ACSK4001 Academic Skills Online Portfolio: UK's Exit from EU

This document is an Academic Skills (ACSK4001) online portfolio, submitted for the Summer 2017 semester. It encompasses a range of tasks designed to assess and enhance academic literacy and skills, including self-evaluation checklists, personal SWOT analysis, structuring of writing, quantitative data analysis, evaluating sources, synthesizing information, and reflective writing. The portfolio also includes a specific academic writing component focusing on the UK's exit from the European Union, along with reflective summaries. The assignment requires critical thinking, self-analysis of strengths and weaknesses, and the use of appropriate technologies. The portfolio is divided into two sections: portfolio evidence and written tasks, with suggested word counts and specific learning outcomes for each component. The final submission deadline was Thursday, August 24th.

C17
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001)
Name: Student Number:
Lecturer name:
Tutor name:
Degree studied:
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: Thursday 24th August by
2pm
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 tasks will be drafted in class and are designed to inform the written tasks in section 1; Suggested 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
(These written tasks should be developed throughout the semester but completed 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)
(+/- 10%)
SECTION 1: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Week 1: self-evaluation checklist
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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
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
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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 ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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SECTION 1: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Week 1: Personal SWOT analysis
Watch this video: HYPERLINK
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBOtnyt7BP4"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. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4 Top 5 Strengths/talents (Gallup test): 4.
External
OPPORTUNITIES
[People, resources, opportunities]
THREATS
[Things outside of my control]
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
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Discuss: how are you going to overcome your weaknesses and minimise the threats? (approx 100 words)
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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?
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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
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SECTION 1: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Week 3: Presenting and analysing data
Presenting data
Cut and paste the graph you discussed in the tutorial here. You can find it on the Academic Skills page
on GSMlearn. Remember to write a full Harvard or OSCOLA reference for it.
PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
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Week 3: Written analysis of Data
Analysing data
Based on the graph looked at in the tutorial, first discuss, and then plan how to write an analytical
paragraph about your graph. You might want to include the following information:
1. A description your data (What is it? Where does it come from? What area is it focussing on?):
2. A summary 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 write your data analysis as a paragraph (approx. 300 words). Remember to refer to the
graph/chart using correct Harvard style in-text citation.
The graph discusses the net migration to the UK by nationality from 1975-2015. In the graph it can be
seen that the number of immigrants in the UK has increased largely from 1975-2015. The graph
states that the immigration in the UK has increased due to the high value of pounds and the
opportunities for the international candidates in terms of both study and employment (Wadsworth
et al. 2016). The UK has some of the world’s top raking universities that provide learning
opportunities of the students. Therefore, once the students used to reach UK for studies, they used
to evaluate the options of work in the country as well. During the 1975, though the work
opportunities were present in high number, the numbers of employees were comparatively less. As a
result, the students who went to study in the UK found themselves suitable and similar jobs and
planned their settlement in the country (Mourlon-Druol 2015). With time, individuals brought their
extended families due to which the immigration of the UK gradually increased over the years. With
the course of development in the UK since 1975, the country extended hand to various companies to
establish their business in the UK. As a result, the number of international companies in the UK since
1975 increased largely. Therefore, the business organisations brought their employees to the UK for
conducting effective business. This also resulted in the increase in the number of immigrants in the
UK. Pound is the highest currency in the world. Therefore, the high rates of the pound resulted in
attracting immigrants and establish them in the UK forever (Blinder 2014).
Evaluate your data analysis group presentation We need to
improve
this
We have
done this
OK
We have
done this
very well
The visual was effective and engaging ☐ ☐ ☐
We identified an overall trend ☐ ☐ ☐
We included reference to actual numbers ☐ ☐ ☐
The data analysis included some interpretation of the results ☐ ☐ ☐
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PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Week 4: Evaluating sources & critically engaging with texts
In your study groups, evaluate 3 different text from your reading list, or ones you have found. During class your
lecturer will give you questions to guide you through this process.
Resource type:
(book, journal,
video)
& citation/reference
Text A Text B Text C
Authority
Wadsworth, J., Dhingra, S.,
Ottaviano, G. and Van
Reenen
Mourlon-Druol, E Blinder, S
Currency £ £
£
Content Brexit and the Impact of
Immigration on the UK
The UK's EU vote: The
1975 precedent and
today's negotiations
Migration to the UK:
Asylum
Accuracy Yes Yes Yes
Audience 32 15 55
Further notes/
comments
PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Week 5: Synthesising
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In groups of 2 or 3: you are going to discuss the similarities and differences or different texts. You each need to
read and understand a text, tell your group about it, and make notes.
Write (in note form) the key ideas for the 3 different texts:
Text A:
In-text citation:
Key ideas: Impact of Immigration in the UK
Text B:
In-text citation:
Key ideas: Negotiation between the UK and the EU
Text C:
In-text citation:
Key ideas: Migration to the UK
Individually: write up a paragraph which synthesises (combines) the ideas you talked about with your study
group. Remember to include in-text citations and link your ideas using linking words! (Suggested word count:
200 words).
The idea of settling in the UK has been long reflected in the mind of the individuals that visit the UK for
studies or employment. This is because the UK has been providing wide range of opportunities to the
migrants and the immigrants that has to the country. Due to exposure in terms of both employment and
education, the rate of migrants has increased in the country over the years. The country has never hesitated
in retaining qualified and experienced people that are useful for the organisation and the country. Migration
to the UK has increased over the years posing a hidden threat on their citizens. The country has never
thought on that aspect. Therefore, as the number of immigrants increased, the threat on their citizens in
terms of employment an education increased to a certain extent.
PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Week 7: Presenting your assignment
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
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