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Academic writing is a key capability you will need to develop in your tertiary studies. There are many new skills you will need to master, such as:

• Understanding the assignment question

• Developing your thesis (key research questions)

• Finding academic sources of information

• Learning how to structure your writing from the assignment question

• Learning how to write actively and concisely

• Using good grammar, punctuation, sentence, and paragraph structures

• Paraphrasing the information into your own words

• Correctly citing and referencing that information

Here are some useful web resources that you can use: 

Websites

• Toi Ohomai Library Guides to researching and referencing

• Massey University Academic Writing Resource.

• Scribbr Guide to Paraphrasing

• Victoria University Guide for Second Language English Speakers

• Grammarly add-in for MS Word

• Checking grammar and spelling in Google Docs

• Evaluating Websites using BADURL - Otago University

• OWLL referencing tool

• QuickCite referencing tool

Videos

• Toi Ohomai Library Help Videos

• Integrating research into your writing

Quick Guides

• Academic Research and Writing

There are some basic study skills that every student should master. They include:

• Time Management

• Effective Notetaking

• Effective Reading

• Using the Internet

• IT Skills

Resources

• 5 Effective Notetaking Methods.

• Using One Note to take notes.

• Pathways Awarua - Improve your reading skills.

• GCF Grammar Basics

• How to Study Effectively.

Videos

• Active Reading

• Active reading - Retention

• Time Management - Toi Ohomai

• Time Management - Stop Wasting Timei

• Notetaking - Taking notes in class

• Notetaking - Toi Ohomai

Quick Guides

• Preparing for Study

Being able to understand different assignment and assessment requirements is a key skill to achieving success in your studies. There are many types of assignments including:

• Essays

• Reports

• Spreadsheets

• Websites

• Presentations

• Literature reviews

• Annotated Bibliography

• Reflective Writing

• e-Portfolios

• Written Assignments

• Group assignments

• Posters

Add to this range the variety of media platforms employed (like written, Google, or Microsoft applications), and you have a lot to understand.

This section will discuss the major requirements of all of these assessment types and provide some useful tips to their successful completion.

Stages of Completing an Assignment

Read the assignment question well and break it down into specific tasks or requirements.

Develop a plan for the assignment completion including milestones and dates

Make a structure from the breakdown of the thesis question and assignment requirements from Rubrik

Research your structure topics. Save excerpts of interest to a file or folder, noting sources.

Write at least one draft using structure, with references. Grammar and spell check. 

Review and Edit: Ask Learning Facilitator or Cogniti.ai to review if needed.

Proof read: double check requirements have been met and submit.

Web Sites

• Deconstructing Assignment Questions Auckland University

• Report Writing - Massey University

• Report Writing - Auckland University

• Essay Writing - Auckland University

• Reflective Writing - Auckland University

• Submitting Google Classroom Assignments

• Submitting Moodle Assignments

• Using the Turnitin tool

Videos

• Toi Ohomai - Report Writing

• Essay Writing - Toi Ohomai

• Toi Ohomai - Presenting

• Reflective Writing - University of South Australia

• e-Portfolio using Google Sites

• Group work in Google 

• Group work in Office 365

Quick Guides

• Assignments (All types)

Preparing for Exams and Tests

Preparing for and sitting exams can be a very stressful experience. Being well prepared for exams can improve your overall results dramatically. Exam proficiency is not just about how much you have learnt, but also about the discipline of being organised, using time management, having an effective strategy and prioritising your effort to those areas which will gain you the most marks in the allowable time. Here are some resources which may assist you to get the grade that you deserve.

Here are some useful tips:

• Have well-prepared notes. Highlight the important facts.  

• Use memory techniques and tools like study cards or Quizlet.

• Study in pairs or small groups.

• Make a study plan and keep to it.

Web Sites

• How to Study Effectively

Videos

• How to use Quizlet for study

Quick Guides

• Preparing for exams

Getting Started

1. Logging in with single-sign-in (SSI). On full enrolment, you will receive an email providing login instructions, including your username and a temporary password. The username is: {StudentID#}@student.toiohomai.ac.nz. You will be required to create a new password on your first login. This username and password will be required to login to the following:

   • Toi Ohomai computers

   • Toi Ohomai wifi

   • Your Toi Ohomai accounts for campus Internet browser, Microsoft 365, Google, and Moodle.

2. Connect your device to Toi Ohomai wi-fi:

   • Open Google Chrome browser (in preference)

   • Select wi-fi "Toi Ohomai Wi-Fi" if necessary

   • Login to wi-fi when prompted with your Toi Ohomai email and password.

3. Connect your device to Toi Ohomai at home:

   • Google search Toi Ohomai

   • Select Current students of Toi Ohomai from the website.

   • Login using Toi Ohomai email (username) and password

   • Select the Hub from the Quicklinks

4. Toi Ohomai Apps (Available from your app store)

   • Toi Ohomai Hub - Access to Library, Moodle, Microsoft 365, Google, Support Services, and much more (Login required).

   • Te Taupānga - Bicultural Learning App, Karakia, Waiata, Pēpeha...

Problems logging in?

