At Leaders Institute, we are committed to seeing you thrive in the learning journey and beyond. Study Skills workshops and resources on campus and online introduce you to study, with topics such as:

• Turnitin;
• academic integrity;
• utilising Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI);
• oral presentations;
• writing and note taking;
• critical and creative thinking;
• research methodologies.

TYPES OF ASSESSMENT

Every unit in your course will have unique guidelines. Make sure you read through assessment criteria carefully and ask your lecturer if you’re unsure how to meet them. Below is a summary of common formats used at Leaders Institute.

Essay

Academic essays use evidence to build a case in response to a specific issue. Read the requirements carefully and ensure that you answer the question provided with well-structured, logical transitions between paragraphs. Essays usually have an introduction, body of text, and conclusion.

Case Study

Case studies examine a situation, identify an issue, and find solutions. The audience can be industry leaders or the broader community. The tone is concise, factual, and professional. The format usually includes a table of contents and executive summary. Tables, graphs and diagrams present data to support solution-driven recommendations.

Literature Review

A literature review explores academic publications to identify themes and find a ‘gap’ for possible research. The target audience is usually researchers and industry peers, so the tone should be formal. You can use meaningful headings for each section. Read widely and focus on current research to build your argument and challenge common assumptions.

Annotated Bibliography

The purpose of an annotated bibliography is to identify contemporary literature on a topic, critically evaluate its relevance, and inform others.

Personal Reflection

A personal reflection may sound simple, but your ideas must demonstrate what you have learned about the topic. You can use a more informal, conversational tone in first person. Refer to the relevant material or experience, making links between formal learning and meaning making.

Report

A report can either explain work completed or work yet to be done. It is geared toward external parties, such as a government department or private organisation. It should be factual and supported by evidence. Reports usually include tables, graphs, or other media to present data and supplement the text.

Oral Presentation

While researching your topic, think about the intended audience and pitch at the right level. Start with a hook that grabs attention and explains the focus of your presentation. Summarise methods briefly and then present your research and results in a logical sequence with clear multimedia if relevant. Conclude with a summary of your findings and invite questions.

USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

At Leaders Institute, we embrace GenAI as an opportunity to enhance learning, teaching, research, and scholarship. Curriculum content in all courses incorporate innovative and positive uses of GenAI to enhance employability of graduates.

However, it’s important to ensure that assessments are your own work. This demonstrates you have met learning outcomes assigned. If you are permitted and wish to use GenAI in planning, designing, or writing your assessment, reference this clearly. Ask your lecturer or tutor if you need help understanding the rules and expectations.

When using GenAI:

• read the assessment instructions to see if GenAI is permitted, including its usage as a translation tool;
• follow the Academic Integrity Policy;
• protect the personal information of yourself and others (i.e. addresses, name, emails, ID, or intellectual property);
• fact check GenAI outputs to avoid ‘fabrications’ or ‘hallucinations’;
• never just copy and paste GenAt text, code, or data a claim it as your original work;
• keep records (prompts and outputs) of your GenAI interactions so you can demonstrate how you actively engaged with the tool to deepen your understanding.

For more information, please see TEQSA’s Artificial Intelligence: advice for students.

Our motto of “Be Impactful” is our foundation stone for both staff and students and is used to help create your unique identity. This dictum not only paves the way towards excellence but is a process that we invite everyone to be a part of. At Leaders we strive to be the best at what we do, and you have chosen wisely to come and study your course with us.

Your time at Leaders will be defining as you study and graduate to become Leaders who shall have large impacts in and around their society, community and on a global scale. Our courses are designed not just to give you a theoretical stronghold but have been carefully designed to cater to practical exposure making you an asset for any workforce when you graduate.

We have staff that are highly qualified and shall not only engage your thinking but help you channel the various practices and approaches to enable you to stand out from the crowd. I know it can be hard to find your way being away from the home you have known however, take heart as Leaders will become your home away from home. Your student association (LISA), is waiting to welcome and ensure that you feel right at home as soon as you arrive.