A Guide to Synthesis

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Synthesis is an important higher-level skill in academia. Good academic essays are often described as being more than the sum of their parts, and this is largely down to their use of synthesis. This workshop explores the fundamentals of synthesis and offers practical guidance on how to balance and combine sources to show deep understanding. It also provides a space for students to practise this skill in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Active Listening

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Mastering active listening skills will strengthen your academic study. These skills will help with note taking, understanding lectures and feedback from Tutors.

The aim of this workshop is to explain in detail the reasons why active listening can help you in your degree. There will be top tips and advice on listening skills. This session will help students to combine numerous skills and allow active listening to heighten their existing skills.

An Introduction to Critical Thinking

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The introduction to Critical Thinking workshops builds on the content covered by the introduction to Academic Writing session. It aims to provide students with a better understanding of how to progress from descriptive writing to a more critical discussion. The session looks at evaluating sources, argument construction and employing more critical language in your writing.

An Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint

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Microsoft PowerPoint is used to create presentations, which are a common format for assessments at university. This hands-on workshop will cover how to create a presentation from start to finish. Plus, if required, this will also cover how to record and narrate a presentation.

An Introduction to Microsoft Word

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Microsoft Word is used to create the majority of written assessments at university, such as essays and reports. This hands-on workshop will cover the essentials of using Word, including how to create and format a document.

An Introduction to the Library

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The Introduction to the Library workshop is a basic introduction to one of the most important online platforms that you will be using during your time at Arden. It provides a basic walkthrough of how to access the library and carry out searches. We encourage students who have attended this workshop to then attend the Advanced Literature Searching workshop to improve their literature searching and building on the skills covered in the Introduction to the Library workshop.

Approaching Assignments

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The Approaching Assignments workshop provides you with an overview of how to prepare and submit your assignments. The workshop covers the importance of planning ahead to get your assignment completed on time, considers some of the challenges that you might face during your studies and how to overcome them.

Developing your Academic Voice

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Developing your academic voice workshop focuses on the use of proficient academic language essential for clearly articulating and communicating your thoughts in both your spoken and written assessments. This will enable you to express yourself with more confidence whilst noticing what makes a good example of an academic voice.

Evaluating Resources

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The evaluating resources workshop provides students with an overview of how to breakdown academic sources. The workshop covers the importance of using trustworthy and progressive research within academic writing and provides practical techniques for assessing and evaluating information from a range of sources. If you are struggling to understand research, find it tricky linking it to your assignments and remaining critical, or just want some hints and tips then this workshop is for you.

Excel Drop-In

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Have a quick question about Excel? Then this drop-in session is for you. An Academic Skills Tutor will be present in the session to answer all of your Excel questions! Stop by for five mins, or stay for the whole hour, it is completely up to you!

Fundamentals of Writing

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In this workshop we will explore the ways that you can begin writing clear and effective sentences using a range of punctuation marks and sentence structures. By the end of this workshop you will have learnt about the rules for writing sentences, but most importantly you will know how to interpret those rules in order to improve the clarity of your writing and the message you want to communicate.

Generating Ideas (Getting Started)

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This workshop will guide you through techniques and approaches to creative and original thinking. You may have done the reading and be prepared to do the assignment but not know where to start . Together we will use techniques like mind-mapping, discussion, free-writing, and other reflective practices which you can use to unlock your ideas ready to put down in your assignments.

Improve your skills with Linkedin Learning

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Do you want to learn more about how to be an effective student online? Are there IT skills that you want to improve but don’t know how? This workshop will introduce two online resources that can help you to identify and develop specific skills for study. These are available to all Arden University students! By the end of the session you will be able to develop an action plan based on your priorities, and identify relevant resources via LinkedIn Learning and the Library to help you achieve those goals.

Introduction to Academic Writing

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The Introduction to Academic Writing workshop is an introduction to the importance of certain practices within academic writing such as structuring, editing and proofreading your work. It highlights some of the conventions that are useful to adopt in your assignments and what to avoid. Introduction to Academic Writing is a good starting point for students hoping to improve their written work.

IT Essentials for Students

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This workshop covers the essential digital skills students need when joining Arden, including: Downloading Office software for free, using your student email, Zoom, saving work and navigating iLearn. 

New to University: What does it involve?

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The New to University session is an introduction to university life, focusing on distance and blended learning, and aims to orientate you to the nature of academic study.

It also provides an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have, and for us as to share our experiences of studying at university and to dispel common misconceptions and myths around what university and academic study is. This is an icebreaker session and aims to provide some practical guidance and advice.

Notetaking

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As a university student you will need to make notes about the texts you read and the lectures you attend. This workshop will demonstrate that by taking notes you can effectively kickstart your learning, initiating the process of understanding and memorising new concepts and information from a very early stage. We will explore a few different styles of notetaking so that you can find the one that suits you best.

Paraphrasing

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The Paraphrasing workshop will help you master this essential skill, strengthen your academic voice and critical thinking, and will also help you avoid plagiarism. In this workshop, we will explore the fundamentals of these techniques, and provide clear guidance on how to use them. When used correctly, these skills allow you to demonstrate the depth of your subject understanding, and your ability to combine relevant material from many sources into a unified whole.

