DSS - Developing Study Skills

  • 990 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 1
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 1
    AQF level
  • research methodsUnit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Be able to

  1. Demonstrate an awareness of the hierarchical learning value of various study skills, and an ability to progress through this hierarchy towards higher-order learning skills.
  2. Use the basic skills of research, maintenance of learning materials and organisation of supervised assessments with academic integrity.
  3. Display proficiency with technological resources that facilitate study at higher levels.
  4. Describe standard approaches to theological understanding and their application to different Christian traditions and perspectives.
  5. Write basic exegetical notes on selected biblical texts.
  6. Recognise the value of theological studies for Christian living and a broad range of practical environments (such as delivering and attending to Bible studies and sermons).

Content

Section A: Learning Theory

The hierarchical nature of study skills and learning: from low order (eg. memorising, note taking, explaining) to high order (eg. relating, applying, theorising) skills

Section B: Advanced Study Skills

  • Advanced scholarly referencing.
  • Logistics of simple research (eg. literature searches and basic surveys).
  • Design and maintenance of journals and portfolios for practical assessment units.
  • Arrangements for supervision and mentoring assessments.

Section C: Learning with Technology

  • Engaging with online learning tools.
  • Technological aids to learning.

Section D: Understanding Theology

  • Biblical theology (understanding passages in its immediate and broader biblical contexts) and systematic theology (fitting passages into broader patterns of Christian thought).
  • Reading theologically: the context and viewpoint of theological texts.

Section E: Applying Theology

  • Exegetical notes as foundation for other theological tasks.
  • Teaching and sharing with others: Bible studies and sermons.
  • Effective reflection of ministry in practical assessments

Assessments

Colleges can utilise the assessments set by the ACT or submit an alternate scheme to the scanner. For example:

Assessment 1 (50%)

Small outcomes-based learning tasks/activities on each section of the syllabus

Assessment 2 (25%) (Sections A, B, C)

Select one of the following below to submit.

1. Select a non-fiction book on a topic of your choice and use it to illustrate the hierarchical nature of study skills. You may use audio, video and text media in your illustration.

2. Choose three academic theological sources and properly reference them. Use information in these sources such as footnotes, bibliographic data, or unexplored ideas in the text to suggest avenues of further research, and indicate how they might be used to answer a question of your own construction.

3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a device such as an electronic tablet as a study tool, and how it might affect the learning experience. Support your argument from at least 3 resources. 

Assessment 3 (25%) (Sections C, D)

Select one of the following below to submit.

1. Compare and contrast three theological perspectives.

2. Write a Bible study using exegetical notes you have written. Include an explanation of your process.

Set Readings

Academic:

Monash University study tutorial resources

Essay writing tutorial

http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/general/essay/index.xml

General study skills tutorial

http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/study/index.xml

Exams tutorial

http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/study/exam/index.xml

Basics of APA referencing style tutorial

http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm?__utma=185732729.1389325345.1325493190.1325493190.1325493190.1&__utmb=185732729.4.10.1325493190&__utmc=185732729&__utmx=-&__utmz=185732729.1325493190.1.1.utmcsr=%28direct%29|utmccn=%28direct%29|utmcmd=%25

Soles, D. (2005). The academic essay: how to plan, draft, write and revise. Taunton: Studymates

Thomson, Anne (2002). Critical Reasoning: a practical introduction. Routledge (later chapters).

Clark, A., (2008). e-Learning Skills (Palgrave Study Skills), (2nd Edn) Palgrave

 

Theological:

Yancey, P. (1990). I Was Just Wondering. Grand Rapids.

Hawkins, T. (1999). Fruit that Will Last. Self Published.

Shelley, B.L. (1982). Church History in Plain Language. Word.

Milne, B. (1999). Know the Truth. IVP.

Elwell, W. (2001) Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Baker Academic.

Available At