Kneale, P: Study Skills for Geography, Earth and Environment

Pauline Kneale, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK

There are moments in everyone's degree when you are expected to do something unfamiliar and daunting - present a seminar, go on a fieldtrip, create a wiki page, lead a lab team - and how to do it or what to expect is unclear. Studying at university requires a different approach from studying at school and this book explains this transition. Packed with practical hints, study tips, short cuts, real-life examples and careers advice, this book will prove invaluable throughout your geography, earth science or environmental science degree.Designed for all geography, earth science and environmental science students, this book provides guidance on:¿ time management and effective research¿ constructing essays and creating arguments¿ giving presentations confidently ¿ undertaking fieldwork and laboratory work ¿ avoiding plagiarism and citing references correctly ¿ using e-technologies such as blogs and your university's VLE ¿ online assessment and peer feedback.This guide also explains the role of the academic and how it differs from that of a school teacher, and prepares you for the world of work by showing how the skills you learn at university today can be used in your career choice of tomorrow.Thoroughly updated to take into account recent pedagogical practices such as computer-assisted learning and computer assessment, blending learning and the focus on preparing students for the work environment, this third edition also now has more for physical geographers and earth and environmental scientists with the inclusion of a new chapter on laboratory work and discussion of the pros and cons of software such as GIS.

Preface / Acknowledgements / Study skills - why bother? / Reflection skills, reviewing and evaluating, addin / Threshold concepts ¿ difficult things / Maximizing free time / Researching in libraries and online / Effective reading / Making effective notes / Plagiarism and ethical behaviour / Creativity - Innovation / Chapter 10: Thinking / Constructing an argument / Listening / Oral presentations / Discussion / Researching and writing in teams: it¿s fun and eff / Acknowledging references and other sources / Effective essay skills / Writing practical reports / Reviewing a book / Abstracts and executive summaries / Dissertations / Revision skills / Examinations / Field-classes and fieldwork / Presenting field sketches, sketch maps and data / Posters and stands / Careers for geographers / ¿Of shoes, and ships, and sealing wax ...¿ GEES Es / Try This, crossword and quiz answers / Index