Academic Skills Portfolio ACSK4001: Spring 18 Submission Guide

This document presents an Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) from Spring 2018, featuring a student's work on various academic skills. It includes a self-evaluation checklist completed at the beginning and end of the course, a personal SWOT analysis identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and an evaluation of sources with critical engagement of texts related to the impact of Brexit. The portfolio also demonstrates the student's ability to synthesize information from multiple sources, structure written work effectively, present and analyze data, and edit and proofread content. Additionally, it includes two writing tasks: a report or essay and a reflective summary, showcasing the student's academic and reflective capabilities. Desklib provides this and many other solved assignments, past papers and study resources for students.

Spring 18
Academic Skills Portfolio
(module code: ACSK4001)
Name:
Student number:
Degree studied:
Lecturer name:
Tutor name:
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.
Submission deadline: Thursday 26th April, 2pm
Assessed Learning Outcomes (LOs):
1. Show evidence of understanding core components of academic literacy/skills.
2. Apply critical thought to a range of tasks, and do so with a minimum of external guidance in
particular situations.
3. Reflect, analyse and discuss strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities personally and
academically.
4. Use appropriate technologies to facilitate the completion of self-analysis/reflection.

Table of Contents
Task Page Week LO
SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE (These tasks will be drafted in class and are designed to inform the
written tasks in section B.)
Portfolio evidence 1: Self-evaluation checklist 3 1 & 10 3&4
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 should be developed throughout the semester).
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) 2

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?
Information 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/journals/websites to use ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ 
Select relevant parts of a text ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Evaluate sources ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ 
Acknowledge sources of information ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ 
Synthesize information from more than one sources ☐
☐
☐ 
☐ ☐ ☐
☐
☐
☐
☐
☐

Write a reference list correctly ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Avoid plagiarism  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Planning / writing 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
Brainstorm ideas ☐ ☐ 
☐ ☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐

Plan written work ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ 
Link ideas effectively ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Paraphrase & summarise ideas  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Write an introduction ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Write a conclusion ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Critically edit written work  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Independent study 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
Work independently (without lecturers) ☐ ☐ 
☐ ☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐

Work as part of a (study) group ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ 
Oral presentation 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
Give a presentation on my work ☐
☐
☐ 
☐ ☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐

Brainstorm ideas with peers ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Discuss written work in a tutorial  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Deal effectively with questions ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
IT 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
Access the internet ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐ ☐
☐
☐ 
☐

Use search engines ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Create word documents ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐  ☐ ☐ 
Use PowerPoint  ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 3

SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Task 2: Personal SWOT analysis (to be completed in week 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. Able to understand the
concepts easily
1. Time-keeping This can be done by maintaining and
updating the time-table and assigning
appropriate time for each activity. I will
be able to gain the confidence by
continuously conversing with classmates
and I can approach my friends and
mentors to gain more knowledge about
computers.
2. Research Skills 2. Lack of confidence while
communicating with new
people
3. Hard-working 3. Limited Knowledge of using
computer.
4. Attention to detail 4.
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. Develop confidence to deal
with people
1. Not being supported by
friends and peers
By performing the tasks independently, I
will be able to avoid seeking support
from others. Financial constraints can be
overcome by taking part-time jobs and by
concentrating on improving my skills, I
will be able to compete and find a
suitable job related to my field of study.
2. Work in a team 2. Financial constraints
3. Very good career prospects 3. Growing competition
4. Earn more 4.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 4

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 etc.)
Research Article Research Article Journal
Citation/reference
Livingston, S., 2017. How
does Brexit affect
tourism? [Online] The
Travel Magazine,
Available at:
http://www.thetravelmag
azine.net/how-is-brexit-
affecting-the-uk-
tourism.html, (Accessed:
28 March 2018)
Beech, J., 2017. Hiring EU
workers in post-Brexit
world, [Online] HR
Magazine, Available at:
http://www.hrmagazine.co
.uk/article-details/hiring-
eu-workers-in-a-post-
brexit-world, (Accessed: 28
March 2018]
Cumming, J.D., & Zahra.
S.A., 2016. International
Business and
Entrepreneurship
Implications of Brexit,
British Journal of
Management, Vol. 27,
Issue 4, pp. 687-692
Authority
The Author is the founder
and managing editor of
The Travel Magazine
The author is the managing
director of Migrate UK
Both the authors are of
academic fields and have
the academic expertise
related to business
management
Currency
The article is written in
June 2017 and hence, it
contains the latest
information
The article is dated 29
March 2017 and hence, it
has the latest updates
related to Brexit
This research journal was
published in October
2016.
Content
The content of the article
provides a deep insight
into the implications of
Brexit for tourism sector
The purpose of the article is
to showcase the impact of
Brexit on EU workers
This research provides a
clear indication of
negative impact of Brexit
on the businesses in the
UK region as well as other
countries.
Accuracy
The article contains the
facts and figures of the
impact of Brexit on the
tourism industry
The impact of Brexit has
been supported by using
the costs and related
expenditure of visas.
The facts are supported by
using the appropriate
graphs. This research also
has secondary data taken
from various sources
which clearly supports the
facts provided by the
authors.
Audience
The article is aimed at
providing the general
information regarding the
This article is aimed at
providing the information
to all.
This research journal can
be used by academicians
and students for further
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 5

