第一章How to Study at the University?

In this chapter, we will focus on the following topics to enable you to have a better and more thorough understanding on study at the university:
 Understanding higher-level study
 Different types of teaching
 Knowing about different tasks in universities 
 Understanding study skills
 CREAM learning strategies
 Reflecting on your learning style 
 Conducting independent learning
 Becoming a good time manager

●1.1 Understanding higher-level study

In this section, we will discuss the challenges of university life from the perspectives of learning, teaching style, learning community, people and campus life.

●1.2Different types of teaching

In the previous section,we have already learned there will be different teaching methods in higher education. Likewise, we will find different patterns of assignment: presentations,reading and writing.

●1.3Knowing about Different Learning Tasks in Universities

The term “study skills” include a wider range of abilities that enable achievement in your studies. Four categories of skills：Self-management skills for study; Academic skills (Basic research skills, Thinking skills, Understanding academic conventions, Writing and other communication skills); People skills for studying with others; Task management skills.

●1.4What are study skills?

In this section, we will discuss different types of teaching. The teaching methods or the delivery formats might include lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, practical or laboratory classes, problem-solving classes, group work and collaborative learning.

●1.5C.R.E.A.M Learning Strategies

The C. R. E. A. M strategy is a general principle which encourages you to stop, think and reflect on ways of improving the way you learn constantly and help to make you study effectively and productively.

●1.6Reflecting on your learning style

Reflecting on your learning styles
This section introduces four types of learning to help learners reflect on their learning preferences and make full use of appropriate learning strategies to improve self-efficacy and learning efficiency.

●1.7Conducting independent learning

The section gives the definition of independent learning, and explains why independent learning is very important for the university students. In order to help students to achieve academic success, the instructor suggests some helpful strategies to promote independent learning. Finally in conclusion we get to know three factors---the self-driven motivation, informed choices and share of responsibility---can help students become a problem-solver, an effective time-manager and a lifelong learner.

●1.8Becoming a good time manager

In this section, we are going to discuss how to manage your time to improve your academic performance. We will examine different forms of procrastination and discuss time management strategies to help you adjust how you think about time, improve your awareness of how you use time, and make change for peak performance.

第二章How to Engage with Academic Staff?

In this chapter, we will mainly focus on “How to Engage with Academic Staff” to achieve academic success. We will explore the following topics:
 How to participate the classroom discussion?
 How to learn through lectures?
 How to learn through seminars/tutorials?
 How to use the right style for effective communication?
 How to exchange emails: connecting with professors, peers, professionals?
 How to differentiate some high frequency phrases?

●2.1Participating the classroom discussion

University courses are meant to advance knowledge. Learning on the university level requires that you connect yourself with information and materials and actively participate in class. In this section, we will focus on 1. Teacher’s expectation; 2. Passive learning and Active learning; 3. twenty-four Active Learning Strategies.

●2.2Learning through lectures

Attending a lecture in English is not an easy task. We will explore the ways to learn through the lectures effectively. It includes strategies divided into 3 parts: Before the lecture; During the lecture; After the lecture.

●2.3Learning through seminars/tutorials

Asking questions and joining in discussions are important skills for university study. In many subjects, you will receive marks for tutorial participation and part of this mark reflects how active you have been in tutorial discussions. In this section, we will learn some strategies on how to learn through tutorials and seminars; how to contribute in discussion; how to lead a discussion; do’s and don’ts in discussion.

●2.4Using the right style for effective communication

Effective communication skills are essential to success in many aspects and areas of your life. Strong communication skills help you enjoy better relationships with friends and family. This section will introduce four basic types of communication styles (dominance，influence，steadiness，compliance) and how to become an effective communicator.

●2.5 Exchanging emails: connecting with professors, peers, professionals

In this section, you will learn how to communicate effectively with faculty, students and professionals using emails in English. The main points of this section are: preparation for email writing, reader analysis, email writing structure and writing specifications.

●2.6Differentiating some high frequency phrases

This section will introduce some high frequency phrases. Having them at hand can save you a lot of time, because a high percentage of the content of emails is made up of such standard phrases. They can also make your emails more varied. You need to be very aware of what these standard phrases are, and create your personal collection according to your own situation and what type of letter you often write.

第三章How to Take Effective Notes?

