Resources published by LearnHigher

A set of four referencing exercises, complete with answers. Exercises cover: Is a Reference Needed? Where Should the Citations Go? “ I Didn’t Reference the Source Because…” Referencing Errors.

This resource encourages students to write on a given topic for a set amount of time. It is is designed to test information recall ability as well as help students...

This reading camp provides a space where students work on enhancing their academic reading skills. It enables students to develop strategies for approaching academic reading through the use of structured...

A group session where students discuss and interpret typical feedback statements from Turnitin. In small groups they then go on to read feedback given to students and offer advice as...

Five screencast videos tackle different chapters and aspects of the dissertation writing process. Discuss the requirements of each dissertation chapter. Apply the advice to your own dissertation The videos include...

A flexible resource that supports learners to assess their current employability skills. Focus is given to a number of developmental areas that employers review and assess as part of a...

This video identifies three common parts in conclusion paragraphs for essays, and provides an example text for each part. Suitable for students who are writing their first academic essay.

The feedback action planning sheet is intended to help students understand what feedback might mean and their role in providing and using feedback, and to request feedback on specific aspects...

What are digital capabilities and why are they important? Technology is entering nearly all aspects of our life, this video helps to explain why it is important to think about...

This is a worksheet to be used to structure the examination of the writing in example assessments. Rather than just allowing students to read through examples to see what they...

This is a series of animated videos called Learn Hacks designed to help students from Undergraduate level to PhD to take advantage of technologies, tools and ideas to maximise their...

This resource details specific strategies for students facing common difficulties with their work, which may lead to procrastination. This includes how to cope with multiple tasks, poor concentration, how to...

This resource includes further resources on handling information and research as well as effective time management and allocation. It may always feel like you haven't got enough time, but where...

A table outlining features of essays and reports in relation to one another.

This resource identifies the key terms used in Mathematics assignments, defining them in a way in which assists student understanding of assignment titles and questions.

This resource highlights the importance of fully considering an essay title and offers guidance on essay title interpretation. The resource suggests how identifying directive words, the topic area and limiting...

A classroom activity which helps to develop understanding of the reasons why reports are organised as they are. Further to this, it highlights the differing writing styles appropriate for each...

If you are already fairly experienced with referencing in assignments, you could test your knowledge on Advanced Referencing’ with these exercises. Set of 3 short exercises, complete with answers and...

Brief student-facing guide to academic reading - originally produced by Angela Taylor & Judy Turner from the University of Reading

This booklet, produced by the University of Bradford, has been described by the University of Kent as an "Excellent general guide to references and bibliographies. It follows Harvard. This is extremely...

Use this worksheet with four referencing exercises that can be used with your students. There is an 'answers and comments' section toward the end of the worksheet.

These resources can be used in a staff development session to generate discussion among teaching and learning development staff on issues relating to why reference, referencing styles, when to reference,...

This pack contains resources to support student projects in the local community. The resource was designed to be used with first year undergraduate students taking part in group based community...

A customisable example of a booklet to support students through the induction process. This template was developed as part of a larger scheme to enhance the induction provision for enrolled...

Templates to support students in developing strategies for critical reflection on a work-based learning programme at the University of Manchester.  These can all be adapted to suit your own purposes. There...

This resource provides customisable templates for learning contracts together with a commentary on their use in a work-based context. The resource offers a range of reflective learning contracts designed to...

This resource includes a handout outlining for students the key points in action planning, as well as an action planning template for students to complete. The resource can be used...

Introductory notes and template for a learning agreement. This agreement forms the basis for portfolio development for a PG Cert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, and it can...

This resource includes guidance notes for developing a learning contract for self-directed study, together with a template for the Learning Contract. It is designed to be used by adult students...

Students can assess their listening skills by completing this listening skills audit. There are 30 statements; consider each in turn and either disagree or agree. At the end they will...

This activity is designed to help students to understand and be able to identify different styles of question. The students discuss in pairs or groups the questions which are listed,...

This activity is designed to help students to develop conversation styles and techniques based on effective use of questioning styles; and to appreciate the impact of body language. The students...

Adapted from the University of Plymouth critical thinking study guide. This guide provides students with additional tips to help them apply models of critical thinking to their writing.

A brief introduction to staff and students interpretations of critical thinking

A website hosting a number a number of staff and student resources to support the development of oral communication

A brief introduction to critical thinking.