Presentation Skills

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You may be asked to create a presentation as part of your studies. This interactive workshop will take you through the basics of using Microsoft PowerPoint within your work and will provide you with hints and tips for making the most out of the software. If you are new to using the software or need to brush up on your skills then this session is for you.

Programming with Java part one

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This workshop builds a solid foundation into programming using Java. It covers how to define an algorithm, understand the key features of Java programming language, and develop the foundational skills to write basic Java programs. Before the workshop you will need to install VS Code with Java pack: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/languages/java OR create a free account on https://replit.com for maximum benefit.

Programming: Number Systems and Storage Concepts

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This workshop provides transferable knowledge applicable across computer science disciplines. It will help you to describe and classify the concepts of the decimal positional number systems, build your knowledge of Binary and Hexadecimal number systems, and start work with data using these systems.

Proofreading

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The Proofreading workshop is designed to help you with the last stages of completing your assignments. Proofreading is an important part of the assignment writing process, if you find that you struggle with proofreading your work or are not sure of where to start then this workshop can help. It aims to walk you through the process of proofreading your own work and provide you with some hints and tips to improve your proofreading ability.

Referencing: APA style

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The Referencing workshops give an overview of some of the most common referencing styles; this workshop is specifically for APA style, which is used in Psychology and related subject areas. Referencing correctly is key to good academic practice, therefore these workshops focus on citations and how to construct some of the most common types of references. They will also highlight how to best make use of the referencing guides that are available and answer any referencing questions that you might have.

Referencing: AU Harvard style

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The Referencing workshops give an overview of some of the most common referencing styles; this workshop is specifically for Arden University Harvard style, which is used in Business, Social Sciences, Arts and related subject areas. Referencing correctly is key to good academic practice, therefore these workshops focus on citations and how to construct some of the most common types of references. They will also highlight how to best make use of the referencing guides that are available and answer any referencing questions that you might have.

Referencing: OSCOLA style

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The Referencing workshops give an overview of some of the most common referencing styles; this workshop is specifically for OSCOLA style, which is used in Law and related subject areas. Referencing correctly is key to good academic practice, therefore these workshops focus on citations and how to construct some of the most common types of references. They will also highlight how to best make use of the referencing guides that are available and answer any referencing questions that you might have.

Time Management

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Always leaving your assignments to the last minute? Don't know how to effectively plan your assignments? This Time Management workshop will provide you with the tools you need to stay on track and meet your deadlines.

Understanding Plagiarism

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The Understanding Plagiarism workshop starts a discussion about academic integrity and good academic practice. It will introduce you to some of the reasons why referencing is such an important part of your academic journey and how best to maintain academic integrity so that you can avoid plagiarism. Understanding Plagiarism will introduce you to the basics of referencing but for a more in-depth look at referencing please also attend one of the referencing specific sessions.

Understanding Research

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As a university student you will need to read research papers to find evidence to support your arguments. To help you make effective use of research papers this workshop will support you in being able to understand how to recognise different forms of research, the different elements that research papers may include and factors that you will want to consider when evaluating studies.

Understanding the Assignment

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Understanding the question is key to writing a successful assignment. By developing an understanding of an assignment question, the issues you might research and the structure you can use to write about relevant issues often become clearer. In this workshop we will look at ways to break down assignment questions and take time to practise the skills you need to start drafting clear and original responses to assignment questions.

Your Guide to Turnitin

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The Guide to Turnitin workshop gives you an insight into how to use the software to your advantage. The workshop will take you through the basics of how to upload one of your assignments as well as walking you through, and breaking down, the Turnitin report.

Your Virtual Classroom: Zoom

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Your Virtual Classroom introduces you to the virtual classroom where some of your teaching may take place, we offer this session on Zoom for both blended and distance learners. It provides you with some guidance on netiquette as well as giving you a chance to use some of the features provided to help you build your confidence and ask any questions you might have before jumping into your studies.

An Introduction to Statistics

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Are you daunted by statistics and would like to understand more about working with statistical data? If so this workshop is for you. There will be an opportunity for hands-on practice on performing descriptive statistics manually and with Microsoft Excel.

Critical Thinking & Writing

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"Your writing is too descriptive, you need to be more critical" is a common piece of feedback students receive on their essays, but what does it actually mean? This workshop explores the focus, language and approach required to produce clear critical writing. It demystifies the subject by giving practical examples of how we all use critical thinking and provides a framework for students to interact with academic texts critically and with confidence.

How to Write an Argument

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This workshop introduces the fundamentals of academic writing, and dispels some of the common misconceptions around the subject. Using practical examples, this workshop encourages students to find their own voice and to write in a way that makes the most of the available space. It explores fundamental concepts of structure, tone, gives guidance on comparison and acts as a primer to the conventions of academic writing.