In this chapter，we will mainly focus on “How to Take Effective Notes”. It includes:
 Note-taking during lectures
 Four “uses” in note-taking
 Note-taking while reading
 Taking “active” notes
 Taking notes with visual images

●3.1 Note-taking during lectures

Do you sometimes struggle to determine what to write down during lectures? Have you ever found yourself wishing you could take better or more effective notes? This section will discuss the tips for becoming a better note-taker in lectures.

●3.2Four “Uses” in note-taking

Here are some practical strategies for taking notes. Four “uses” have been introduced in this section: use your pen, use your ears, use your body, and use your mind.

●3.3 Note-taking while reading

When you are new to university study, the amount of reading you are expected to do can be daunting. However, you can learn how to prepare yourself in advance and find ways to make it easier. This section outlines tips for effective note-taking while reading.

●3.4 Taking “active” notes

In this section, we examine the differences between passive notes and active notes, especially in academic settings. You may gain some insights into the benefits of active note-taking strategies.

●3.5Taking notes with visual images

Visual notes will be an effective learning tool for you, bringing your notes to life and making your thoughts coming alive on the page. This section briefly introduces three types of visual notes: mind maps, diagrams and sketch notes.

第四章 How to Join A Study Group?

In this chapter，we will mainly talk about “ How to Join A Study Group”. We will cover the following topics:
 Why do lecturers set group assignments?
 Why are study groups better than self-study?
 How to make the process work well?
 How to participate learning group discussion?
 How do individuals become team players?
 How to listen and share opinions in groups?

●4.1 Why do lecturers set group assignments

Group assignments are always assigned by professors at university to encourage involvement, interdependence, and a fair division of labour. In this section, we will explore why lecturers at universities design and set group assignments.

●4.2 Why are study groups better than self-study

A series of benefits of studying in a group have been examined in this section as to provide some insights into the unique features of group study. A comparison between group study and self-study has been also discussed.

●4.3 How to make the process work well

This section attempts to analyze why some students are reluctant to participate in study groups. Then we discuss about the practical ways to make group assignments work well.

●4.4How to participate in group discussion?

This section attempts to answer the following question: Why to learn group discussion skills; Why do we have discussions at university; What are the types of discussion; What is the Socratic Method; What makes an effective discussion?

●4.5How do individuals become team players

Team formation usually follows easily recognizable stages, known as forming, storming, norming, and performing. This section has discussed about these four stages university students might go through when they develop to be team players.

●4.6How to listen and share opinions in discussions?

In this section, we will explore the following three questions: How to listen to opinions in discussion effectively; How to voice an opinion in groups effectively; How to disagree effectively?

第五章How to Create Effective & Compelling Presentations?

In this chapter, we will mainly focus on “How to Create Effective & Compelling Presentations” by following the topics as:
 Structuring the presentation
 Delivering the presentation
 Using visual aids in communication
 Using your body in communication
 Interacting with audiences
 Learning presentation from Steve Jobs

●5.1How to structure the presentation?

In this part, we will discuss practical strategies of structuring a presentation, and focus on the need to develop an argument or report through the clear, logical progression of ideas.

●5.2How to deliver the presentation?

In this part, we suggest many ideas for invoking energy in your presentation style. We will follow the five steps to become an effective presenter.

●5.3 How to use visual aids in communication?

In this section, we will focus on “Using Visual Aids in Communication” by answering the following questions: Why use visual aids; How to use visual aids; What is a Pecha Kucha presentation?

●5.4 Interacting with Audience

Good interaction with the audience may be the key to success of a presentation. In this section you will learn how to conduct audience analysis, as well as do’s and don’ts for effective interaction with audience while presenting.

●5.5Learning presentaiton skills from Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was an astonishing presenter because he informed, inspired, and entertained. You don't have to reinvent the computer to become great at giving speeches. Learn to deliver a presentation from Steve jobs.

第六章How to Become An Efficient & Critical Reader

In this chapter, we will learn “How to become an efficient & critical reader” by following the topics:
Carrying out literature search
Two common speed reading techniques
Active reading techniques
SQ3R method
Critically reading the literature

●6.1 Carrying out literature search

University students are often overwhelmed by the heavy loads of reading work. This section gives the useful ways to carry out the literature research. It deals with the searching process from how to begin database search, how to evaluate whether the resources are reliable, to how to make notes in research work. Grasping these searching skills, students can effectively locate the relevant information and save time and energy in research work in the long run.

