SW4005 - Academic Information Skills and Critical Reflection

What will I learn on this module?

This module aims to provide you with the initial foundations for acquisition and critical appraisal of knowledge with which to support your learning across the programme and evidence informed professional judgements in social work practice. These foundations will include the acquisition of academic information skills, key skills of critical reflection and an understanding of fundamental principles of social work research and knowledge creation and include consideration of relevant ethical issues. As well as being important in their own right, the development of academic skills have direct transferable benefits to placement and practice including record keeping, report writing and confidence in evidence informed presentations.

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, self-directed study, and Northumbria University Study Skills Resources.
Lectures will cover key academic information skills and critical appraisal skills on knowledge. Seminars will have strong practical orientation, featuring activities wherein students will apply knowledge gained from the lectures in the form of practical examples and small group activities. Throughout the module you will be asked to reflect on what is known and your own standpoint on this, and seminars will aim to offer a safe space for discussion and debate. You will be asked to share your own skills with peers in order to maximise your own and each other’s learning. This addresses the need to recognise the impact of differences of viewpoint when gathering information and skills in being able to appraise the reliability and relevance of the information gathered. It also recognises the fact that students will come to academic skills with different levels of familiarity, strengths and levels of confidence and comfort.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Support will include feedback from seminar tutors and peers during seminars, as well as through formative feedback as part of the formative assessment tasks. In addition, your seminar tutor will respond to questions via the module’s discussion board on the Blackboard Ultra e-Learning (eLP) site so that the whole group can benefit, along with a dedicated whole-group assignment support session.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

At the end of the module you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Recognise and describe why evidence is important in social work practice, with an awareness of ethical issues.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Demonstrate the ability to locate, evaluate and present evidence to support practice.
3. Understand the role of reflective practice and demonstrate basic skills of critical reflection.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Identify your own standpoint on what is known.

How will I be assessed?

The formative assessment comprises a group presentation based on an extracted task from the summative assessment. Formative assessment feedback will be provided verbally by your peers as well as your seminar tutor.
(MLO 1,2,4)

The summative assessment will be a 1,500-word structured enquiry-based task, demonstrating the ability to find and appraise evidence in relation to a given practice-based topic and bringing together the skills newly developed through the module. Submission is electronic via Turnitin. The assignment comprises 100% of the module mark. Summative assessment written feedback will be provided by the module team via Turnitin.
(MLO 1,2,3,4)

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

SW4000, SW4001, SW4002, SW4003, SW4004.

Module abstract

This module will provide you with the initial foundations for acquisition and critical appraisal of knowledge to support your learning across the programme and evidence informed professional judgements in practice.
Learning and teaching will comprise lectures, seminars, group work, independent study and supported use of Northumbria University Study Skills Resources. We recognise and value that each student will bring different skills and ideas to the module and intend that you will be supported to share these with one another to maximise your learning during this module.
This module will help you develop key skills for your academic work and future employment, such as finding and reflecting upon evidence, critical writing, critical understanding, how to manage yourself and your time effectively, make judgements, work towards independence in learning and practice and communicate with individuals and groups in a range of settings using a variety of media. Through this module, you will also acquire and apply the habits of critical reflection, self-evaluation and questioning assumptions, and develop your understanding of ethical issues in relation to social work interventions in specific situations.

Course info

UCAS Code L503

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time

School Communities and Education

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2027

Fee Information

Module Information

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