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RDEV10020

Academic Year 2026/2027

Information Skills (RDEV10020)

Subject:
Rural Development
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Karen Keaveney
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to some of the key skills required in your chosen Degree Programme. The focus of the module will be on transitioning into University life and the expectations that your lecturers and tutors have for you. We will be looking at how critical thinking and working independently is such a strong feature of your new academic life.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

The Intended Learning Outcomes for the Module are:

• To understand the requirements and expectations for Third Level assessment.
• To introduce critical thinking into assignments and exams.
• To establish good practices in communication, both verbal and written.

Indicative Module Content:

(i) Addressing your expectations of University Life; and University's expectations of you.
(ii) Getting organised.
(iii) Using technology.
(iv) Writing.
(v) Synthesising, Analysing, Presenting.
(vi) Building a portfolio of work.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Not addressed

Critical Thinking

The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Novice

Systems Thinking

The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Not addressed

Strategic

The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Self-awareness

The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Novice

Normative

The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Novice

Anticipatory

The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Not addressed

Digital Literacy and Judgement

The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Novice

AI Literacy & Agency

The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Novice

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

48

Autonomous Student Learning

16

Lectures

10

Computer Aided Lab

24

Online Learning

2

Total

100


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered in three different ways - through large class online lectures, small group in-person support tutorials, and self directed tasks. Students are expected to carry out lecture tasks in the virtual learning environment (VLE) and complete assignments in the supported tutorials.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

None

Learning Exclusions:

None

Learning Recommendations:

None


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Info Skills & Computer Apps (AERD10020)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Literature review plan and essay. Week 12 Graded No
34
No
Portfolio: Portfolio to present a record of tasks carried out during CALs. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
33
No
Reflective Assignment: Using PeerScholar, students develop a written summary of a peer-reviewed journal article. Week 3, Week 4, Week 5 Graded No
33
No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will be given feedback as they build up their portfolios over the trimester. Initially feedback will be given a group basis, in both lectures and small group computer labs. This will be followed by peer review and self-assessment activities; and finally with individual grades.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 2 Week(s) - 2 Mon 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 3 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 4 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 5 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Mon 17:00 - 18:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 6 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Mon 17:00 - 18:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 7 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Mon 17:00 - 18:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 8 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Mon 17:00 - 18:50