●6.2Two common speed reading techniques

The most frequently used speed reading techniques --- skimming and scanning have been covered in this section. We are going to look at some specific examples of skimming and scanning.

●6.3Active reading techniques

As you enter university, reading takes on a central role as part of your approach to learning. It is very important to read independently and effectively in academic study. Active reading means reading with an awareness of a purpose for reading. This section explores the active reading techniques which may benefit your learning.

●6.4SQ3R method

SQ3R is a reading comprehension method named for its five steps: survey, question, read, recite, and review. The method was introduced by Francis P. Robinson, an American education philosopher in his 1946 book Effective Study.

●6.5Reading the literature Critically

In this particular section, we are discussing about critical reading briefly. We explore what critical reading is, why we need to read critically, the features of critical reading, and how to read critically.

第七章How to Think Critically when Writing?

In this chapter, we will learn focus on “ How to Think Critically when Writing” by exploring from the following perspective:
 Knowing about the writing processes
 Understanding the common features of academic writing
 Critical analytical writing VS descriptive writing
 Reasoning
 Presenting arguments in logical orders
 Linking ideas together
 Proofreading out loud

●7.1Knowing about the writing processes

An important starting point for successful writing is finding your own way of doing it--your writing process. which consists of preparing, planning and drafting. Following these phases properly will enable you to write good essays.

●7.2Understanding the common features of academic writing

Academic English is the genre of English we use for research or study in universities. A good piece of academic writing should demonstrate such features as complexity, formality, precision, objectiveness, explicitness, accuracy, caution and responsibility.

●7.3Critical analytical writing VS descriptive writing

This section will introduce the distinction between critical and descriptive writing. What you need to remember is while a certain amount of description is necessary to set the context for your analysis, the main characteristic of academic writing is its critical element.

●7.4What is an argument

This section focuses on the concept of arguments. What is an argument? What are the essential elements of an arguments? How can we make a simple argument? These questions will be answered.

●7.5Structure of a critical essay

This section focuses on the basic structure of critical essays. How many parts are there in a critical essay? What should we write in each part? Look for answers in this section.

●7.6Reasoning

This section focuses on the meaning and elements of reasoning. The connection and difference between reasons and evidence can be a difficult part that entails students’ extra efforts.

●7.7Presenting arguments in logical orders

This section focuses on four reasoning patterns. Understanding the common elements underlying different reasoning patterns can be a difficult part that entails students’ extra efforts.

●7.8Linking ideas together

Cohesion is important for academic writing. This section will introduce devices that can help achieve cohesion.

●7.9Proofreading out loud

In this section, we will learn the strategy of proofreading by reading out loud. We will explore the issue by answering two questions: Why read out loud?How to read out loud?

第八章 How to Achieve Academic Integrity?

In this chapter, we will learn focus on “ How to Achieve Academic Integrity” by exploring from the following perspective:
The university as an intellectual community
Four types of academic misconduct
What is plagiarism
How to create proper English citations
What Plagiarism detection software could we use

●8.1The university as an intellectual community

One section of the Academic Integrity at Princeton has been shared in this class. Students will gain some insights of the rationale for the ethic of intellectual honesty that underlies all academic work at the university.

●8.2Four types of academic misconduct

This section outlines four different kinds of academic misconduct in university setting. Students are expected to understand how to avoid these practices.

●8.3 What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is one of the most common and frequently occurring categories of academic misconduct at university. This section examines what plagiarism is and how it is conducted.

●8.4How to create proper English citations?

Citations are a way of giving credit when certain material and ideas in your work come from another source. In this section, we discuss how to give credit to other researchers and allow your readers to track down the sources you have used.

●8.5 What plagiarism detection software to use?

The cases of academic cheating events call the public attention. University students should have an awareness of zero tolerance for academic plagiarism. It is necessary that students should be taught to avoid plagiarism. Sometimes students don’t purposely cheat. They just have no idea of how to deal with other people’s ideas in their own study work. This section supplies with the useful methods to avoid plagiarism and some commonly used plagiarism detection tools. With the help of these skills and tools, students can cultivate good habits of academic practice and fulfill the academic integrity.