Science LinX to develop academic skills programme

Science LinX is about to start the project ‘Online academic core’. The aim of this project is to develop an online academic-skills programme for first-year students and secondary school pupils. Any teachers or lecturers who would like to help develop the material are welcome to contact Science LinX.

Academic skills are a vital to university study and graduate-level careers. However, they receive only scant attention in most undergraduate programmes. Science LinX therefore plans to join forces with secondary school teachers and university lecturers and develop online learning modules that will enable pupils and students to work on these skills themselves.

The project has been made possible with a grant from the University of Groningen. Four online learning modules covering various academic skills will be developed in the coming academic year. First-year students will be able to learn all about and practise using these academic skills, without any extra effort on the part of the lecturer.

The following will be covered:

1. Mathematics
2. Writing a research plan and report
3. Developing a research design
4. Finding literature and critical reading

Each module will have a general section that is applicable to all levels and programmes. In addition, there will be sections specifically for secondary-school pupils or students in particular university programmes. The online modules will ultimately be open to students from various disciplines (the arts, sciences and social sciences) and levels (higher and secondary education).

Secondary school pupils in years 5 and 6 of pre-university education will be able to familiarize themselves with academic study in the learning modules. They will be able to see whether it suits them, which will help them make the right decision about their future. The modules will also help them with their profile assignment, because they will be able to put the skills they acquire to use when working on the assignment.

The general modules will be developed in the coming year, as will sections with a special focus on secondary school pupils and students of Industrial Engineering and Management. Secondary school teachers and lecturers from the Industrial Engineering and Management programme who would like to help develop the modules are welcome to join us. If you are interested or have any questions about the project, please contact Helena Vis (h.s.vis@rug.nl).