UCL is developing an innovative new online programme to provide an intellectually enriching introduction to degree-level study for new undergraduates. The programme will help incoming students to familiarise themselves with UCL and its place in the world . It will get them excited about the research possibilities that UCL offers to them, while helping them understand how university life works and how they can engage in it. Importantly, it will encourage the formation of an online community so that students can start to make friends before they join us, and alongside academic content will showcase the resources available to them to support their well being.
The academic element of the programme covers themes related to the 6 UCL Grand Challenges. It will encourage critical thinking by looking at how research topics can be approached from an interdisciplinary perspective, ultimately demonstrating that knowledge is never neutral. Alongside this, it will provide opportunities for the participants to learn some of the academic skills they'll use as part of their degree.
In designing the programme we're putting together some really exciting academic content, but we're struggling to work out how to practically introduce academic skills like literature searching, note taking, constructing an argument, academic writing, and referencing. We'd like to have activities that are fun and engaging. This where you come in: the challenge is to design online activities for learning academic skills. Whether you're good with ideas or you can help build a prototype, we'd love to get your input to make sure that we give new undergraduates the best start possible at UCL.
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About the facilitator
Nadia Marks is a PhD Candidate at the Institute of Archaeology and an Academic Content Developer for the Introductory Programme. Having started at UCL as an undergraduate, she understands how difficult making the transition to university and London can be, and is keen to help make life easier for new students.