Identifying a Research Topic (Dissertation)

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The Identifying a Research Topic workshop is for if you are starting to think about your final year research project. Dissertations are an essential part of your degree, it is your chance to work independently on something that you are passionate about. The workshop will help you generate ideas for research topics, assess whether the topic could realistically be carried out and get you started on the first stages of researching your topic.

Paragraph Structure

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In this workshop we will discuss how you can begin to express your ideas effectively by constructing coherent and cohesive paragraphs. We will explore the variety of ways you can compose a paragraph and provide you with time and space to practise constructing and linking paragraphs that convey your arguments clearly.

Programming with Java Part 2

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This workshop covers the most important programming control structures and participants will learn how to write and implement simple Java programs. Before the workshop you will need to install VS Code with Java pack: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/languages/java OR create a free account on https://replit.com for maximum benefit.

Python for data mining Part One

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This workshop introduces the Python skills required for data mining operations, including file operations, modules and applications including NumPy, Matplotlib, and Pandas.

Before the workshop, ensure you have Python installed. Options include:

• Download Python with IDLE from https://www.python.org.
• Use rich IDEs like VS Code or PyCharm.
• Explore Anaconda with Spyder and Jupyter.
• Try online IDEs like www.replit.com or https://colab.research.google.com.

Reflective Writing

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Reflection is a major part of any degree. As part of your assignments you may be asked to draw on your experiences and reflect on your learner journey so far. This interactive workshop will guide you through the process of how you can use reflective models in your practice and will provide practical tips for meaningful reflection.

The Arden Writers Retreat

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Sometimes we just need focused time away from distractions to finish our assignments. The aim of Arden’s Writers' Retreat sessions is to provide just that. Each online session lasts an hour, during which time you can focus on completing your current assignment, supported by an Academic Skills Tutor, Librarian or Student Coach. Though writing is a solitary activity, we encourage a sense of community by asking you to share the number of words you’ve written during each ‘sprint’ in the chat box, in order to inspire each other to reach our goals. Each hour-long session will be divided into two 25-minute writing sprints, and you are encouraged to attend all four sessions. Gift yourself that focused time and come and join fellow writers in reaching their goals.

What is a Dissertation? (Dissertation Preparation)

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This workshop will introduce you to the purpose and potential of an extended research project, as well as addressing key questions: ‘How do I find a topic? What academic skills are necessary for writing a dissertation? What can I write about? What is a literature review?’. Students often feel overwhelmed at the start of their dissertation project and this session is designed to give you the confidence to start researching a topic you are passionate about.

Advanced Library Searching

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The advanced library searching workshop will introduce you to some of the more advanced features of the Library that you can use to find sources for your assignments. This workshop will cover topics such as key word selection, search strategies and using filters to refine your search results. 

Advanced Statistics

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Have you already attended 'An Introduction to Statistics'? Are you ready for the next level? Then this workshop is for you. There will be opportunity for hands-on practice on performing advanced statistics manually and within Microsoft Excel.

How to Format Your Dissertation

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Writing a dissertation involves many skills, including the ability to present your work clearly. This workshop will help you to explore the basics of dissertation structure and will provide you with hints and tips for using Word effectively when writing your dissertation.

How to Write an Annotated Bibliography

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How to Write an Annotated Bibliography will equip you with the understanding, and necessary evaluative and analytical frameworks for writing a meaningful annotated bibliography. It will also help you to develop reflective thinking techniques in order to situate your work within your broader research/subject.

Organising your references using Mendeley

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This workshop will walk you through the basics of how to use Mendeley for storing and managing your literature. It will provide a practical demonstration of how to add your existing literature to Mendeley so that it is ready for use in your documents. 

Python for data mining Part Two

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This workshop demonstrates the power of Numpy, Matplotlib, and Pandas for data analysis and mining, and enables you to develop skills to perform simple data analysis operations using Python. Before the workshop ensure you have Python installed. Options include:

• Download Python with IDLE from https://www.python.org.
• Use rich IDEs like VS Code or PyCharm.
• Explore Anaconda with Spyder and Jupyter.
• Try online IDEs like www.replit.com or https://colab.research.google.com.

Reversing the Outline: How to edit your existing work

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In this session you will learn how to edit your draft starting from reversing its outline. Before joining this workshop you will need to choose an existing piece of work to edit, either a draft or a resubmission paper. Be prepared to break down the paper into paragraphs, carefully consider the key topic of each paragraph and its relevance to the question; identify problems; identify themes; cut unnecessary parts and rearrange the whole paper together in an improved form.

Using Specialist Software (SPSS) Part One

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Are you carrying out statistical analysis as part of your research project? Do you want to improve your skills in this area? The using specialist software session will take you through the basics of using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) for data analysis and will ensure that you feel confident in using this versatile and responsive programme.

Using Specialist Software (SPSS) Part Two

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Are you carrying out statistical analysis as part of your research project? Or want to upskill in this area? The Using Specialist Software (SPSS) Part Two session will take you through using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) for performing descriptive and inferential statistics and will ensure that you feel confident in using this versatile and responsive programme. Kindly download and install SPSS before the session via these links: SPSS Installation Guide for Windows or SPSS Installation Guide for Mac.