vu assignment format

• Library Guides

Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery

• Getting started on your assignment

Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery: Getting started on your assignment

• Reading a Scholarly Article
• Books & eBooks
• Databases & journals
• Referencing

On this page

• Steps to a successful assignment 
• Getting ready for your nursing degree
• Identifying keywords
• Nursing writing online

Steps to a successful assignment

1.    Collect all your information about the assignment

• the handout on the assignment (due date, word limit, formatting, presentation, marking guide)
• the type of sources required for your Reference List e.g. books, journal articles
• notes from classes on how to complete the essay 

2.    Analyse and prepare

• read your notes and class readings for direction
• do a mind map on the topic- use questions to expand the ideas and knowledge you already have
• do some preliminary research to expand your ideas
• from your mind map write some points grouped under general headings
• where there are gaps in information (or more detail or examples needed) write down some questions that you can research
• identify keywords & search the Library for additional sources e.g. books, journal articles (see the box below for an example of how to break down a topic into Keywords, see the videos in this guide on searching for journal articles)
• write a plan for your essay, 
• what information do you already have? what further information do you need?

3.    Read for Information

• read Required Reading and make notes
• read the additional articles etc. for information not in the Required Reading
• prepare each Reference as you read it, ensure it is written in the APA referencing style. See the  APA referencing guide  for further assistance

4.    Start writing

• collect notes from your reading and start to build your essay
• write the correct References for each of your readings for your Reference

Identifying keywords for searching

Watch this video to learn how to identify keywords when searching for information on a topic

Keyword search strategies from Victoria University Library on Vimeo .

Example essay topic

Always check your  VU Collaborate unit space for information about assessment  requirements.

Once you have analysed your Essay topic and done some preliminary reading you are ready to break down the topic into areas for research. The next step is to identify keywords that you can use to search for academic sources of information  on your topic.

Select keywords from both the topic and your readings. Keywords can be single words or phrases. You will need to use different combinations  of keywords in a number of different searches  to ensure you cover all aspects of a topic.

Example Essay Topic

Caring is fundamental in nursing, and develops with therapeutic use of self, a process between the nurse and patient.  Outline characteristics of therapeutic nursing, and describe how these skills can be implemented to increase the therapeutic value of nursing care. 

Suggested keywords for searching Library Search and Library databases to find information on the above topic.

Example search 1:

("therapeutic relationship" OR "therapeutic nursing") AND "nurse-patient relation*"

Example search 2:

(caring OR therapeutic*) AND nurse AND patient

A list of relevant nursing databases can be found on the "Databases & journals" tab of this guide.

Getting Ready for your Nursing Degree

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• Last Updated: Apr 22, 2024 11:29 AM
• URL: https://libraryguides.vu.edu.au/nursing/midwifery

Virtual University Assignments Process (2023)

The assignments and quizzes play a significant role at the university level. In this way, Virtual University has given a lot of importance to assignments and quizzes. Students who have completed all their assignments and quizzes, submitted them on time, and passed them with good marks, are awarded marks in the final exam based on a percentage.

In this post, we will discuss the complete VU assignments process at the virtual university, including how to complete assignments and submit them. Quizzes will be covered in another post. So, let’s get started.

Checking for Assignment Announcement in a Subject

First of all, how will we know if an assignment has been posted for any subject? Virtual University sends email notifications for any new announcements that are made. Additionally, when we login to the VULMS portal, a red notification appears on “Assignment” below each subject for which an assignment has been posted, indicating to us that an assignment is available.

How to Do Assignments at VU ?

Manage your study time well by using a planner or diary to pace your activities appropriately. Start your course assignments early. Do not wait until the last moment. You will need time to gather relevant information, discuss and interact with your course mates and look for additional resources to complete the assignments.

Read through the assignment carefully and find out exactly what is required. Underline key words such as discuss, compare, consider, how would… Those words will tell you what to do for your assignment.

In particular, pay special attention to any format requirements mentioned in the assignment. Many times, the solution is required as a spreadsheet or a word-processed document and tutors may refuse to award marks if the formatting requirements are not followed.

The first thing before doing the assignment is to understand the assignment completely. If anything in the assignment is unclear, you may ask your peers and tutors.

Brainstorm and jot down your original ideas on paper or in your computer.

Look back at the question again to check that you are answering it correctly.

Be to the point. For example, in a descriptive question, there is no need for long introductions or a verbose answer. Don’t just write about the subject, relate your answers to the given points in the assignments and give your own insight/thoughts on it. Make simple sentences, this will reduce language and grammar mistakes.

Make sure that you address all requirements of the assignment. Overlooking small points can lead to loss of marks. Remember, while answering any assignment, you have to show your own understanding about the subject matter.

Think and answer logically. Organize your ideas. Your assignments should be clear, well sequenced and very well constructed.

To prepare your assignment you are encouraged to consult books, journals and the Internet but remember to provide proper references and citations so that you are not penalized.

