Overview
This unit introduces students to elementary communication concepts that are relevant to a career in the built environment. Topics include writing and presentation, basic mathematics as applicable in the built environment, interpretation commonly used in industry documentation, effective plan and specification reading and analysis, academic referencing and library skills, oral and written communication, negotiation, teamwork, conflict resolution and ethical issues. The unit develops students ability to use the learning management systems, unit profile, resource materials and study guides. All topics are discussed in a technical context with an emphasis on practical exercises and application in the built environment. The unit introduces awareness of cultural diversity and its management in a multicultural work force.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2017
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Course Evaluation
I think the maths quizzes were a great addition. Good to have that immediate feedback, see where you went wrong.
Have IaTD roll over all future courses to prevent the linking issues that occur when the course coordinator imports the course.
These were hidden in term one 2017 due to Moodle issues. IaTD and the Unit Coordinator are working to re-establish these.
Feedback from Course Evaluation
Do the research, literacy and library components before the maths as they are more relevant to other subjects I was doing so I had to do a lot of my own research into referencing and the library before we got to these topics.
Review the structure of the unit.
The structure of the unit has been reviewed and changes made.
Feedback from Course Coordinator's and markers' observations & Student feedback
Some assessment items require rewriting.
Change the written assessment to better meet the learning outcomes and course goals. Remove the essay question from the exam.
Assessment has been revised and additional guidance in the form of rubrics, marking templates and videos have been provided to the students.
- Explain communication concepts and strategies.
- Interpret and report on commonly used built environment project documentation.
- Analyse, design and formulate mathematical and trigonometric solutions applicable to built environment activities and logistics.
- Apply and demonstrate an effective understanding of academic referencing and use of software to write academic essays, communications and reports.
- Evaluate course resource materials including learning management system, unit profile, study guides and resource material.
- Appraise and manage cultural diversity in a multicultural work force.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 5% | ||||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10% | ||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||
| 5 - Examination - 40% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 5% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
| 5 - Examination - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Basic Building and Construction Skills
Edition: 5th (2016)
Authors: Hawkins, Edward
Cengage
Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9780170357944
Binding: Paperback
The Little Penguin Handbook
Edition: Latest Australian & New Zealand Ed (2014)
Authors: Faigley, Lester
Pearson Australia
Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9781486015528
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Computer headset (microphone speaker combo)
- Microsoft Office or equivalent software
- Web camera (webcam)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
n.adams@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Topic 1 - Introduction to CQU systems and services
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 2 - Research and reference skills
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 3 - Written communication skills
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 4 - Visual communication skills 1
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 5 - Visual communication skills 2
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No scheduled study this week - enjoy your break!
You should use this week to catch-up or work on assessment.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 6 - Introduction to construction calculation
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 7 - Number operations and algebra
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 8 - Equation solving
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 9 - Introductory trigonometry
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 10 - Vectors
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 11 - Introduction to building contracts
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 12 - Examination and revision skills
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle site for specific readings and additional unit information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Unit review/exam week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The best way to contact the Unit Co-ordinator, Nadine Adams, is by email: n.adams@cqu.edu.au.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
Assessment 1 relates to unit learning outcomes 1 and 5 and will require you to answer multiple choice questions based on topic 1.
1
Other
Week 2 Thursday (16 Mar 2017) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 3 Thursday (23 Mar 2017)
No Assessment Criteria
- Explain communication concepts and strategies.
- Evaluate course resource materials including learning management system, unit profile, study guides and resource material.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Online Quiz(zes)
Assessment 2 relates to unit learning outcomes 1, 4 and 5 and will require you to answer multiple choice questions based on research and referencing skills.
1
Other
Week 4 Monday (27 Mar 2017) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 5 Wednesday (5 Apr 2017)
No Assessment Criteria
- Explain communication concepts and strategies.
- Apply and demonstrate an effective understanding of academic referencing and use of software to write academic essays, communications and reports.
- Evaluate course resource materials including learning management system, unit profile, study guides and resource material.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
Brief response
Assessment relates to learning outcomes 1, 2, 4 and 5.
This assessment is a 400 word response to an article posted on the Moodle site by applying learning from Topics 2 and 3.
Week 6 Monday (17 Apr 2017) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Thursday (4 May 2017)
Your assessment submission should be produced in an electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions. Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report. You must ensure that the work is your own or has been correctly referenced to the appropriate author(s), according to the CQU requirements.
You will find further support material for this assessment on the unit Moodle site.
The assessment will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Show clarity and succinctness of expression.
- Adequate coverage of topics discussed.
- Use and reference correctly supporting information.
- Present original thoughts and opinions.
- Communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Use graphs, illustrations and other graphics to visually support your submission.
- Explain the core knowledge associated with this unit and show appropriate application of that knowledge.
- Explain communication concepts and strategies.
- Interpret and report on commonly used built environment project documentation.
- Apply and demonstrate an effective understanding of academic referencing and use of software to write academic essays, communications and reports.
- Evaluate course resource materials including learning management system, unit profile, study guides and resource material.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
4 Written Assessment
Mathematics workbook
Assessment relates to learning outcomes 1, 3, 5.
This assessment is in a multiple question format allowing you to analyse, conceptualise and formulate mathematical solutions by applying learning from Topic 6 to 10.
This assessment will cover all of the mathematics topics. The workbook is available for download on the unit Moodle site.
Week 11 Friday (26 May 2017) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Friday (9 June 2017)
Your assessment submission should be produced in an electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions. Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may amend your work based on the detection report. You must ensure that the work is your own.
You will find further support material for this assessment on the unit Moodle site.
The assessment will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Show logic to solve problems.
- Use correct mathematical conventions, diagrams and other visual communication to support your submission.
- Explain the core knowledge associated with this unit and show appropriate application of that knowledge.
- Explain communication concepts and strategies.
- Analyse, design and formulate mathematical and trigonometric solutions applicable to built environment activities and logistics.
- Evaluate course resource materials including learning management system, unit profile, study guides and resource material.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
Examination
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
