Skills Required for University

David HolmesSenior Examiner Edexcel and Geography

Advisor to Field Studies Council

Making the leap?

What is different about university?

School

Content: more complex, harder topics, depth of study, controversial

University

Exam style: longer answers, more demanding command words, less data stimulus

Research: you are expected to be more of an independent learner and researcher

Way of learning: lectures rather than lessons; less contact time with staff

Skills and attributes of a geography undergraduate

Practical:•GIS computing•Lab work•Presentations

Interpersonal:•Teamwork•Empathy•Listening

Intellectual:•Research•Evaluation•Analysis

Personal:•Time control•Adaptability•Enterprise

• Computing skills• Ability to critically assess information• Community Awareness• Appropriate skills• Far seeing• Do the job• Interpret• Synthesize• Literacy curiosity• Capacity to think• Capacity to apply knowledge in a range of

relevant contexts

University staff want geography students to have….

And they also want….• Able to articulate ‘debates’ in written/oral form• Confident, independent learners• Know about geography at an appropriate level• Confident, articulate flexible• Application of knowledge• Ability to research independently• Request assistance• Numeracy & Literacy• Good communicator• Good researcher

Doing your initial skills audit

Learning at University: LecturesTrue or false?:• In good lectures, you takes lots of notes and it is

silent• A good lecturer speaks slowly so that you can get

word-for-word-notes• Everything you need to know to get a 1st class

degree can get got at lectures

Tips for lectures…

• Get there early so you have a good spot

• Have your writing equipment ready

• Read through last sessions notes

• Collect all handouts and get weblinks etc

• KNOW HOW TO TAKE EFFCETIVE NOTES

Learning at University: TutorialsUsually a 50 minute discussion meeting with 4-

8 students. Chaired by academic. Normally they are ‘workshops’ based around a set topic or theme.

• Prepare the topic!• Prepare bullet points and questions in

advance• Take notes on other peoples ideas, work etc.

Learning at University: Research process

The research process is rarely simple or straightforward

Being a researcherI will have to be a good ‘hunter-gatherer’ and get myself organised to keep things…..

Start with the basic (‘recommended’) textbook,

then go for the ‘specials’

Research options

Researching in teams

Group •Groups can cover more

work than an individual•People can work-up their specialisms / interests•Promotes an atmosphere of discussion•More fun than working alone•Sharing experiences may achieve a better quality product than the lone-worker

•Get people who don’t pull their weight•Not always focused and in control of research task•People miss meetings•People may not deliver on time•People get touchy and can sulk if their ideas are ignored

Student Books

Specialist and student magazines

Newspapers – issues and bias

Further journals and magazines

Remember to use their websites

Library vs internet

Library •Has helpful staff to help you

find things. Organised!

•Provides free access to print and paper copies of items, e.g. journals

•Archived information available

•Doesn’t always have what you want

•Not always up to date copies

•Closes after hours

•Cant always take out reference copies

•Nearly all in written form

Internet •Open all hours

•Provides access to global resources, e.g. newspaper from India

•Complete multimedia experience

•Updated information

•Two way communication

•No universal system of cataloguing and organising resources

•Anyone can publish things

•May have to pay for internet time

•May have to pay for some resources

More to life than Google?

Probably the best

geography websites

(1)

Probably the best geography websites (2)• Physical

On the web…always consider• Who published the information - a site maintained by

a university or government organisation is probably more reliable than one maintained by a private individual.

• Who wrote the information - you can probably assume that material provided by a known expert in the field is likely to be reliable.

• The age of the material - if you need current statistics, carefully check the age of the material you've found. A site dealing with historical hazards information may not need updating as frequently as one related to news and current events.

• Why the material exists - many special interest groups have web pages. And while this doesn't necessarily mean the material is biased, it's something you should consider. Think about whether they might have some reason, other than pure helpfulness, for posting information

Essay Skills (Thesis)

The Dog!Ways to

structure an effective

essay

Deconstructing a title

The true potential of GM technology lies in feeding the World’s poorest people. Discuss

Indirect feeding – cash crops to make money

Direct feeding – subsistence food crops, soya, maize, rice, wheat

What is GM technology?

Who owns it – role of TNCs, Monsanto etc

Opposition to GM technology. In MEDC environmental political opposition

Possible deals with LDCs. Role of India, China, Brazil etc

Case studies of trials in poor countries

Worlds poorest ~ synonymous with worlds poorest countries (HDI?), or poor within other countries

Arguments for issues of increased yield. Is food problem actually related to FAD, or FED. GM can overcome issues of pests and drought

Arguments against – environmental issues etc.

University essay assessment criteria

Handling complex numerical data

Handling complex graphs

Organising revision case studies and notes

What is the greatest problem we face with our students?

• Retention• Engagement• Attending lectures• Attending tutorials• Results: too long a ‘tail’

– ie too many 3rds and 2iis, or too few 1st and 2i