Academic Skills Workshop

Main idea

Outline

Academic Skills Workshops 

UCD Access & Lifelong Learning runs Academic Skills Workshops to assist students build the necessary skills they need when attending university. 

There are two ways for the students to engage:

1. At the beginning of the academic year students can attend an in-person”How to…UCD” programme. This is a set 6-7 week programme for students who are in their First Year of undergraduate study having entered through an Access and Lifelong Learning pathway, or on a part time programme.  Workshops can be on a variety of topics including; 
   1. Logging onto University Systems 
   2. Notetaking 
   3. Time Management 
   4. Using the library
   5. Support Systems in University
   6. Self care -mindfulness and breathework 
   7. Money management 
2. Academic Skills Modules have also been created on UCD’s Virtual Learning system, Brightspace, called ALL Student Supports: University for All. The module is relevant to all students in UCD and is part of our University for All initiative. University for All brings together everyone in the UCD community to create an inclusive educational experience for all students. 
3. The module contains a number of interactive online workshops and recorded workshops which students can work through at their own pace. Each section contains useful resources including a special section on learning online developed by UCD’s occupational therapists and assistive technology specialists which addresses some of the most common challenges: staying motivated, juggling demands and feeling disconnected.   

Other topics include:

• Studying at University
• Note taking
• Time Management
• Writing & Research
• Referencing
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Stress Management
• Exam Preparations
• Mind mapping
• Apps for Learning
• Group work
• Presentations 
• Exam preparation 
• Self care
• Mind Mapping 
• Money Management; among others.

Evidence suggests that additional academic supports can assist students in building the skills they need to have student success. Modules were developed based on the common queries or challenges communicated by students to staff in 1:1 meetings. While workshops were given solely  in-person in the past, students can now attend in-person or via the Brightspace module to access the information when needed. 

The workshops are  not part of the curriculum. 

Online workshops are available to all students, and flagged by student support teams when meeting with students. How to… UCD programme is available to First Year Students undergraduate students having entered through an Access and Lifelong Learning pathway, or on a part time programme. Groups are capped at 30 people.  

Disability Support Officer’s co-ordinates the Academic Skills workshop series and the workshops are delivered by staff from the UCD Access and Lifelong Learning Centre.

Goals

• To give students a solid start in UCD
• To allow students become familiar with the key skills needed to study in University
• To increase attendance at the Academic Skills workshops 
• Ensure that the workshops are accessible. 

Target group

• Students experiencing obstacles based on ethnic-cultural differences
• Students experiencing educational difficulties
• Students experiencing socioeconomic obstacles
• Students experiencing geographical obstacles
• Students with (mental) health problems
• Students from other communities
• Students with caring responsibilities
• Students from non-academic backgrounds

Obstacles targetted:

• Disability
• Economic obstacles
• Educational difficulties
• Migrant background obstacle
• Social obstacles

Students involvement

Feedback is sought after every series of workshops and recommendations are implemented where possible and reasonable.

Inspiration and evidence

Evidence suggests that additional academic supports can assist students in building the skills they need to have student success. Modules were developed based on the common queries or challenges communicated by students to staff in 1:1 meetings. While workshops were given solely  in-person in the past, students can now attend in-person or via the Brightspace module to access the information when needed.

Success criteria

The service is successful when we see students being empowered to be independent learners as a result of attending the academic workshop series.

Recommend offering online resources that can be accessed at any time.

In-person workshops are capped at a group of 30 and the students are invited on the calendars to remind them to come. Regular emails are sent to check in on student. Course is set up in a way that students are encouraged to come to all sessions.

Effectiveness

• The number of students attending in-person workshops is tracked
• Complaints/feedback 

Do you feel you can effectively provide the support that students require?

Would you recommend this to other institutions?

strongly agree

Evaluation

• Students are asked regularly to give feedback – on the service for e.g. feedback is sought after each series of academic workshops 
• Recommendations are incorporated from these surveys as much as possible.

Communication

• ALL Welcome – orientation event for students entering through HEAR, DARE, mature entries, University Access, QQI-FET 
• Social Media 
• Word of mouth 
• Website 
• One to One meetings

Timing

The Academic Skills workshops are targeted at first year students (but available to all) and are available all year around. In-person workshops take place early in the first trimester on a weekly basis.

Day information

During regular ‘school’ hours.

Resources

• Staff to deliver it with expertise in academic skills and working with students (1hr a week)
• Dedicated space
• Resources to promote it as well as administration e.g. Email reminder, registration forms. 
• Platform for online material e.g virtual learning environment.
• Powerpoints and learning materials for classes and preparation time for this. 

Extra information

• Academic Skills Workshop

Transferability

We think it is easily transferable to other contexts or groups.

Yes this could be easily transferred if another institution had the resources to run and deliver the workshop series. When developing the series it would be beneficial to meet with students to establish what their academic needs are and for them to have their voice included in the design and delivery.