The main purpose of ALDE 111 (the introductory module for academic literacy) is to assist students (that's you) in developing and acquiring the necessary academic literacy skills (i.e. academic listening, academic reading, and academic writing skills) to help them function effectively in an academic environment. The use of language in academia (e.g. universities) is highly contextualized and complex. For example, in academic discourse (discussion or dialogue), language performs diverse functions such as lengthy argumentation, exposition (implied judgments), substantiation, clarification, and conclusion. You are, therefore, expected to utilize language efficiently to explain, define, compare, contrast, classify, validate, refute, illustrate, elaborate, make claims, highlight implications, infer, exemplify, anticipate, and draw valuable conclusions. Yes, that is quite a mouthful, but in due course, you will be introduced to all these proficiencies (skills).
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
Analyse and Differentiate Educational Contexts
Compare and contrast the distinct characteristics and expectations of secondary school education and university education, highlighting how these differences impact learning approaches and student responsibilities.
Identify and Define Literacy Skills
Distinguish between generic literacy skills and academic literacy competencies essential for success in university studies, while articulating the overarching purpose of academic literacy in higher education.
Recognise Time Management Strategies
Understand the significance of effective time management in academic success, and apply practical strategies to prioritize tasks and enhance productivity.
Assess Personal Learning Styles
Gain insight into your individual learning style, evaluating how it influences your study habits and academic performance, and explore strategies to leverage your strengths for improved learning outcomes.
Develop Essential Digital Literacy Skills
Describe the fundamental digital literacy skills required for academic success, including information evaluation, online communication, and the effective use of digital tools for research and collaboration.
Did you know that as a NWU student you have access to a free Microsoft365 account? This means that you can use the latest Microsoft products, including Word, Excel, and Outlook. Take a look at the instructions below to access and setup your NWU Microsoft account?
One of the perks of being a NWU student is the fact that you have access to a Microsoft 365 account. This account allows you to install and use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook on your device. To install Microsoft 365 follow the instructions below:
Go to https://portal.office.com (Click here to follow the sign in procedure.)
Students: Sign in with University#@mynwu.ac.za
(e.g. 12345678@mynwu.ac.za ). No password is required at this point.
You will then be redirected to the NWU’s sign-in option page. Choose Active directory. Your username will display. Enter your
University password (Students: the same one used for eFundi).
Download and install or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2019 on a PC or Mac
As a part of your NWU Microsoft 365 account you also have access to an official NWU email account. It is to this official email account that all notifications will be sent. To ensure that you receive these emails, follow the steps below to setup you NWU email account (you can also visit the IT website by clicking here).
After installing Microsoft 365, use the Outlook desktop client to access your email.
If you don't have the Outlook client installed, you can also use the Webmail client to access your email online. (When asked
between Work/School and Personal account, choose Work/School account; When asked between NWU Single Sign-on and Active
directory, choose Active directory).
Student IT Services: NWU IT offers various services to support you throughout your academic journey. You can visit their website for more information regarding the services offered.
Mahikeng Students - Click here
Potchefstroom Students - Click here
Vanderbijlpark Students - Click here
You should also work through the Student IT Services document. You will find clear how-to instructions on:
Student or eFundi passwords
WiFi setup (Android and Apple)
Gmail and Google Drive
Office 365
WiFi setup (Laptop, MacBook, etc.)
Uninstalling anti-virus software blocking access to the NWU WiFi
Click here to access the Student IT Services Document.
The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers various services to help you succeed. To find out more about exactly what these services include, visit the CTL homepage.
To succeed as a student it is important to understand the context and requirements of university studies. An important question towards understanding your new academic environment is to ask whether university education is at all different from high school education and if it is, in what way is it different? Once that has been established, you should measure yourself with regard to your abilities and skills and ask whether you are prepared adequately for university education. Although some first-year students who register at a university for the first time know partly what to expect of studies at a university, many did not have the luxury of speaking to knowledgeable people who could give them information about higher education.
Your new academic environment
From the image above you can see that there are distinct differences between studying at high school and at a university. It is only when these differences are clear to you that you are able to measure yourself against what is required of students at university. Once you understand these requirements and skills, you are ready to embark on a journey that will ensure academic success.
The most important aspect of both high school and university education is writing and passing the final examination (landmark events that determine whether you have fulfilled the requirements for the specific level of study). In high school, it is the final Grade 12 examination, while at university, it is the end-of-semester examination or the end-of-year examination (for all your modules). Some of your modules will represent your first contact with a specific subject matter (specific information). It is for this very reason that we cannot really compare subject content between secondary school and university.
