Introducing Triple A: Harnessing academic skills and knowledge

In global education, various curricula are used in schools, each with unique attributes. Despite some key similarities, it is important to note that certain curricula may not cover the essential skills needed for a comprehensive educational journey at Middlesex University Dubai. Having such a skill gap may pose challenges while pursuing your degree, but the MDX library is ready to assist you and help improve your academic skills.

The MDX Library offers several sessions, also called academic support sessions, that involve equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to face and overcome obstacles while undertaking their programmes. Various sessions are included to provide students with the necessary skills. Initially, it is essential to assess students’ current level of academic skills as a starting point to build upon. The MDX library has introduced an immersive asset expressed as Triple-A, which allows you to do so.

Triple A - Academic Aptitude Assessment: an evaluation of academic skills related to:

• Discovering Information
• Understanding Information
• Critical Thinking
• Referencing
• Academic Writing
• Presentation Skills

These skills are essential for success in your academic career and future opportunities. The Triple A follows the technique of self-awareness and cognitive awareness, allowing students to assess themselves at a level they believe they are in and have an assessment to understand their actual status. As students may misjudge or overestimate their academic skills, this assessment provides the opportunity for students to confront themselves and bring about an enhancement in their skills.

Triple A is an assessment inclusive of 60 questions, with five questions for self-assessment and five in each academic skill area. These questions assess the student's skills and identify the areas in which they may have overestimated their skills.

Students are offered various learning resources and support to achieve their desired skill levels. These educational materials and additional assistance foster skill development and enhance students' confidence. Notably, these resources contribute to their competencies, extending beyond the Middlesex University Dubai setting and proving invaluable throughout their professional careers.

Further to Triple-A, the Middlesex University Dubai Library additionally offers skill-focused workshops where specific essential skills are addressed, and techniques to improve such skills are advised. The skill clusters assisted include:

• Utilising Mendeley and RefWorks: Directing the use of Mendeley and RefWorks can be beneficial compared to classic approaches for handling information sources and references. Using these resources would provide a more optimal approach to managing references.
• Guidance in ways to do research: As efficient research is desirable, guidance is provided for ways in which it can be achieved, such as how internet searches can be used to acquire the sought information, the use of databases for obtaining research information provided by the MDX library, which usually is inaccessible unless certain conditions are met, and for creating and maintaining an effective research strategy.
• FactCheck - Recognising fake news: While researching, it's likely to come across false information. It is crucial to be capable of identifying and avoiding such information. The MDX library offers sessions instructing the concerns towards this issue, advising the use of accurate academic sources and gaining evidence to prove the existence of the obtained information.