Spring 2018 Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) Submission

This academic skills portfolio, submitted for the ACSK4001 module in Spring 2018, demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of core academic skills. The portfolio includes self-evaluation checklists, a personal SWOT analysis, evaluation of sources, synthesizing information from multiple texts, structuring writing, and data analysis. The student reflects on their strengths and weaknesses, identifies opportunities and threats, and applies critical thinking to various tasks. The portfolio is divided into two sections: evidence-based tasks completed throughout the semester and written tasks including a report or essay, and a reflective summary. The student demonstrates the ability to use appropriate technologies and provides evidence of understanding academic literacy, critical thought, and self-reflection. The document covers various skills like information, planning/writing, independent study, oral presentation, and IT skills.

Spring 18
Academic Skills Portfolio
(module code: ACSK4001)
Name:
Student number:
Degree studied:
Lecturer name:
Tutor name:
This is your Academic SkillsPortfolio, which should be submitted byThursday 26th April, 2pm viayour 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: 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 (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. Individualization 1. Writing style and
handwriting Need to plan strategies and measures
to overcome the laziness. Need to
practise handwriting in free time and
need to get over the introvert attitude.
2. Strategic 2. Effective communication
skills
3. Responsible 3. Higher rates of deadline
misses
4. Learner 4. Lazy
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. Voluntary actions 1. Lack of self-decision-
making abilities Identify alternative resources for
achievement.
Initiate improvement for the gain of
knowledge and practical skills
2. Lower rate of project and
on-site visits
2. Lack of necessary
information or knowledge for
improvement
3. Constructive use of
resources
3. Challenges related to
employment opportunities
4. Progression towards
further gain of knowledge
4. Lack of ability to take
work loads
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 et.c.)
Parliament of United
Kingdom
European Parliament
Web
Human Resource UK
Citation/reference
(Brexit, Business and
trade, 2018)
The impact of Brexit on
the EU energy system.
(2017)
Globalizing human
resource management(2
016)
Authority
Parliament of UK. Directorate-General for
Internal Policies.
Communication
Manager
Currency
Discussion over Brexit
management and
parliament of UK
Analysis about the
impact of Brexit on the
EU energy system and
the human resource
sector.
Discussion on the
employment law,
recruitment skills and
culture
Content
About the laws and the
parliament of UK
Internal policies
regarding the agreement
between EU and UK
The growth and position
of the UK economy post
Brexit
Accuracy
This is a reliable source
with valid information
Reliable source of
information regarding the
policies
Reliable source of data
regarding the human
resource market in UK
Audience
Graduate and post
graduate students
Public who are interested
in the governmental
policies and law people
Academic audience and
the general public
Further notes/
comments
Useful source Good place of
information
SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 5

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 potential effect of Brexit on the recruitment process
 Addressing difficulties in the recruitment process and to fill vacancies
 Investments in the training and skill programs for further development
 In-text
citation/Oscola
footnote (Law)
 reference list
'Workforce Trends: The Impact of Brexit | CIPD' (CIPD, 2018)
'Workforce Trends: The Impact of Brexit | CIPD' (CIPD, 2018)
<https://www.cipd.co.uk/news-views/brexit-hub/workforce-trends> accessed 30
April 2018
Text B:
Key ideas:
 The potential effect of Brexit on the energy system of EU
 The security of the human resource department.
 Effective participation in the regulatory practises
 In-text
citation/Oscola
footnote (Law)
 reference list
(European Parliament, 2017)
European Parliament Industry research. (2017). The impact of Brexit on the EU
energy system. Available:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/en/ukevents/brexitstudies.html. Last
accessed30 April 2018.
Text C:
Key ideas:
 Difficulty to judge the effects on the business
 Non-perfect options post Brexit
 Longer term impact on the economy
In-text
citation/Oscola
Emma Sheppard, 'Leave Or Remain? The Impact Brexit Would Have On UK Jobs'
(the Guardian, 2018)
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 6

footnote (Law)
reference list
Sheppard E, 'Leave Or Remain? The Impact Brexit Would Have On UK Jobs' (the
Guardian, 2018) <https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2016/jun/20/leave-or-
remain-the-impact-brexit-would-have-on-uk-jobs> accessed 30 April 2018
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 citationsor OSCOLA footnote (Law) and link your ideas using linking words!
The impact of Brexit on the HR and the recruitment is humungous. There HR professionals facilitates
smooth transition towards the new policies and practises. The effects of Brexit on the related fields like
employment legislations, EU international and national trade proposes certain trends and possibilities.
One of the major effect is the change in the employment and the immigration law. According to the
2017 Resource and Talent Planning survey, organizations are most likely to decrease the recruitment
difficulties by initiating upskills and talent training programs for the existing employees.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 7

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 youracademic writing in section B.
This is more or less the way you should structure your academic writing in section B:
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 8
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?

Follow the structure in the previous page to writenotes (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 Impact of Brexit on Human resources in the UK
The term Brexit means British exit. It is the prospective withdrawal of the UK from the European
Union. According to the referendum of 23 June 2016,52% of the UK electorate decide to leave
UK.This exit of the British will effect the EU market with massive employment crisis.
The possible threat to the job market is immense. With the effect of Brexit, the economy of EU is
overserving and experiencing a massive shrink in the workforce. The market is already seeing a
shortage in IT, care work and engineering skilled people. One of the major impact of the Brexit is
the difficulty I the process of recruitment by the human resource department of the organizations.
It has been really difficult for the human resource department to search for new talents and recruit
new employees and retain the older ones.
The UK Business should do an assessment regarding the impact of Brexit on the new and existing
contracts, regulatory permissions and relationships.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 9

SECTION A: PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE
Task 6: Presenting & analysing data (to be completed in week 6)
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
theAcademic Skills page on GSM Learn. Remember to write a full Harvard or OSCOLA reference for it
and add a title.
Title: Impact of Brexit On the Recruitment Process and Interest in Job Seekers
Graph:
Reference:
Sheppard E, 'Leave Or Remain? The Impact Brexit Would Have On UK Jobs' (the
Guardian, 2018) <https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2016/jun/20/leave-or-remain-
the-impact-brexit-would-have-on-uk-jobs> accessed 30 April 2018
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 10

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 summaryon 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. Writea 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 above describes the negative impact of the Brexit on the job market of the UK. The human
resource department of all the small ad the big organization are finding it difficult to recruit new talents
since all the employees who were working in the British firms are hesitant to join them. Furthermore,
retention of the old employees in the organization has been challenging. The non-residents of UK and
the migrants are flying down to join the headquarters of the company post Brexit.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 11

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).
The Britain voted to leave the EU on 2016.It is important to analyse the possible effects of Brexit on
the economy of UK since it may hot the economic production growth of the country.
Leaving of Brexit will take a hot on the procedure of business of the country. Furthermore, the
economy will definitely lose access to the single market. The impact of Brexit on the employment and
labour is immense and it will reduce the foreign investment in the economy. One of the potential
benefit or opportunity Brexit creates is the freedom and easy access to make trade agreements.
Thus it can be concluded that the effect had both good and bad impact on the economy.
Academic Skills Portfolio (ACSK4001) 12