Overview
This unit introduces you 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 your 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 their application in the built environment. The unit will introduce you to the core elements of social innovative practice and how these principles can be applied to a range of cultural and environmental contexts.
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 - 2024
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 Student evaluation
The lectures. The PowerPoint was sometimes slow and didn’t show up as they were being discussed.
A review of Zoom and current computer system will seek ways to improve the hosting experience.
Feedback from Student evaluation
Enjoyed learning some basic math skills that I lacked at school.
Unit review will maintain the maths endorsement provided.
Feedback from Student evaluation
Results/feedback for assessment 3 took too long.
Review will look at marking assistance to shorten return time.
Feedback from Student evaluation
I liked how we could connect with the teacher before the live discussion if we had any doubts.
Consultation time before and after the scheduled online class will be retained.
- Explain, interpret, and report on commonly used built environment communication concepts, mediums, and strategies
- Analyse, design, and formulate mathematical and trigonometric solutions applicable to built environment activities and logistics
- Evaluate course resource materials and demonstrate the effective application of academic referencing and relevant software to create scholarly content in a range of contexts
- Develop strategies to apply social innovation principles in a range of cultural and environmental contexts.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 5% | ||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10% | ||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||
| 5 - Online Test - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 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 - Online Test - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Basic Building and Construction Skills
Edition: 6th edn (2020)
Authors: Moran, R
Cengage Learning Australia P/L
South Melbourne South Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9780170420570
Binding: Other
The Little Pearson Handbook
4th Australasian edition (2017)
Authors: Faigley, L, Carey, M & Munoz, G
Pearson Australia
Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9781488616846
Binding: Spiral
Additional Textbook Information
An e-book version for each text can be accessed freely and read online via the CQUniversity library. A web search will identify various commercial suppliers if a print version is preferred.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Access to printer and scanner
- Microsoft Office or equivalent software
- Webcam and headset
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.lawrence1@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Topic 1 - Introduction to CQU systems and services
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 2 - Research and referencing skills
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 3 - Written communication skills
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 4 - Visual communication skills 1
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 5 - Visual communication skills 2
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No scheduled class
Chapter
Use the time to work on an assessment or take a wellness break.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 6 - Number operations and Algebra
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 7 - Algebraic equations
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 8 - Trigonometry
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 9 - Vectors
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 10 - Geometry
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 11 - Construction communications and social innovation
Chapter
Please refer to the Moodle unit site for additional information.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Day and afternoon time for the A5 online test during Exam Week released by Saturday.
Assessment 4 Due: Week 11 Monday (20 May 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Topic 12 - Test/examination and revision skills
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Unit review and exam period begins.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Exam period concludes.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
A5 online test as advised in Week 11.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
Assessment 1 relates to learning outcome 1 and requires you to answer a quiz of multiple choice questions based on CQU systems and services. Quiz opens Week 1 Friday at 15h00.
Please note results for this assessment will be made available within a short period after the due date. Consequently, extension of time requests will be denied except under very exceptional circumstances.
1
Other
Week 2 Friday (15 Mar 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Saturday 16/03/2024 after the quiz due date and time expires.
Test and apply knowledge based on topic content.
- Explain, interpret, and report on commonly used built environment communication concepts, mediums, and strategies
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Online Quiz(zes)
Assessment 2 relates to learning outcome 3 and requires you to answer a quiz of multiple choice questions based on research and referencing skills. Quiz opens Week 3 Friday at 15h00.
Please note results for this assessment will be made available within a short period after the due date. Consequently, extension of time requests will be denied except under very exceptional circumstances.
1
Other
Week 4 Friday (29 Mar 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Saturday 30/03/2024 after the quiz due date and time expires.
Test and apply knowledge based on topic content.
- Evaluate course resource materials and demonstrate the effective application of academic referencing and relevant software to create scholarly content in a range of contexts
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
Brief response
Assessment 3 relates to learning outcomes 1 and 3, requiring research to answer questions on built environment projects and to demonstrate communication and referencing skills via your response.
Week 7 Monday (22 Apr 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
It is recommended the Moodle submission remain in draft form until you have viewed the Turnitin report and made any necessary amendments before lodging by the due date and time.
Week 9 Tuesday (7 May 2024)
Students will be advised if a delay emerges.
Your assessment submission must be in an electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions from the Assessment tab shown on the unit Moodle site. 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.
- Communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Use graphs, illustrations and other graphics to visually support your submission.
- Demonstrate the core knowledge associated with this unit and show appropriate application of that knowledge.
- Explain, interpret, and report on commonly used built environment communication concepts, mediums, and strategies
- Evaluate course resource materials and demonstrate the effective application of academic referencing and relevant software to create scholarly content in a range of contexts
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
4 Written Assessment
Mathematics workbook
Assessment 4 relates to learning outcome 2, requiring analysis and conceptualisation to formulate mathematical solutions for multiple questions.
Week 11 Monday (20 May 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Monday (3 June 2024)
Students will be advised if a delay emerges.
Your assessment submission must be in an electronic format.
Before or on the nominated due date, upload your work following the on-screen instructions from the Assessment tab shown on the unit Moodle site. Your submission will be processed through the similarity detection software, Turnitin. You may be advised by Turnitin to resubmit your assessment as it cannot recognise handwritten solutions; ignor this and continue with your lodgement. You must ensure 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.
- Communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Use graphs, illustrations and other graphics to visually support your submission.
- Demonstrate the core knowledge associated with this unit and show appropriate application of that knowledge.
- Analyse, design, and formulate mathematical and trigonometric solutions applicable to built environment activities and logistics
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
5 Online Test
Assessment 5 relates to learning outcomes 2 and 4. After prior study preparation, you will answer questions exploring the learning content covered in topics 1-11.
The duration of test will be 150 minutes.
The test is Open Book and requires the use of a calculator - non-programmable, no text retrieval, silent only.
Your submission will be uploaded via the assessment link in Moodle.
Date and afternoon time during Exam Week (10-14 June 2024) as advised in Week 11.
Friday 28/06/2024. Students will be advised if a delay emerges.
The assessment will be assessed on the following basis:
Clarity of expression and comprehensive coverage of issues;
Use of quality supporting documentation as appropriate;
Use of original thought and content;
Overall presentation and ability to communicate using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation and the use of appropriate diagrams and other visual communication; and
Demonstration of core knowledge and demonstration of appropriate application of knowledge.
- Analyse, design, and formulate mathematical and trigonometric solutions applicable to built environment activities and logistics
- Develop strategies to apply social innovation principles in a range of cultural and environmental contexts.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
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?