Characteristics of the university study environment
At university you need to accept responsibility and take control of your own learning. Learning is a choice in the sense that you choose to learn. We refer to this approach as self-directed learning. The university offers a number of learning opportunities and expects that students would make full use of these opportunities. This will enable you to graduate in a reasonable period of time. Apart from the obvious goal of gaining knowledge that would enable you to function well in a specific profession one day, one could also think about your studies in terms of their monetary value. In very blunt terms, every student has to pay for the education he/she receives at a university. If, for example, you do not attend a specific class, you may just as well have taken that fraction of your tuition fees and given it to the next person you meet. Similarly, if you do not concentrate in a class and, as a result, do not use the learning opportunity afforded to you, you waste money.
Self-directed learning
The responsibility to study now rests solely with you. Self-directed learning means that you take responsibility and that you manage your studies on your own. This implies that nobody will tell you when to study, or how to study. What we do know is that it is expected of you to read a lot and your lecturers will not necessarily check to see if you have read all the prescribed texts. To take charge of your studies, you not only have to improve your ability to read actively and continually, you also need to be aware of the strategies needed to master your study material. You should regularly test whether you understand the work – this is called ‘self-assessment’. To promote self-directed learning, it is important to know what is expected of you for a particular module. To this end, every university sets learning outcomes for each module and degree. An additional and important aspect of self-directed learning is to reflect on your own method of studying, which includes not only learning styles and study habits, but also sleeping patterns, diet and exercise. All these aspects contribute to the success of your studies and your completion of this module.
Time Management
Your schedule (and life in general) as a high school student was mostly regulated by teachers and parents. In a sense, they told you what you should be doing at any given time. At university, just the opposite is true: You will experience much more freedom to do with your time as you wish. Although lectures still take place at fixed times, it is your responsibility to make sure that you attend these lectures. Similarly, it is up to you to work out when and how much time you need to study for tests and examinations in order to manage your different subjects successfully.
Obviously, there is not a one-solution-fits-all approach to time management. Every student should be aware of how much time and effort he/she should invest in order to be successful. You must decide on a timetable that reflects (matches) your ability and then diligently keep at it. Not managing your time will lead to situations where you will be forced to do ‘crisis management’ before tests and exams – a last-resort effort which will probably set you up for failure. Another important aspect to remember is that successful time management depends on a delicate balance between your studies and recreational activities. You have to create a careful balance between the intellectual challenges of your studies and doing other things for pure enjoyment.
In order to manage your time optimally, you have to set certain goals. As soon as you know what you want to achieve and how long it will take to do so, it will become easier to determine how best to spend your time. Distinguish between short-term and long-term goals. Be particularly careful to stick to short-term goals, because that enables you to meet long-term objectives. There are various websites, online tests, and discussions on time management. Here are a few links:
10 Time Management Skills and Techniques for Students
What are some effective ways to measure the success of a time management framework?
Learning Styles
A learning style is an umbrella term that differentiates between the different preferential ways to process and internalise new information. Some people prefer to talk out loud when they are learning, others draw little pictures or doodles etc. Regardless of your preferred learning style, while at university, it will be expected of you to follow a self-directed approach to your studies. University education will be more demanding mainly because it will be expected of you to study independently. Also, whereas high school studies often required mere memorisation of facts given to you by your teachers (with only some application of these facts), it will now be expected of you at times to identify the important ideas in a text yourself and to have strategies you could use to remember such important ideas. Most importantly, however, is that you will be required to make use of the knowledge you gain in the practical application of solving real-life problems with such knowledge. You may also find that, in addition to the work being more demanding intellectually, the workload may be more than you expected. Again, with regard to study skills, it is important to have a well-organised plan according to which you study. You will know best how much time and effort you need to study any section of work. You will also know which subjects you find more difficult than others and for which you should, therefore, allow more time in order to study them successfully.
Your success in university depends heavily on two crucial skills: academic literacy and digital literacy. While you'll formally explore these concepts in your ALDE module, you will apply the skills developed here in ALL your modules while studying, and even when you start your career.
What exactly does academic and digital literacy entail? Well, for starters, both demand critical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to navigate complex information. Let's break it down for you.
Academic Literacy equips you with the tools to understand and engage with scholarly texts. This includes:
Critical Reading: Analysing arguments, identifying biases, and evaluating evidence.
Effective Writing: Crafting clear, concise, and well-structured essays, reports, and presentations.
Research & Information Literacy: Finding, evaluating, and citing credible sources.
Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Analysing complex issues, developing solutions, and making informed decisions.