It influences the grader how well things are organized at first view. Thus make paragraphs and use headings. This will also help you to check that you have answered all the questions.

Do not copy word for word from any source. You should use your own words as far as possible.

If you use an idea from a book or from the internet, written in your own words you should provide the name of the author and the year. At the end of your assignment you must give full details.

If you use the words out of a book, you need to give the author, year and page. The citation and referencing should be done properly so that you are not penalized.

Working with others and sharing ideas is always a valuable activity and is recommended for assignments. However, all material you submit MUST be your own unique and original work.

Copying from others or allowing them to copy from you are both classified as cheating and will be awarded zero marks. The University may award further penalties in certain cases.

Deadlines for submission must be strictly adhered to. Late assignments are not accepted since the University already makes an allowance for infrastructure problems such as power loss etc.

Using MS Word For Completing VU Assignments

Microsoft Word is an essential tool for preparing and submitting assignments for Virtual University courses. Some key features of MS Word that can prove useful are:

• Templates – MS Word offers templates that enable quick and easy formatting of assignments according to the required guidelines. Students can use templates like “Report Writing” or “APA” to start their assignments in the right format instead of applying the settings manually. Some templates apply standardized formatting, while others have sample content to guide content creation.
• Style Presets – Virtual University often has specifications for styling elements like headings, subheadings, captions, and body text. By creating and applying custom styles, students can ensure conformance to the format while writing. This also brings consistency in formatting across the assignment paper.
• Protection – Students can use the Protect feature in the Review tab to lock down finalized assignments and avoid inadvertent changes before submission. This preserves the formatting too.

Using User Inline For Completing Assignments

Some assignments can only be completed through User Inline. User Inline is a writing software like MS Word, but it is designed specifically for creating assignments. It uses .DOCS format. For math assignments, User Inline has special math symbols available, whereas MS Word requires the MathType software to be used for creating math assignments.”

Certain Virtual University assignments can only be submitted through the User Inline platform, not through other word processors. User Inline serves as a dedicated writing software for composing VU assignments, much like Microsoft Word in features and functionality.

However, User Inline is specialized only for assignments. It uses a proprietary .DOCS document format. For assignments containing mathematical equations and symbols, User Inline has built-in tools and math symbols. So students don’t need to access additional software just for math representations – unlike MS Word which requires MathType.

So in summary – User Inline is a specialized virtual writing software made by VU to facilitate assignment creation in its standardized format. Certain assignments also mandate the use of Inline for compliance. It makes assignment writing more seamless, especially those containing mathematical content.

How to Use MathType Software for Math Assignments?

Here are some tips on using MathType software for math assignments:

1. Install MathType plugin in MS Word

Go to the MathType website and download the latest version of the software. Follow installation instructions to integrate the Mathtype tools into MS Word for easy access.

Or click the button below to download MathType software for windows. (30 Days Trial Version)

2. Enable MathType tab in Word

Once installed, you will find a new “MathType” tab in MS Word toolbar. Click to enable it whenever you need to insert math equations. Keep it disabled when regular typing.

3. Insert equations using Equation Editor  

In the Word document, place the cursor where you want the math equation. Open “Equation Editor” from the MathType tab and type the equation using predefined math symbols and templates.

4. Customize equation appearance 

Use features like font style, size to customize the look of equations. Align, indent or number equations using MathType tools based on assignment requirements.

5. Insert common expressions as symbols  

For frequent math symbols, use “Symbol Palette” to standard expressions like alpha, beta, deltas etc. by a single click rather than retyping.

6. Check for accuracy

Review inserted equations closely for any error before finalizing the assignment. Confirm symbols, sub/superscripts, and templates reflect the intended math expression.  

Using MathType’s rich features for math composition, review, and customization assists with accurately authoring and presenting math-based assignments as per guidelines. The tools make writing equations much easier.

How to Submit VU assignments after completing?

• Log in to your VULMS student account at vu-lms.pk
• Click on the “assignment” for which you need to submit the assignment. This will open the submission section.
• If required, use the plagiarism checking tool and make amendments based on the report. Plagiarism check is compulsory before final submission for most assignments.  
• Click the “Upload” button to select your completed assignment file from your device/computer file system. Common file formats accepted are .docs, .pdf.
• Click Submit to upload your assignment to VU servers. Ensure the file size aligns to specified limits.
• The portal will display a real-time confirmation message upon successful submission. Your assignment now gets tagged under the course for instructor access and grading.
• You can now view assignment submission status and grades in your Roll Call portal or access directly from Inline as well.

(In case, you have written your assignment through “User Inline”. Click the “Save” Button to submit your assignment.)

Following these steps correctly ensures your hard work translating into properly submitted assignments to Virtual University for due evaluation within deadlines.

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Variations on Written Assignments

Both in a campus-based teaching situation as well as in an online teaching situation, issuing written assignements is a very feasible approach for designing learning activities.

Written assignments are one of the most common formats to enable students to acquire  knowledge and skills in a number of domains and for a number of learning outcomes ánd they allow teachers at the same time to support students in this learning process, assess their progress and assess the students' final level of attainement.

