Keys to Success Program
Semester 2
2011
Faculty of Information Technology
compiled by
Dr. Nira Rahman
Learning Skills Unit
Monash University, Caulfield Campus.
Keys to Success /REAL– Nira Rahman, Learning Skills Advisor, Monash Library, Caulfield
Keys to Success Programme
About the Programme
You have to produce assignments for different units, good enough to convince
the examiners of your ability, and you can not even get started!
Having trouble managing the demands of academic writing? Not only that, but
your writing in general lacks fluency.
You are quite concerned about the reading load and time management
required for success in your study.
You have heard the word plagiarism but do not know how to avoid it.
You are interested in developing a broader and deeper understanding of
academic skills related to your subjects.
If any of this is your concern, Keys to Success Program will be something which can
really help you.
The Learning Skill Unit within the Monash Caulfield library runs academic skills
workshops for all students who wish to update or improve their study skills, their
marks and hence their futures. The Faculty of Information Technology, in conjunction
with the Learning Skills unit, has developed a tailored program of academic support,
called Keys to Success, particularly aimed at post graduate coursework students.
Keys to Success /REAL– Nira Rahman, Learning Skills Advisor, Monash Library, Caulfield
Workshops: Date, Time, Location
Title Date Time Location Presenter
Key 1 Unlocking the 29/07/11 10am –12pm E2.24 Andrew Dixon
Library - Library
Research Skills 3/08/11 10am –12pm H2.41 Andrew Dixon
Key 2 Effective Academic 05/08/11 10am –12pm E2.24 Nira Rahman
Writing in English
Key 3 Writing Assignments 12/08/11 10am –12pm E2.24 Nira Rahman
(essays/Reports):
Approaches and
Considerations
Key 4 Effective Reading 19/08/11 10am –12pm E2.24 Nira Rahman
and Note-Taking
Strategies
Key 5 Beyond Cutting and 26/08/11 10am –12pm E2.24 Nira Rahman
Pasting:
Incorporating
Sources into your
Writing
Key 6 Plagiarism: Why it 02/09/11 10am –12pm E2.24 David Squire
happens, how it is
detected, and most
importantly, how to
avoid it
Students are advised to book into the Keys to Success sessions on the Library Class
Bookings page available via your MyMonash Portal at
https://my.monash.edu.au/library/
Keys to Success /REAL– Nira Rahman, Learning Skills Advisor, Monash Library, Caulfield
Writing Sessions
These writing sessions are terrific ways for new coursework postgraduate student
writers to support, encourage, critique and motivate one another in writing academic
assignments. These writing sessions will provide an opportunity for exploring writing
styles and techniques; discussing frameworks and critical arguments; sharing
academic references; discussing strategies for structuring and what is required in an
academic assignment; and other ideas. Students are encouraged to bring their own
assignments and their written work to get assistance in required writing style and
structure and then formulating their own write-ups in these sessions.
.
Week Date Time Place
4 17/08/11 12 - 1 pm HB.32
5 24/08/11 12 - 1 pm HB.32
9 21/09/11 12 - 1 pm HB.32
10 05/10/11 12 - 1 pm HB.32
Students are advised to book into the Keys to Success sessions on the Library Class
Bookings page available via your MyMonash Portal at
https://my.monash.edu.au/library/
Keys to Success /REAL– Nira Rahman, Learning Skills Advisor, Monash Library, Caulfield
Workshops explained
Key 1 Unlocking the Library - Library Research Skills
This workshop will provide an introduction to library resources and services. This will
also focus on how to find information and access electronic databases as well as
acknowledging & listing sources and using Citing & referencing.
Key 2 Effective Academic Writing in English
This workshop will cover the linguistic and structural/contextual aspect of academic
writing in English, and provide some tips and practice for improving your overall writing
skill.
Key 3 Writing Assignments (Essays/Reports): Approaches and
Considerations
By using the assignment requirements as writing guidelines, this workshop will explore
the expectations of writing at postgraduate level. This will include understanding the
task, appropriately using research literature, and structuring a well developed and
logical assignment. This workshop will cover writing techniques for both essays and
reports.
Key 4 Effective Reading and Note-Taking Strategies
This workshop will cover how to develop techniques for getting the most out of any
academic reading and most effective ways of taking notes for assignment writing
and/or exams. This workshop will also cover paraphrasing techniques.
Key 5 Beyond Cutting and Pasting: Incorporating Sources into
your Writing
This workshop will focus on dealing with different relevant reading materials and
incorporate those into your writing. This workshop will help you identify strategies for
using references effectively while maintaining your own voice in writing.
Key 6 Plagiarism: Why it happens, how it is detected, and most
importantly, how to avoid it
This workshop will explain what plagiarism means in an academic context. It will
discuss various reasons why students might plagiarize, how plagiarism is detected at
Monash, and what its consequences are. It will also focus on why plagiarism is
considered such an academic sin, and how students can work in ways that help them
to avoid it.
Keys to Success /REAL– Nira Rahman, Learning Skills Advisor, Monash Library, Caulfield
Learning Skills Unit Services for students
Learning skills are the core skills and attributes that tertiary students need to acquire
within an academic environment and disciplinary context. Learning Skills Advisers
provide services and resources to those who want to improve their academic learning
skills, including:
academic English for native and non-native speakers
oral communication and presentation
academic reading skills
study skills, exam preparation, effective listening and note-taking
problem-solving and critical thinking
academic essay, report and thesis writing
http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/classes/caulfield/
Drop-in sessions
Drop in sessions will run everyday from week 2 to week 14.
Monday 12 – 2 pm
Tuesday 5 – 8 pm
Wednesday 12 – 2 pm & 5 – 8 pm
Thursday 5 – 8 pm
Friday 12 – 2 pm
http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/classes/caulfield/learning-skills.html
One to one consultations
Students can directly contact Dr. Nira Rahman to have individual appointments.
Phone: 9903 2444
Email: nira.rahman@monash.edu.au
Facilitated Study Groups/ Writing Sessions
Students can bring examples of their assignment and discuss and work it with others
in the group. The Learning Skills Adviser will guide your study group in reviewing any
questions or issues regarding the tiny details of academic writing.
Workshops
A series of workshops on a range of topics from reading and writing skills to avoiding
plagiarism to exam techniques will be offered under the Keys to Success Programme.
Keys to Success /REAL– Nira Rahman, Learning Skills Advisor, Monash Library, Caulfield