Academic Edge
This microdegree takes you through a 9-step inquiry process designed to help you develop the skills, knowledge and resources needed to conduct information-based investigations. As a university student, you will be expected to complete many research tasks across multiple units and this process can be effectively applied in each.
Karen Bonanno and Leonie McIlvenny will be your guides on this information journey. Through each stage of this process, they will provide, not only the theoretical rationale behind each stage, but also the practical skills needed to master it. It is anticipated that, as a result of undertaking the microdegree, you will have completed an investigation and developed an information product.
Mentor
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Circle(s)
Microdegree Outcomes
This microdegree takes you through a 9-step inquiry process designed to help you develop the skills, knowledge and resources needed to conduct information-based investigations. As a university student, you will be expected to complete many research tasks across multiple units and this process can be effectively applied in each.
Karen Bonanno and Leonie McIlvenny will be your guides on this information journey. Through each stage of this process, they will provide not only the theoretical rationale behind each stage but also the practical skills needed to master it. It is anticipated that, as a result of undertaking the microdegree, you will have completed an investigation and developed an information product.
- Understand the importance of inquiry learning as a 21st-century competency;
- Develop a generic skill set that can be applied across multiple disciplines;
- Understand the significance of, and premise underpinning, each stage of the process;
- Develop confidence in finding and using information and data sources to satisfy your research needs;
- Create key questions or hypotheses to dive deeper into a chosen topic;
- Locate and curate relevant resources to address the key questions you have developed around your topic;
- Gather and synthesise information and data around the chosen topic;
- Use a range of higher-order thinking skills to develop an understanding of your chosen topic;
- Design, create and present an information product of your choosing, or based on a current assignment;
- Develop greater confidence and expertise in using a wide range of digital tools;
- Self-reflect on the learning experience; the inquiry process, the knowledge gained, and what you have learnt about yourself.
Your Microdegree Mentor

Leonie McIlvenny is an Australian based educator who teaches from primary to tertiary level. She specialises in inquiry learning, study skills and digital literacy and has developed a number of web resources to support students, teachers and parents. She is a Genius Certified Educator with Genius School.