If you are having difficulties logging in, or you have forgotten your password ( you may be locked out after 3 incorrect tries) you need to contact the helpline 0800 864646 during campus hours (8:00 - 4:30). They will reset your password. If you are on campus, your kaiako, library staff, or Learning Facilitators will be able to help you. For other IT-related FAQs visit our website.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace is a suite of Google software applications for your use in education. Some Toi Ohomai courses are built around the Classroom application, which is fully compatible with the full suite of Google educational software, including Docs, Slides, Meet, Sheets, Slides, Sites, YouTube, Drive and others. The following resources are useful for training new users about how to get the most out of these applications. 

• Google Workspace Training from Google

• Google Workspace Learning Centre

• LinkedIn Learning Google Training (Toi login required)

• GCF Free Training Resources

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is a suite of office applications, used in education and business environments. It includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams, Outlook, One Note, One Drive, and many others. The following resources will provide you with all you need to get the most out of this software and provide you with a sound ICT skillset, that will serve you well into the future.

• Microsoft 365 Help & Training (Full training, Help, Videos, Quick Starts, Guides)

• LinkedIn Learning Microsoft 365 Training (login required)

• GCF Free Training Resources

Moodle

Moodle is a Learning Management System used in many of our courses at Toi Ohomai. It provides educational resources, forums, quizzes, and grading facilities. It is the backbone of our educational system. Here is a practice Moodle course for beginners.

Moodle Get Started course - How to use Moodle, Turnitin, Quizzes ... (Login required)

Moodle App (free download from your app store) 

Moodle App is a convenient app designed for mobile devices, to enable you to access your Moodle courses wherever you might be. Just download the free app and log in to your Toi account.

Turnitin

This is a plagiarism checker application that enables teachers to compare your work with millions of other academic works, to determine its authenticity. You can make a practice submission to Moodle Get Started (self-enrolled course) to familiarise yourself with the process,  that is:

1. The assignment draft is submitted to a Turnitin submission box in Moodle.

2. A similarity report will be returned to the Moodle submission box.

3. You can make changes to your draft if needed  (see Guide to understanding the Turnitin Report)

4.   Final submission to the Turnitin box for grading.

• Note - Some teachers may allow more than one practice submission to Turnitin.

There are very few professions that do not require some proficiency in mathematics. In this section, we have gathered together some of the best online math resources available, from beginner through to University level. These are designed to support classroom learning and to bridge gaps in students' knowledge when returning to tertiary studies. 

Subject areas include:

• Arithmetic

• Integers

• Decimals

• Fractions

• Algebra

• Statistics

• Calculus

• Geometry

• Trigonometry

• Measurement

• Estimation Powers

• Logarithms

Web Sites

• Pathways Awarua - Reading and Math Skills

• Quizlet - Practise your skills 

• GCF Math Basics

• Auckland University - Math Basics

• Khan Academy - Online Training

• LinkedIn Learning - Online Training

• GeoGebra Free Maths App

• Math Help.com

• That Quiz - Math Practise

• Corbett Maths - Videos, worksheets 

• Desmos Graphical Maths

See a Faculty Librarian for research and referencing assistance. 

Faculty Librarians are specialists in researching and APA 7 referencing. For information about how you can contact a Faculty Librarian visit this weblink. Appointments can also be made through the Help Desk.

Searching the Library Database

The Toi Ohomai Library searching tool is called Koha and can be accessed from many of the Institute's portals.

Here is a direct link.  https://toiohomai.mykoha.co.nz/ 

There is also a set of help guides for using Koha which may be useful.

https://toiohomai.libguides.com/c.php?g=849394 

The library has several electronic resources that can be accessed via the Koha search engine. These can also be accessed directly through the library  Databases.

Evaluating Resources

Being able to evaluate resources is an important skill as a researcher. The value of your research is highly dependent on the quality of the resources you can discover. Academic research usually requires resources that have been peer-reviewed. Sources that are not peer-reviewed can also be valuable but must be used with discretion, understanding how to ascertain their credibility and therefore their value as a resource.

Incorporating Academic Sources into Your Writing

Once you have found the information you need for your writing, you need to recognise the authors in your work. This is attribution, more commonly called referencing, and formal processes have been established to do this correctly. At Toi Ohomai we use APA 7th Edition to do this. Whether the work is incorporated as a direct quote, paraphrased or summarised, or even your own work, by following the correct process, you will avoid plagiarism and enable readers of your work to locate the sources of your information. Referencing is, in effect, what differentiates academic writing from other writing. The Toi Ohomai resources listed above will provide all the information you need to reference your work correctly using APA 7. It is a complex process and it is worthwhile to spend some time to become familiar with it, particularly if you intend to seek higher qualifications. The following resources will also be useful.

Web Sites

• OWLL Referencing Tool (Massey University)

• QuickCite (Auckland University)

Videos

• Using academic sources in your writing

• See the library Help videos in the Library YouTube channel 

• Using EndNote (Basic) Referencing tool 

• Using OneNote for Research

Quick Guides

• Academic Research and Writing

• Access Library Quick Guides

• Evaluating Resources (CRAAP Test)

• How to evaluate websites (Otago University)

Download a copy of the Toi Ohomai Karakia & Waiata booklet.

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