Introduce first-year students to the study of scientific subjects and help them develop an effective study method.

Evaluate and align the specific academic skills of students coming from different educational backgrounds, ensuring that these skills (written and oral communication, information research, teamwork) develop to an adequate level starting from the first months of their university journey.

Encourage reflection on how to study and raise awareness of the most suitable learning style for each student (learning style assessment).

Develop transversal skills (concept synthesis, written and oral communication) that will be useful for effectively summarizing and studying lecture materials in notes and for better preparing for exams. These skills will also be useful for thesis preparation and entering the job market.

Enable students to integrate into a group, learning to study both in groups and independently, while also getting to know their academic tutors, who will serve as references throughout their studies.

None.

Knowledge and understanding. Acquisition of tools for understanding scientific information and how to take notes.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Written and oral communication skills.

Independent judgment. Ability to read and understand scientific information and summarize it in writing or orally. Ability to assess the level of scientific evidence.

Communication skills. Ability to understand and explain a scientific topic, essential for professional work.

Learning ability. How to learn from texts and scientific papers, and how to organize one's study effectively.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Supporting activities will be guaranteed by the presence on-site of an academic tutor (Dr. Vittorio Lembo).

Teaching

The course is designed to provide elements aimed at transmitting knowledge and skills related to writing a short essay on a scientific topic and delivering an individual oral presentation using PowerPoint. This will be followed by a group discussion on topic selection and how to find bibliographic sources to use for writing the text and preparing the oral presentation. The course structure also includes educational content aimed at optimizing study methods.

Lessons are planned on how to find information (sources) for writing the text and the oral presentation, how to write a short text at the university level, and how to deliver a presentation.

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped classroom.

Occasional debate.

Attendance

To be considered active participants, students must have attended at least 80% of the classes.

Teaching

Students can find the lecture slides on the Moodle Blended platform.

Attendance

Students who do not attend classes will face questions related to the topics covered during the course in addition to submitting the written essay and the PowerPoint presentation during the assessment.

Course books

Materials uploaded to the Moodle Blended platform.

Assessment

Evaluation of the written text and the oral presentation based on the criteria outlined in the slides. Questions regarding knowledge of the topics discussed in the course.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.