really enjoyed this, took me back to my PhD days :-) great to hear about how we can use failure as a tool for learning & reflection, and this was an excellent reminder for me of how games have so many tools that we can use to enhance engagement

What do we mean by ‘theory’? Why is it useful to engage with theory in academic work? How can we use theory to help us build our ideas? 🤔

In this episode, Amy Blaney chats with Aimee Merrydew (host) about all things theory and why it’s often misunderstood as an angry bull… 

Spoiler alert: it’s not an angry bull and this episode provides pathways to help us access and navigate theory without encountering any angry bulls along the way (we hope) 🙌

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

1. What we mean by 'theory' and why it matters for learning and academic development.

2. Common issues students encounter when reading theoretical texts and engaging with them in their work.

3. Practical tips for students on engaging with theory and how to embed the techniques into teaching and the curriculum as educators.

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studymatters/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 6: Engaging with Theory in your Studies

What are academic conferences and why is it worth presenting at them as an undergraduate student? How can students prepare to present their research? And what can educators do to help students develop their presentation skills so they not only communicate their research effectively but also have fun in the process? 🤔

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with Dr Chris Little to share the ins and outs of academic conferences.

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

💡 What we mean by ‘academic conferences’ and why they matter for undergraduate students’ academic and professional development.

🚧 Common issues and barriers students encounter when presenting their research at conferences.

✨ Practical tips for students on managing presentation nerves and preparing to present their research confidently... Enter trusty clicky pens (among other tried-and-tested techniques) 🖋️

🔃 Examples of how educators can embed abstract writing and presentation opportunities into the curriculum through assessment design, helping students to practise their public speaking skills and create outward-facing research outputs they can re-use in different contexts (including conferences and publications).

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/…ills/studyguides/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 7: Presenting at Academic Conferences

What do we mean by 'gamifying' libraries and why are games useful learning tools for students? How can students build their information, academic, and professional skills through game-based learning activities such as library escape rooms? And what can educators do to inject fun into information literacy training within their curricula (spoiler alert: we recommend escape rooms)? 🤔

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with librarian and game master Scott Chesworth to share the ins and outs of library escape rooms.

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

💡 What we mean by ‘gamification’ in libraries and why games matter for students’ academic development.

🚧 Common issues students encounter when using libraries and searching for sources for their studies.

✨ Practical tips for students on using game-based learning to build their information and wider academic literacies.

🔃 Examples of how educators can embed games into the curriculum through escape rooms, helping students to use libraries effectively for their studies without sacrificing fun.

1. Digital Library Escape Room Guide ("The Guide"): https://cutt.ly/escapeguide

2. Bitesized digital Library Escape Room ("Carrot or Stick?"): https://cutt.ly/carrotorstick

3. Escape Room article ("Escape [to] the Library: Reframing the Library Induction"): https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/6250/

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studymatters/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Episode 8: Building Information Literacies through Library Escape Rooms

What is experiential learning and why is it beneficial for academic studies AND employability? How can you get involved in experiential learning during your time at university? And what can educators do to help students make the most of these opportunities to enhance their learning outcomes and boost their employability? 🤔

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with Alice Whitehouse to share the ins and outs of experiential learning.

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

💡 What we mean by ‘experiential learning’ and why it matters for students’ academic and professional development.

🚧 Common issues and barriers students encounter when pursuing and engaging in experiential learning opportunities.

✨ Practical tips for students on finding placements or internships and how to make the most of these opportunities to apply their university learning to the world of work... The trick? Be a sponge! 

🔃 Examples of how educators can support students to engage in experiential learning.

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studymatters/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 9: Engaging in Experiential Learning

Why is academic writing important? ✍️

What common issues do people tend to experience when writing their university assignments? 🤔

How can you learn to write more confidently and effectively? 🤩

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with transformational writing coach Dr Malini Devadas to share the ins and outs of academic writing.

By the end of this episode, you should be able to:

💡 Identify why academic writing matters for your studies and success at university.

🚧 Understand some of the common struggles people encounter when it comes to academic writing.

✨ Apply practical strategies to help you become a confident and effective communicator through your writing.