Digital Literacy empowers you to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. It includes:
Information & Media Literacy: Evaluating the credibility of online sources, identifying misinformation, and navigating the digital landscape effectively.
Digital Communication: Communicating effectively through email, social media, online forums, and other digital platforms.
Digital Tools & Technologies: Utilizing software, online resources, and digital tools for learning, research, and productivity.
Digital Citizenship: Understanding and practicing responsible online behavior, including online safety, privacy, and ethical considerations.
Remember: These skills are not isolated. They are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. By honing both your academic and digital literacy, you'll be well-equipped to succeed in your studies and beyond.
Academic literacy refers to the specific skills and knowledge required to succeed in an academic environment. These include the ability to read and critically evaluate academic texts, write structured and well-supported arguments, engage with scholarly sources, and participate in academic discourse. Essentially, academic literacy equips students with the tools to navigate the demands of university study effectively.
As a first-year student, you may find that university is very different from high school. At university, you are expected to think critically, engage deeply with your field of study, and communicate your ideas clearly. Without a strong foundation in academic literacy, you may struggle to meet these expectations. Here are some key reasons why this module is vital:
Bridging the Gap: Academic literacy helps you transition from high school learning, which often focuses on rote memorisation, to the critical thinking and independent learning required at university.
Improved Communication: Clear and effective communication is essential in every discipline. This module teaches you how to express your ideas logically, coherently, and persuasively in both written and spoken forms.
Understanding Expectations: Academic literacy introduces you to the conventions of academic writing, such as referencing and avoiding plagiarism, which are crucial for maintaining academic integrity.
Lifelong Skills: The skills you develop in this module—critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication—are not only essential for your university studies but are also highly valued in the workplace.
Adaptation to Multilingual Contexts: In South Africa, where multilingualism is a reality, academic literacy can also help you navigate and communicate effectively in a diverse linguistic and cultural environment.
By mastering academic literacy, you will feel more confident in tackling assignments, understanding complex readings, and contributing meaningfully to class discussions. Moreover, these skills will empower you to approach your studies with independence and maturity, laying a solid foundation for success throughout your academic journey and beyond.
Digital literacy refers to the ability to effectively and responsibly use digital technologies for learning, communication, and problem-solving. It goes beyond basic computer skills, focusing on understanding, evaluating, and creating information in a digital environment.
Basic Computer Skills: Knowing how to use computers, as well as applications like word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
Information Literacy: The ability to find, evaluate, and use digital information critically. This includes understanding the reliability of online sources and recognising misinformation.
Communication Skills: Using digital platforms such as email, social media, and collaboration tools effectively and ethically to connect with others.
Safety and Security: Understanding how to protect personal information, recognise online threats, and use cybersecurity practices.
Digital Creation: The ability to create content such as documents, videos, or blogs, and to use tools like photo editing or website design software.
Ethical Awareness: Respecting intellectual property, avoiding plagiarism, and understanding the social and ethical implications of digital interactions.
In our increasingly connected world, digital literacy is essential for academic success, professional development, and daily life. For university students, it enables effective research, collaboration, and participation in online learning environments. It also prepares you for the demands of the 21st-century workplace, where technology is integrated into almost every aspect of professional life. Moreover, in a South African context, digital literacy can help bridge the digital divide, promoting equal access to information and opportunities. It empowers individuals to navigate challenges such as limited internet access, and it fosters innovation in addressing local and global issues.
By mastering digital literacy, you will be better equipped to:
Engage actively in online learning platforms and resources.
Communicate effectively with peers and lecturers.
Protect your digital identity and maintain your online safety.
Participate confidently in a global, technology-driven society.
Digital literacy is not just about learning technology—it is about using it wisely and creatively to enhance your learning, productivity, and future career opportunities.
There are quite a number of similarities between academic and digital literacy. Imagine academic literacy as the foundation of your academic journey – it's about the core skills like critical reading, effective writing, and research. Now, picture digital literacy as the thread that weaves through this foundation. It's about how you use technology to enhance your learning. You can't do research without digital skills to find and evaluate online sources. Effective communication in today's university often involves digital platforms like email and online forums. And let's not forget the power of technology in enhancing your academic work – from word processors and presentation software to online research tools. Essentially, academic literacy provides the foundation, while digital literacy provides the tools and pathways to build upon that foundation. By mastering both, you'll be well-equipped to succeed in your studies and beyond.
Although we will work on your digital literacy throughout the semester it will be to your advantage to familiarise yourself with some of the key digital literacy skills. But first, watch how Helpful Professor Explains! (2024) explain digital literacy in the video below.