A website hosting a number a number of staff and student resources to support the development of visual learning

You can read an essay submitted by a UK higher education student for an essay writing competition sponsored by LearnHigher. The set title was ‘What is the point of referencing?’ and...

The difference between descriptive and critical writing It is important that students understand the difference between descriptive writing and adopt a critical stance, and are able to show clear evidence...

A helpsheet outling a step by step explanation of the analysis of research findings. This includes an example of the process. We interviewed academics who set reports as assignments. They...

A helpsheet explaining how to write clearly and concisely. Includes sections on the use of long words and abbreviations. Better report writing isn’t just about getting your information in the...

Download suggested answers for organising your report activity.

This guide is designed to show you how to adapt your current report writing practices for doing a longer independent research project like a dissertation. If you are planning to...

About the Activity This activity is designed to help student identify the appropriate level and style of academic writing for reports. It also gives students practice in rewriting and correcting...

What's wrong with the way these images, graphs and diagrams have been used? How could you improve them? A practical activity to show how to best include graphical data in...

A quick checklist for an effective report. A key feature of reports is that they are formally structured in sections. The use of sections makes it easy for the reader...

An introduction to the effective use of graphical data.

A detailed explanation of the content of subsections of a report. This includes information about titles for sections as well as suggested content.

This resource includes a list of commonly perceived tropes of sub-standard reports as well as a detailed breakdown of suggested content of report sections.

Often report writing at university is presented as deceptively simple – all you need to do is ensure you follow the required report structure, and write clearly and concisely. But...

A resource which would be particularly useful for staff teaching on a creative writing programme. Includes two structured writing exercises and information on free writing. These materials support activities for...

A downloadable workbook for students which can be tailored to different essay questions. The workbook structures enables the essay to be structured in an orderly way, allowing for the process...

An overview of some of the roles in group project meetings. Includes an outline of responsibilities for chair, record keeper, time keeper and task manager. Here are some examples of...

A mindmap map of ten top tips for effective notemaking practice.

This resource includes ideas for initiating discussions about writing with students, and facilitates the opportunity to begin writing assignments during the activity. This session explores typical approaches to academic writing...

An activity to get students thinking about what group rules they might want to set for the project groups. This exercise is ideally done with the class divided into small...

This is an exercise in effective communication (particularly listening) and organisation skills. Participants are given partial information and must communicate with the group to find a solution to a problem....

A classroom exercise in group organisation. Students are asked to create a template agenda for use in their project meetings. This is an exercise in group organisation. The class should...

An overview of some tips for creating your team. It covers some of the steps to take at the outset of a group work project to ensure that the group...

Advice on how to communicate effectively, particularly in a group working environment. Areas covered include active listening, body language and clarity of expression. An effective team communicates well. Poor communication...

An overview of tips to effectively manage group work projects. It covers breaking down the task, scheduling and setting deadlines, communicating and monitoring progress. Good teams are organised and plan...

An overview of tips for providing and receiving useful and constructive feedback in a group working environment. It covers tips for both giving and receiving feedback. An important part of...

An overview of things to consider when setting ground rules for a group work project. It covers rules around personal conduct and working practice, as well as an outline of...

This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to student group work. It covers topics such as how and why groupwork is used in HE, getting started with your group, personalities and...

Some sample documents to help students get started with organising their group project meetings. Includes a sample meeting agenda, and sample minutes from a group project meeting.

A free online tutorial to help students develop their data analysis skills. The tutorial looks at quantitative and qualitative data analysis, with some practical examples and advice on effectively analysing...

A free online tutorial that will help you develop students' data collection skills. The tutorial looks at quantitative and qualitative data collection, with some practical examples and advice on effectively...

A short description of an end of teaching period activity which encourages students to take notes.

A student helpsheet describing a process for effective strategies for notemaking in lectures. Includes notes on preparation and process.

A series of suggestions on how to engage students in effective notemaking at appropriate times.

About the Activity This activity is designed to focus on the importance of identifying the purpose and audience of their report. It shows how a report on the same topic...

This guide provides an overview of research methods and methodologies, including practical advice for those new to research, and tips on how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls...

This resource identifies how attention to punctuation, particularly standard comma use, may improve coherence and grades. The main uses of commas are identified, such as listing, bracketing and joining. Explanations...

