Every research student develops a range of skills to help them through their candidature and in their career and activities after graduation. Many of those academic, professional, research and personal skills are developed through attendance at courses selected from the large range of development opportunities offered centrally and within local areas. This course aims to develop skills analysis, enabling students to make informed and strategic choices about which skills to develop, and how best to go about improving those skills. Participants construct their own development plan for the semester. After implementing that plan, they reflect on their choices and on the benefits gained.

A suggested list of courses that can be taken within the framework of RSDC8201 include:

Alliance Introduction; Building Confidence; Conference presentations; Data Management; Data Management; Dreamweaver (CS4) Advanced Templates; EndNote (X3); Excel (2007) ; Advanced Charts; Excel (2007) Advanced Database Techniques; Excel (2007) Advanced Pivot Tables; File Management; Journal article publication; Practical strategies for editing and proofreading; How to find out about ARC postdocs and other research funding opportunities; Intellectual Property and Commercialisation at the ANU; Internet and Research; Introductory data analysis; Issues in Literature Review Writing; Journal article publication; Managing the Thesis Production Process; Media skills for researchers; Navigating the ANU Library Websites; Negotiating effectively with supervisors; Networking at Conferences; Photoshop (CS4); Introduction; Planning and Time Management; PowerPoint (2007) Intermediate; Preparing for an academic career; Regaining Motivation; Resilience of Women Research Students; SPSS (v18 PASW) Advanced Significance Testing; SPSS (v18 PASW) Introduction; Search Strategies and Subject Databases; Speaking with confidence (for PhDs and MPhils only); Strategic planning for completion and beyond; Strategies for future publishing success: How to publish your thesis/research to maximise exposure; TeX Advanced; TeX Introduction; Thesis Writing 1: Robust practices; Thesis Writing 2: The authoritative voice; Time Management during the PhD; Word (2007) for Academic Writing: Formatting your Document; Word (2007) for Academic Writing: Maintaining Consistency; Word (2007) for Academic Writing: Putting it all Together; Writing Partners Program; Writing with Academic Integrity: The appropriate acknowledgement of sources.

After completion of this course, participants will:

1. Understand how to determine their own skill development level
2. Understand their current skill development level
3. Be able to assess their skill development needs
4. Be able to plan how to fulfil their development needs
5. Have implemented their development plan for this semester
6. Have become reflective skill development practitioners

This course will be graded on a pass-fail basis.

To pass, students must attend all three workshops and actively participate in at least 10 of the online activities during semester, and submit their development plan and reflective writing.

The reflective writing will consist of:

• 10 online posts of 150 to 250 words linking their skill development practice to a reading or responding to another participant's post.

AND

• A 1000 to 1500 word essay summarising the student's development throughout the program, in terms of their own development in the context of their development plan, and important changes in their thinking about the role of skill development. This essay may draw on earlier postings, but needs to contain some new insights or observations.

Participation:
    30% (assessed by the course convenor)
Written work:
    20% development plan (self and peer assessed)
    20% weekly posting (self and peer assessed)
    30% final essay (assessed by the course convenor)

Approximately 6 hours in class, plus approximately an hour each week of semester online. It is anticipated students will spend approximately 10 hours completing the assessment requirements of the course. In addition, participants will spend upwards of 20 hours attending courses they nominate as part of their development plan. Overall, approximately 40 hours.

Admission into an ANU higher degree research program.

None.

Readings are supplied online.