Academic and Digital Literacy
10 Credits (ECTS)
Academic and Digital Literacy
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Module Description
This module equips students with the foundational academic and digital skills required for effective study and communication in higher education. It includes research, referencing, academic writing, and the use of productivity tools.
This module aims to introduce learners to academic writing and to help them obtain good standards of academic writing which they can use throughout the modules. The module is also intended to support learners with various opportunities to understand the importance of, as well as, use various tools and resources which help academic writing.
During the module, learners will be given opportunities to explore various academic literature sources such as books, journals, and other robust sources. Discussions about how to identify robust sources are also expected to happen during this module. Learners will also be equipped with skills on how to approach literature and how to navigate online libraries and repositories.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course (which does not lead to a regulated profession) will possess:
- A qualification at MQF Level 4 (one ‘A’ Level or equivalent in any subject) and a pass in English Language* and Mathematics at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent).
- In the case of students who do not possess all the formal required academic qualifications, then the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process could be applied such that if evidence of equivalent learning is found then the applicant could still be accepted on the course. Such RPL process will subject applicants to an interview held with a board of experts within the field, chosen specifically by IDEA College, so as to verify their experiences and prior learning.
*Students whose first language is not English and do not possess an ‘O’ level pass in English Language will be required to demonstrate English language capability through certifications such as IELTS certificate with a score of 6.0 or OET with a minimum score of B in speaking and at least C+ in listening, reading and writing.
Target Audience
- Individuals aspiring to build fundamental knowledge and skills in Management as part of a first-cycle (undergraduate) degree.
- Individuals aiming to pursue diverse career paths in areas such as business administration, marketing, human resource management, operations, entrepreneurship, and project management.
- Individuals seeking employment or career progression in sectors including private enterprise, public administration, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), retail, finance, hospitality, and emerging industries.
- Individuals interested in developing transferable skills such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, which are applicable across multiple professional contexts.
Career Paths
This programme does not lead directly to a regulated profession. However, it equips graduates with the academic background and practical competencies required to pursue professional development opportunities.
The possible positions for which this programme aims to prepare, are middle-management to senior posts such as: Manager / Senior Manager / Head of Department / Director etc., of any organisation both in the private and public sector.
The programme also provides a foundation for further studies at postgraduate level in management or related disciplines.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Develop academic writing and referencing skills.
- Strengthen information literacy.
- Use digital tools effectively to support academic work and collaboration.
- Produce various pieces of writing to show their competence in academic writing.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Develop academic writing and referencing skills.
- Strengthen information literacy.
- Use digital tools effectively to support academic work and collaboration.
- Produce various pieces of writing to show their competence in academic writing.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Write structured and properly referenced academic texts in accordance with scholarly conventions.
- Make use of digital tools and platforms effectively to support personal productivity, communication, and collaboration.
- Navigate academic databases and retrieve credible, high-quality sources for research and assignments.
- Apply critical reading strategies to evaluate and synthesise information from diverse sources.
- Organise academic work and deadlines using digital planning and document management tools.
- Investigate how these various elements change depending on the purpose of the academic writing (e.g., when writing for a qualitative research paper, when writing for a quantitative research paper, etc.)
- Evaluate how academic writing fosters personal and professional development within learners.
- Be reflexive (think, analyse, act) in his/her approach to academic writing in order to grow professionally.
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Establish a positive attitude towards approaching academic writing.
- Demonstrate proficiency in academic writing and citation using recognised styles (e.g. APA, Harvard).
- Collaborate effectively through digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Google Docs.
- Select and use appropriate tools for organising academic tasks and managing digital files.
- Present own discussion and developments in a logical and organised manner through approaches of critical feedback and self-reflection.
- Engage with peers and/or team members to share and reflect on own development.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to benefit from assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.