Academic and Communication Skills (5 ECTS)

Objective

The student
• knows their physical and social study environment and the academic counselling and study practices at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
• knows the structure of the curriculum and is able to complete their study plan
• recognises their strengths and development areas in learning
• is capable of international skills development and goal-oriented career planning
• knows how to find, evaluate and organise information
• becomes familiar with the genres of academic writing and can write well-composed professional texts
• is able to work in a group and present their learning process and skills orally
• knows how to operate in the academic ICT environment
• knows how to use the academic information systems, key software and social media tools.

Content

• Physical and social study environment and the essential rules and regulations concerning higher education
• Academic counselling and study practices, learning and study skills, curricula, study planning and Individual Study Plan (ISP)
• Student affairs and services
• Information about work in the professional field and international skills
• Basics of information retrieval and referencing guidelines
• Academic writing
• Oral communication and interaction skills
• Key information systems, software and social media tools at Metropolia

Location and time

Classroom 453 and tours around the campus

Materials

-

Teaching methods

This introductory course on study practices includes the following content:

- An introduction to the physical and social learning environment and to the main guidelines and rules of higher education.

- Introduction to guidance and study practices, learning and study skills, curricula, study planning and the personal study plan.

- Getting to know about student services

- Exercises in searching for knowledge in your field and self-study

- Writing about studying and personal learning

- Oral communication and interaction skills

- Familiarisation with Metropolia's study-related information systems, office software and social media tools

- Word processing and exercises in using spreadsheet applications

Employer connections

-

Exam schedules

-

International connections

-

Completion alternatives

-

Student workload

Two weeks of lectures and assignments.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student
• knows the main features of the study practices and is able to use the IT systems required for studies
• observes one's own learning
• is able to use and produce the oral and written types of text needed for professional expert work under supervision.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student
• is familiar with the study practices and uses the IT systems required for studies fluently
• identifies the strengths and areas for development of their own learning
• is able to independently use and produce the types of oral and written text needed for professional expert work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student
• is familiar with the study practices and uses the IT systems required for studies fluently
• reflects on their own learning and is willing to develop one's learning skills
• is able to purposefully use and produce oral and written types of text required for professional expert work
• demonstrates a desire to develop as an expert in communication and interaction skills.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student
• knows the main features of the study practices and is able to use the IT systems required for studies
• observes one's own learning
• is able to use and produce the oral and written types of text needed for professional expert work under supervision.

Assessment methods and criteria

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)
The student
• knows the main features of the study practices and is able to use the IT systems required for studies
• observes one's own learning
• is able to use and produce the oral and written types of text needed for professional expert work under supervision.

Assessment criteria, good (3)
The student
• is familiar with the study practices and uses the IT systems required for studies fluently
• identifies the strengths and areas for development of their own learning
• is able to independently use and produce the types of oral and written text needed for professional expert work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)
The student
• is familiar with the study practices and uses the IT systems required for studies fluently
• reflects on their own learning and is willing to develop one's learning skills
• is able to purposefully use and produce oral and written types of text required for professional expert work
• demonstrates a desire to develop as an expert in communication and interaction skills.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed
The student
• knows the main features of the study practices and is able to use the IT systems required for studies
• observes one's own learning
• is able to use and produce the oral and written types of text needed for professional expert work under supervision.