Understanding

About

Understanding is the literacy which enables you to find meaning and apply context. It encompasses academic reading from a broad range of media, both textual and visual, and intersects closely with critical literacy.

See the sections below for some online tutorials and videos covering a range of understanding skills.

Online tutorials / PDFs

Discovering and using eBooks effectively

Learn how to discover and use eBooks effectively on some of the key eBook platforms: ProQuest Ebook Central, and VLebooks.

Discovering and using eBooks effectively (online tutorial)

Active reading for understanding 

Learn how to read an academic text effectively. 

Active reading for understanding (online tutorial)

How to read a journal article

Learn what scholarly journals are, what type of information they publish, and how to read them effectively.

How to read a journal article (online tutorial)

Using lecture recordings: A guide for students

Learn how to make the most effective use of lecture recordings.

Using lecture recordings (PDF, 1.2MB)

Understanding and questioning images using the five-step process [online tutorial]

Learn how to use the five-step process to analyse and question images, and understand what an image can tell you, both explicitly and implicitly.  

Understanding and questioning images (online tutorial)

View tutorial as a PDF (711KB)

Discovering and understanding legal materials

A guide to finding and understanding legal materials.

Discovering and understanding legal materials (online tutorial)

View tutorial as a PDF (353KB)

Discovering and understanding government information

Learn about different types of UK government information and how to discover and access them.

Discovering and understanding government information (online tutorial)

View tutorial as a PDF (266KB)

Videos

MindView quick start tutorial: How to create a mind map

This YouTube video is a quick start guide to how to create a mind map using the MindView software.

MindView is mind-mapping software that can help you develop and organise ideas visually and then export them into a Microsoft Office document, eg Word. 

MindVIew is available on all PCs (running the IT Services Managed Desktop) within the Information Commons and the Library. The video is made by MatchWare, the creators of MindView. 

Watch the video above, or see it on Youtube: MindView quick start tutorial: How to create a mind map

Using Sensus Access

Sensus Access software is available for anyone with a print based disability, including students with dyslexia or a visual impairment. Watch this screencast to learn how to convert PDF, JPEG, Powerpoint or Word files into text or audio.

Watch the video above, or see it in Kaltura: Using Sensus Access