Discover more about our guest, Dr Malini Devadas, and how she can help you to become a productive writer here: https://mdwritingediting.com.au/

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/…ills/studyguides/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 10: Improving your Academic Writing Skills

Why should you consider making your own podcasts to support your learning and communicate your knowledge in your assessments? 🎙️

What common issues do people tend to experience when producing podcasts? 🤔

How can you learn to present your knowledge in creative ways through podcast formats? 🤩

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with Rebekka Jolley to share the ins and outs of student generated podcasts.

By the end of this episode, you should be able to:

💡 Identify why podcasts matter for your academic, personal, and professional development.

🚧 Understand some of the common struggles people encounter when it comes to podcast assessments and podcast production more generally.

✨ Apply practical strategies to help you communicate your knowledge to general audiences through podcasting, supporting your success at and beyond university.

Discover more about our guest, Rebekka Jolley, and how podcasts can support your learning here: https://openpress.sussex.ac.uk/ideasforactivelearning/chapter/active-learning-student-generated-podcasts/ 

The transcript and resources for our episodes can be accessed via our website: www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/…ills/studyguides/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? 
We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @KeeleLibrary to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 11: Producing Podcasts for Learning and Assessments

Digital texts are part of our daily lives, whether that's reading a PDF, webpage, e-book, and social media or using library catalogues, databases, and search engines to find texts for our assessments.

In today's world, the ability to find, read, and use digital texts effectively is essential for academic and professional success, so how can you develop your digital reading skills to make the most of digital texts in your studies and work beyond university?

In this episode, Professor Jamie Wood joins Aimee Merrydew to share top tips on how to find and read digital texts effectively.

By the end of the episode, you should be able to:

1. Describe why digital texts matter for your learning and success at university ⭐

2. Explain the similarities and differences between reading on screen and on paper 🧑‍💻 📖

3. Identify the common issues people experience when reading digital texts 🤔

4. Apply digital reading strategies to find, read, and evaluate digital texts effectively 🤩

Find out more about Jamie and the Active Online Reading project: https://makingdigitalhistory.co.uk/read/active-online-reading/ 

While you're at it, why not download some infographics for more top tips on digital reading? Download your infographics here: https://makingdigitalhistory.co.uk/files/2022/08/QAA_posters_print_v4.pdf

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our Study Matters Podcast webpage: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studymatters/

Follow us on Twitter @KeeleLibrary to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 12: Reading Digital Texts for University Study

Feedback is an important part of the assignment process that helps you to understand your strengths and areas for development for future work.

What's more, the ability to use feedback as an opportunity for growth is highly prized by employers and will set you apart as someone who is committed to continuous learning.

Yet, many people often skip their feedback and fixate on the grade.

In this episode, Annabel Roberts joins Aimee Merrydew to discuss the benefits of feedback and how you can use your feedback strategically to build your skills for success.

By the end of the episode, you should be able to:

1. Describe why feedback matters for your success at and beyond university ⭐

2. Identify the common issues people encounter when it comes to feedback 🤔

4. Apply strategies to understand, learn from, and use feedback effectively 🤩

Don't forget to head to our show notes to download an action plan that will help you to log your assignment feedback and identify areas for growth.

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our Study Matters Podcast webpage: www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/…lls/studymatters/

Follow us on Twitter @KeeleLibrary to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 13: Using Assignment Feedback to Maximise your Potential and Success

Are you a student and want to learn how to improve your academic skills, learn more effectively, and succeed in your studies? 

Are you an educator and looking for academic skills resources to share with students to help them reach their full potential? 

We've got you covered 🙌 

Study Matters is a practical podcast about academic skills and why they matter for student success in higher education.

Each episode, Aimee Merrydew interviews an educator about an area of academic practice in which students typically struggle, from reading to writing and all things in-between. 

🪄 Whatever the topic, our goal is to address common academic challenges by sharing strategies that help you to develop your academic skills, build confidence, and find joy in your learning at university.

Study Matters is brought to you by Aimee Merrydew in the Campus Library at Keele University.

Got any questions or ideas for future episodes? 

Get in touch using the short form below 👇

https://forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Episode 8: Building Information Literacies through Library Escape Rooms

Study Matters Podcast

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Peter Lonsdale

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