018
English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP 1) Portfolio (EAPA3004)
Name:
Student Number:
Tutor name:
This is your EAP 1 Portfolio which you must submit via the student portal byThursday20thDecember 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 a completed electronic copy. Please refer
to suggested word counts for each task included within this portfolio.
Assessed Learning Outcomes (LOs):
1. Produce cohesive and coherent elements of academic writing.
2. Read, compare and summarise written academic texts.
Week Contents Page Learning
Outcome
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence
(These tasks will often be drafted in class and are designed to inform the written task in section
2. Suggested word counts are included are in brackets.)

1 Portfolio evidence I: Self-evaluation checklist P3 LO 1 & 2
2- 8 Portfolio evidence II: Literature Research
(recommended word count: 400)
P4 LO 2
7 -10 Portfolio evidence III: Self-Assessment
(recommended word count: 100)
P5 LO 1 & 2
9 - 10 Portfolio evidence IV: Reflection
(recommended word count: at least 50 per section. Total word
count: 150)
P6 LO 1 & 2
Section 2: Written Tasks
(The written tasks should be developed throughout the semester but completed in weeks 7-10.)
1 - 10 Academic writing [Comparison of two elements of the student
body in the English higher education system.]
(Word count: 500 words)
P7 LO 1 & 2
1 - 10 Academic reflective writing [Reflection on your own challenges in
higher education]
(Word count: 300 words)
P9 LO 1 & 2
Total word count: Written Task (800 words) + Evidence (Approx. 650 words)
(+/- 10%)
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence I
Self-evaluation checklist
Below is a list of the skills you will need when working on extended pieces of writing during your university
career. The work you do on the EAP 1 course will help you develop these skills.
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Tick the appropriate box for each skill, according to how well you think you can do this at
the beginning of this course. Look again at the checklist throughout the course in order to
identify areas for independent study.
Skills
I don’t know
how to do
this.
I find this
difficult.
I can do this
quite well.
I can do this
very well.
Looking for information
Identify which books/journals/websites to use ☐ ☐  ☐
Select relevant parts of a text ☐ ☐  ☐
Using sources
Acknowledge sources of information ☐ ☐  ☐
Avoid plagiarism ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Planning/ writing
Brainstorm ideas ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐
Plan written work ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐
Link ideas effectively ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐
Paraphrase & summarise ideas ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐
Write a topic sentence ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐
Write a concluding sentence ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐
Personal study
Work independently ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐
Manage my time ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐
Reflection
Identify strengths / weaknesses in written work ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐
Think of ways to improve written work ☐  ☐ ☐
Think about experiences and describe in writing ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Oral presentation
Discuss written work in a tutorial ☐ ☐  ☐
IT
Access the internet ☐ ☐ ☐  ☐
Use search engines ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐
Create and save Word documents ☐ ☐ ☐  ☐
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence II
Literature Research (Recommended word count 400 words
(4 x 100) excluding references.
1. Find four texts for your research. For each text fill in the table below with the relevant information.
Question title: (Write your question title below)
Reference:
Type your reference here in the
Notes:
Summarise or paraphrase the
Justification:
Evaluate the information
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way that it will appear in your
paragraph (in text citation) and in
the reference list at the end of
your work (full reference).
information you are going to
use from what you have read.
Do not use direct quotations.
you have written in the
notes section and say why
it is relevant to the question
you are answering.
(Islam, Beer and Slack, 2015)
This journal focuses on the
challenges faced by students who
wish to pursue online education.
E-learning is becoming an
important in all aspects of our
lives including education sector
too. The article lists out certain
challenges that can identifies the
issues with e-learning and how it
can affect the students.
According to this article, E-
learning has become an
important part of education
system around the globe and
its importance in making
people learning different
courses. Nevertheless, it also
comes with various challenges
that can affect academics such
as cultures differences,
pedagogy, and the standards
that are required to be met by
the universities.
(Swain, 2018)
This article gives a clear view on
the reasons for UK to embrace
new and innovative techniques
concerning its education system
that is considered to be a
renowned education system
among students from all over the
world. The article studies the
focus of online education to go
mainstream.
According to this article, there
have been several reasons for
bringing in the online
education and moving ahead
with new options to improve
the education system. UK
should avoid scepticism and
maintain a standard to
accredit its universities so that
they can provide online
education to students
worldwide.
(Sá, 2014)
The following study provides with
an evidence from UK universities
of their decreasing rate of
student applications due to
increasing rate of fee on different
courses. This can be considered a
negative impact on the
reputation of the universities
regarding new entrants. This may
affect the flow of international
students in the universities too.
Paying a heavy amount on
fees can be a big challenge for
students coming from a
middle class background or
also for international students
too. For this online courses
are more preferred in place of
classroom education the
student has to bear the
expense of studies as well as
living and personal expenses.
(Biggs, 2011) This relevant source has been
taken to understand the
education system how effective
learning in universities can
benefit students to build a better
future irrespective of the courses
they pursue. The concern should
be to receive quality education
which aligns with the objective of
outcome-based learning.
This source aligns with the
information provided as
because it is important for
universities and specially
teaching providers to impart
quality education to students
in order to shape their future.
They should improve the
content to be taught and be
more proactive towards their
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teaching techniques even
when they are teaching
students on an online
platform.
Section 1: Portfolio Evidence III
Written work self-assessment form (recommended word count: 100)
Complete this form before you submit your portfolio.
Type a few comments below in relation to how well you have addressed the following
criteria in your written work. Do NOT give one-word answers.
PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
A. Has a clear structure including an
introductory sentence and a concluding
sentence.
I have completed the assessment as per the structure including
an introductory sentence and a concluding sentence.
B. Has features of academic writing. The assessment has been completed in an academic report style
writing.