impact of Brexit, hence, it
is useful for everyone.
research
Further notes/
comments
SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Task 4: Synthesising (to be completed in weeks 3 - 5)
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 6

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.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 7

Text A:
Key ideas:
Brexit affects the travel and tourism sector as it restricts the free movement of visitors to
other countries. Since tourism sector generates huge revenues, this will affect the
performance of the economy and may result in slumped growth in future. As per the
estimates provided by VisitBritain, the total amount spent by the visitors has been
recorded at 2.7 billion euros in January and February 2017 which is 11 percent more than
that was recorded in 2016 for the same months (Livingston, 2017).
 In-text
citation/Oscola
footnote (Law)
 reference list
Livingston, S., 2017. How does Brexit affect tourism? [Online] The Travel Magazine,
Available at: http://www.thetravelmagazine.net/how-is-brexit-affecting-the-uk-
tourism.html, (Accessed: 28 March 2018)
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 8

Text B:
Key ideas:
The EU workers working in the UK cannot be provided permanent residence in the region
after Brexit and the government has decided to execute this policy in a phased manner.
There are also indications of introducing stringent work permit systems and this is a
matter of concern for the businesses as they will not be able to hire abled and talented
employees of other regions. The government has proposed Resident Labour Market Test
which will be used for non-EU citizens as per the revised immigration policy (Beech, 2017).
 In-text
citation/Oscola
footnote (Law)
 reference list
Beech, J., 2017. Hiring EU workers in post-Brexit world, [Online] HR Magazine, Available
at: http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/article-details/hiring-eu-workers-in-a-post-brexit-world,
(Accessed: 28 March 2018]
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 9

Text C:
Key ideas:
The businesses across the world will be affected by the decision of the UK to leave EU
since the revised trade policies may affect the free movement of labour and materials. The
small businesses may not be able to import the required materials at lower costs which
results in selling the products and services at higher costs. The small businesses may not
be able to compete with the large companies which may result in their demise. The large
companies may shift their operations to the emerging markets in order to reduce the
impact of Brexit (Cumming & Zahra, 2016, pp. 687-692).
 In-text
citation/Oscola
footnote (Law)
 reference list
Cumming, J.D., & Zahra. S.A., 2016. International Business and Entrepreneurship
Implications of Brexit, British Journal of Management, Vol. 27, Issue 4, pp. 687-692
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 10

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 decision to leave EU may impact the economy of the UK region since the people will not be able to utilise
the opportunity of commuting to the other regions freely as there will be changes in the existing laws. Also,
businesses will not be able to import or export their products easily since additional taxes will have to be paid
as per the revised trade policies. This forces the businesses to sell their products at higher rates and this
impact the trade of other countries. The small enterprises may not be able to hire non-EU employees and staff
because of revised immigration policies which restricts the entry of the non-EU citizens to the region. The
employees and staff will prefer to work in other EU regions which may result in shortages of manpower and
negatively impacts the performance of the business (Cumming & Zahra, 2016, pp. 687-692). The arrival of
limited number of tourists to the region affects the tourism sector as the new visa norms will be in place and the
visitors may have to pay extra pounds towards visa process. Hence, they may prefer to visit other EU regions
affects the revenue generation of this sector.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 11

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:
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 12
INTRODUCTION
(150 words in final text) [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]
DISCUSSION POINT 1: ………………………………
(300 words in final text) [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?
DISCUSSION POINT 2: ………………………………
(300 words in final text) [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?
CONCLUSION
(150 words in final text) [refer back to what you discussed in previous parts]
 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?