This resource prompts students to initially consider what the assignment question is asking directly, by identifying key phrases. Although variant upon subject, the resource identifies general definitions for key words...

Sometimes the hardest part about an assessment is just getting started. Use this guide to brainstorming to get your ideas flowing for your next assessment. This resource offers the 'mindmapping'...

This activity is good for helping students to fully understand the assignment question. This activity is based on the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) approach to academic writing that encourages...

Highlighting the importance of structure to constructing clear and effective communication, this resource offers advice on improving structure and planning in academic writing. The resource offers techniques, particularly essay focus...

This resource features a podcast which focuses upon academic writing technique. The podcast particularly concerns lecturer feedback regarding the importance of focusing on the essay title given.

This resource highlights the importance of clear and effective paragraphing to essay coherence. The resource explains the basic aims and structure of a paragraph, along with a checklist of features....

An overview of some techniques to get started with writing after conducting research for an assignment. Includes information about planning, freewriting, structuring and writing paragraphs. Includes a worksheet for students...

This resource identifies the common key features of academic writing, such as formality, correct grammar and a logical structure, and how this may be different from other forms of writing.

This activity can help students structure a plan for their assignment. The activity is good for ensuring that students actually answer the question posed in the assignment. In many coursework...

This resource, a podcast, offers advice on revision techniques and dealing with examination stress. This includes varying peer-to-peer tips, as well as lecturer guidance.

This resource highlights the importance of planning work, and how this may improve essay coherence and structure. According to personal preference, the resource offers the linear, cornell or mindmapping approach...

This resource highlights the importance of referencing to the overall assignment quality. The resource directs students to proof-read their work and identify correct use of referencing in the main body...

This resource offers guidance for students on achieving the best possible marks in assessments. Tips include understanding the question or brief, practicality, an awareness of assessment criteria, planning and previous...

This resource details key assessment pointers, including basic assessment principles and the implications of current design. This workshop is aimed at staff; either those new to teaching, or departments looking...

Highlighting the importance of assessment feedback, this resource offers advice on how students may make the most out of any comments received. Guidance includes reading feedback as soon as it...

Self and peer assessment helps students to understand assessment criteria by their application of the criteria to their own and other students’ work. Includes tips for designing effective assessments.

This resource discusses the dialogue between staff and students about written feedback. Includes tips to help develop effective feedback forms, with a particular focus on designing the sheets and how...

This resource includes tips on how to ensure the needs of students with disabilities are considered when designing learning assessments. Particular points of consideration regarding common types of disability are...

This resource provides tips with ideas for alternative types of assessment (such as case-studies, groupwork and practicals) and how this may help to engage students and develop their skillset.

This resource includes tips on how to prevent and eradicate the appeal for plagiarism. Ideas for task and assessment design are suggested, with a particular focus on the research process.

This resource includes tips on designing assessments with particular focuses on learning outcomes, and assessment criteria.

Assessment influences what a student sees as important in their modules. Good assessment design can enhance student learning or promote a superficial approach of churning out work for the ‘production...

This resource includes further resources detailing the importance of feedback and how students can make the most of any feedback received, in order to improve their work. This workshop is...

This resource offers tips in preparation for Maths assessments which may help students to improve their work.

This resource details guidance for students on how to compose weekly, termly and project timetables. The resource provides further tools, with a particular focus on being realistic whilst flexible with...

This is a resource includes tips and an idea for an activity which encourages independent learning through effective time management and organisational skills.

This resource contains organisational guidance for students to help them stay on top of their work-load, further their time management skills and consequently reduce stress levels. This includes the importance...

This activity is included in the LearnHigher workshop, Get started and keep going. It can also be run as a standalone activity or embedded in subject teaching. The activity Dealing...

This activity is included in the LearnHigher workshop, Making more hours in the day. It can also be run as a standalone activity or embedded in subject teaching. This resource...

This resource contains guidance for students on managing their time effectively. This includes pointers on developing study practices, prioritising tasks and actively putting personal study first.

We are constantly bombarded by things competing to attract our attention. So it's not surprising that trying to avoid distractions is an issue, not only at university, but in all...

This resource for students details five key steps for taking control of your workload. This includes listing tasks to complete, breaking down big tasks into smaller steps, organising tasks under...