Little books to support academic skills
Type of snapshot
Central services provision e.g. library, learning development, e-learning, ICT
What was the context for this snapshot?
This resource was developed from one publication – the ‘Little Book of Skills for Learning’ which was a small printed booklet (103 x 143 mm and 52 pages long) intended as a taster of the support available on our study skills website, ‘Skills for Learning.’ This booklet was so successful that the idea has been expanded into a whole series of ‘Little Books’. Topics covered so far are: Time management, Essay writing, Research and Information Skills (the last title was produced by our Academic Librarians under the series banner). The books are also available as accessible pdf documents on the website.
The ‘Little Books’ are professionally printed in colour, with numerous examples and photographs. They re-use content from the website which has been edited and re-written to fit the small printed format; the books are not intended to be exhaustive guides.
What kind of learners were involved in accessing this provision or support?
This books have been distributed to students from all parts of the University, at all levels, usually through their course teams.
What skills or literacies were particularly being addressed?
The ‘Little Books’ are designed to introduce students to some essential academic skills which they can explore further through the ‘Skills for Learning’ website.
Who provided the support? How was support provided?
The ‘Little Books’ were produced by the ‘Skills for Learning’ study skills support unit, which is part of ‘Libraries and Learning Innovation’. The content was adapted from the ‘Skills for Learning’ website by team members with knowledge of the relevant topics (with the exception of the ‘Little Book of Information Skills’, see above). Graphic design was done by the team’s learning technologist. The ‘Little Books’ can be used individually or in teaching sessions.
Benefits, outcomes, and lessons learned
The ‘Little Books’ have been well received in the University and copies have been requested by many academic staff – to give to their students. We have been asked by our Pro-Vice Chancellor for Learning and Teaching to investigate “franchising” of the books to other universities.