CONTENT
C. Has compared directly between the
two student bodies. (Q.1.)
I have made the comparison between the challenges for
students studying online and students studying face-to-face in
higher education in England.
D. Has commented on what we learn from
the comparisons.
I have highlighted the key points for comparison according to
the title chosen.
E. Has commented on their own
experience. (Q.2.)
I have commented on my own experiences on the title
provided.
F. Has followed the word count (Q.1. 500
and Q.2 300 +/- 10%).
I have followed the word count as per instructions.
USE OF SOURCES AND REFERENCING
G. Has used all four references. I have used all the four references in the assessment.
H. Has in-text citations which follow
Harvard style. E.g. (Coughlan, 2014).
In-texts have given as per Harvard style.
I. Has avoided plagiarism. I have avoided plagiarism.
USE OF ENGLISH
J. Writes accurate sentences. I have constructed meaningful sentences.
K. Spells and punctuates accurately. I have checked all the spellings and punctuations.
L. Uses a range of language. I have used English language to complete the assessment.
M. Writes in an appropriate academic
style (Q.1.)or reflective style. (Q.2.)
I have written the appropriate academic style and reflective
style.
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Section 1: Portfolio Evidence IV
Reflection
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Think about the work you have done on this module and answer the following questions:
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What went well? (approx. 50 words):
The things that went well were the availability of relevant content and the sources required to complete this
assessment. I have completed the module with an academic style of writing by using properly constructed
sentences and punctuations. The module was completed as per the instructions provided and the write
reference style was used.
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What areas do I still need to improve? (approx. 50 words):
There are certain areas which can help me in writing a better academic report such as commission of
grammatical mistakes. These mistakes may look inappropriate while writing an academic report. Also, I
need to keep in mind the word count that has been assigned to complete the project.
What actions do I need to take to make sure I improve? (approx. 50
words):
I will try to commit lesser grammatical mistakes that may jeopardise my academic report. I can improve
choice of words and use them at the right places. I also wish to improve the quality of content that can
improve my academic report.
Section 2: Written Tasks
Academic Writing (500 words)
Please type your answer to question 1 below (500 words).
Choose ONE of the following titles:
(a) Identify and compare the challenges for students of lower and higher economic status in
higher education in England
OR
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(b) Identify and compare the challenges for students studying online and students studying
face-to-face in higher education in England
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Make sure that:
 Your text has an appropriate title.
 You have used all of your four references (included as in-text citations) and that you
include a full reference list.
 You discuss and compare both bodies of students that you have chosen to write about
 You have used a point by point approach.
 You have written a minimum of two paragraphs
Q.1.
Title:
Write your title here: Identify and compare the challenges for students studying online
and students studying face-to-face in higher education in England
One of the most common necessities of higher education institutes is E-learning these days which is being
implemented in education institutions around the globe. The rise in the need for e-learning is increasing with
each passing day taking down the traditional ways of classroom education. As online studying and learning is
mostly focused on learning the content rather than communicating about the content matter taught. On the
contrary, the traditional face-to-face classroom education seems more reliable to many of the students who
wish to gain better knowledge and communicate with their tutors on the subject matter taught. England is one
of the prestigious locations catering to the education needs of students from all over the world. Even though
European education system and colleges serve well for students, many of them prefer studying online at their
convenience rather than being physically present in classrooms to study.
As can be expected, globalisation has contributed towards bringing good changes in the education systems,
but online learning can also have certain challenges associated with it in an academic setting.
 Learning styles and cultural differences- The biggest challenge for students pursuing higher education
over an online platform from any foreign university is the learning outcome. Every student has a
different style of learning and understanding the teachings. Courses provided to students fail to deliver
the knowledge they want to impart specially to foreign students. This creates a cultural differences for
students pursuing online education from England.
 Challenges related to pedagogy- England has a history of providing quality education, but it needs to
embrace e-learning. The concern should be on improving the content and identifying the needs of the
students with regards to the course they want to learn.
 Standards for online programs- Maintaining the standards before providing any content to study on
the internet is the foremost thing to be done by any university. This can be the biggest challenge faced
by students to differentiate between colleges that are accredited or not accredited by any
accreditation bodies. Distance education suffers due to this challenge.
Traditional classroom studying has also moved to become more interesting and being interactive with
students. But, it has certain drawbacks which attracts scepticism from students who wish to pursue
classroom education.
 Fees- This can possibly be a big challenge for students coming to England for higher studies as
different courses have a different fee structure. If compared with online education, a classroom
education costs are much higher including a number of other miscellaneous expenses. Students
enrolling for the STEM subjects might be affected because of rise in fees.
 Public schools and funding- There are still many schools for higher education which require
immediate funding to improve their school infrastructure, better educational facilities for
students, student curriculum and student safety.
 Workload- Workload for students in schools and peer pressure is increasing day by day. The
pressure of adopting the new ways of studying can also break the nerves of students. This may
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lead students to learn slowly and dislike the culture of the school.
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Reference List:
Biggs, J.B., 2011. Teaching for Quality Learning at University: What The Student Does. United Kingdom:
McGraw-Hill Education.
Islam, N., Beer, M. and Slack, F., 2015. E-learning challenges faced by academics in higher education. Journal of
Education and Training Studies, 3(5), pp.102-112.
Sá, F., 2014. The effect of tuition fees on university applications and attendance: Evidence from the UK. Bonn:
The Institute for the Study of Labor, (8346).
Swain, H., 2018. Opportunity And Risk: Universities Prepare For An Uncertain Future. [online] Available at:
<https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2018/feb/07/opportunity-and-risk-universities-
prepare-for-an-uncertain-future>
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Q.2. What impact might the situation you have discussed in question 1 above have for you as a student
in higher education?