Written assignements can come in various forms. With a test one thinks more or less directly about some questions and answers, while an assignment is more like a task that a student has to carry out and that a tutor receives after completion, though intermediate results might also be required. There are many assignments to think of, from heavy to light. Below a number of different types of written assignments are listed. Hopefully this list will spark your imagination to think what kind of writing assignment fits best your learning goals.

rewriting a 'difficult' article in easy-to-read Dutch;

correcting incorrect definitions;

assessing an article for its methodological quality;

detecting shortcomings in a problem and improving it;

identifying reasoning errors in an argument;

separate opinions, interpretations and results in a text;

formulating valid conclusions from a text provided;

formulating recommendations for a memo;

formulating different scenarios to achieve the same goal;

writing a training programme;

writing letters to various bodies or persons;

writing a letter sent to a newspaper or magazine;

formulating procedural proposals for the handling of reports or policy proposals;

interpreting given facts in light of different theories;

describing the degree of similarity between a given model and the reality;

reasoning for the choice of a particular sampling method in the case of a given research question;

Critical comparison of different research designs in relation to a formulated research question and formulate your own preferences, and argue for it's better suitability;

comment on the internal validity of a research;

indicate the general scope of research results;

determine the theoretical relevance of given research results;

articulate the application possibilities of a particular theory;

reasoning on the social relevance of different types of research results;

critically discussing a research report with regard to form and content;

writing a book review on the basis of a guideline;

writing a research design;

defending or attacking a given proposition;

writing a leaflet or poster based on research results;

creating slides for a PowerPoint presentation based on a scientific article.

The assessment criteria for this type of assignment may initially be taken from the evaluation criteria for student products. 

The debriefing with the student about the products can take place individually or in groups. The latter has the advantage that it is likely to be more effective and that there is also a learning effect for all students.

Additional Resources

More variations on Assignments

Essay Assignments

Responding to Written Assignments

The information on this  page is based on Ch. 17 of Toetsen in het Hoger Onderwijs van Henk van Berkel, Anneke Bax and Desiree Joosten

Or search in vu.nl

Assignment and Assessment formats

Good assignments and assessments engage students by encouraging them to perform activities that teachers can observe and measure (validity). Familiarity with various assignment and assessment formats helps to increase this validity, while still keeping it manageable. With the collection on this page, you can find all kinds of ideas and quickly find something that suits your situation. Click on the options on the left to filter the formats based on VU Taxonomy , your group size and how you would like to apply it in practice. Choose a specific assessment type and read more on how to apply it.

VU Taxonomy?

• Knowledge base (8)
• Programme specific skills in applying knowledge and understanding (38)
• Open Mind (13)
• Interpersonal skills (25)
• Oral communication (25)
• Written communication (30)
• Own reflexive attitude and responsibility in society (28)
• Responsible for own study career and study success (15)

For which total cohort?

• More than three hundred (26)
• More than one hundred (46)
• Between fifty and one hundred (49)
• Up to fifty (50)
• Up to twenty five (49)

For which execution: Individual and/or group?

• Individual (51)
• Small group (2-4 pers) (40)
• Medium Group (5-12 pers) (9)

360-degree feedback

Advisory or policy report, argument mapping (argument assignment), case assignment (case study) – clinical case study (medical), case-based exam with closed questions, case-based exam with open-ended questions, collaboration skills score form (team skill), company visits, concept map, tree diagram, scheme, venn diagram, time line, criterion-based interview, critical incident, elevator pitch, final product (product detailing), formulating exam questions, gobbet (language analysis, thematic analysis, genre analysis, concept analysis), jig saw (expert exercise), job application, journaling (diary) and supervision, knowledge clip, video, lab with report (laboratory practical), leadership assignment, objective structured clinical examination (osce) – medical, observation (of behavior), open-book exam with open-ended questions, paper (essay, argument), peer review, plan of action, portfolio interview, poster presentation (symposium), presentation, product design, professional conduct score form, progress test, progress test (medical), reading assignment, reflective interview, reflective journal, research project, research proposal, research report, review / letter to the editor, self reflection (reflection report), skills test, performance assessment, stakeholder interview, synopsis, abstract, take-home exam, test with closed questions (quiz, partial test, exam), test with open-ended questions (quiz, partial-exam, exam), video (knowledge clip, documentary), workplace assessment (internships), leave a reply cancel reply.

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• If an applicant is unaware about Computer usage and intends to seek admission at VU, it is mandatory for him/her to attend Orientation Classes organized by the university at the nearest Virtual Campus.
• Submit your Admission dues within or before due date printed on Challan Form.
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• Admission Form will not be processed if applicants’ readable CNIC / B-Form (if applicable), Official Final Transcripts / Result Card/Degree (if required) and Photograph are missing as mentioned in Document Check List page.
• Admission will be processed if applicant meets the published admission eligibility criteria of a program.
• Scanned copy of Admission Form will not be accepted.
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