Guides on Common Topics

Click on a project or topic below to see handouts and links. Use them on your own or make an appointment with a tutor to discuss together.

Tutorials

RISD students can participate in these online tutorials at their own pace. Each provides instruction, guidance, and opportunities for further engagement.

  • A&L's Communication Skills Tutorial is a self-guided series of modules on academic culture, studying, speaking, writing, researching, and reading skills. While created with first-year undergrads in mind, the content can be useful to any student at any time.

    The tutorial complements a RISD education. Working through the modules during the regular semester will support confident and timely completion of coursework.

    Learning objectives:
    - Share views and reflect with peers on cultural and academic topics.
    - Improve skills and confidence in formal and informal academic communication.
    - Practice communicating in various formats, such as emailing, chatting/posting in Canvas, speaking and presenting about academic assignments in Zoom, and collaborative editing and feedback.
    - Learn to use campus resources for timely support in academic assignments.
    - Increase active vocabulary and fluency in describing visual projects and academic interests.

    Enroll and get started here

  • A&L's Research Practices Canvas tutorial is designed for anyone approaching a research project, from class assignments to the Graduate thesis, especially those new to academic writing that integrates references to source material. It aims to help you understand the conventions of research writing and introduce practices that help you achieve them through a self-guided series of modules on:

    • Finding, documenting, and citing sources

    • Active reading and reflective engagement with sources

    • Integrating research into your writing

    Each module provides instruction and guidance as well as activities and opportunities for engagement with other students.

    RISD students can participate in the whole tutorial (approximately 7 hours of work in total) or select modules. None of the tasks are graded, but A&L staff will check in and provide feedback.

    Reach out to the creator of this workshop, Meredith Barrett (mbarret01@risd.edu), with any questions.

    Enroll and get started here

  • The videos in this collection share strategies and tools for making your research process more efficient and effective. 

Multilingual Learners Hub

Visit the hub to find resources for adapting to the RISD curriculum and improving your English language skills. They include handouts to read, links to explore, and scheduling options for individual meetings.

 

Can’t find what you’re looking for? See a list of all A&L Handouts.

Or try a keyword search:

 

Have questions or requests about accessibility, resources, etc.? Please reach out.