Overview
This unit introduces you to professional communication concepts that are relevant to a career in information and communication technologies (ICT). Topics include negotiation, teamwork, conflict management, academic referencing, library skills, and oral and written communication. The unit introduces awareness of cultural diversity and its management in a multicultural workforce.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
COMM11003 Communication in Professional Contexts is an anti-requisite for COIT11239.
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 - 2019
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 and self-reflection.
The assessment requirements need to be clearer.
The assignments will be reviewed prior to publishing.
Feedback from Student evaluation and self-reflection.
Improve slides and video.
We will improve the clarity of the explanations on the slides and the videos. We will seek feedback regarding the slides and videos.
Feedback from Student evaluation.
Students liked various components including the writing style, research and argument sections, the relevance to industry was highlighted, and this unit helped them build skills needed for other units. International students appreciated learning more about Australian culture.
We will continue to seek opportunities to strengthen the industry relevance of the sections in this unit.
- Explain communication concepts and strategies
- Show confidence and skills in oral communications and presentations
- Work effectively as part of a team
- Communicate effectively in a professional context
- Define and demonstrate conflict management and resolution strategies.
- Core skill, Business Skills: Communication skills and teamwork
- Relationship management (RLMT)
- Information Management (IRMG)
- Research (RSCH)
- Innovation (INOV)
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Group Work - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Presentation - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Group Work - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Presentation - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Office including Word, Powerpoint and Excel
- Webcam, microphone and speakers (or headset)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.shield@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Communication Skills in ICT
Chapter
1 Effective Business Communications
3 Understanding Your Audience
Events and Submissions/Topic
You must attend all classes as in-class assessments occur each week, including the first week. This includes distance students.
Assignment 1 Due: Week 1 Monday (11 Mar 2019) 1:00 am AEST
Assignment 2 Due: Week 1 Monday (11 Mar 2019) 1:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Interpersonal Communication
Chapter
12.5 Organizing Principles for Your Speech
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Writing Style
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Arguments
Chapter
6.3 Making an Argument
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Teamwork & Intercultural Communication
Chapter
18 Intercultural and International Business Communication
19 Group Communication, Teamwork, and Leadership
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Academic Skills
Chapter
6.4 Paraphrase and Summary versus Plagiarism
8.4 Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Academic Skills
Chapter
Harvard Referencing Style abridged guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
ICT Communication in Action
Chapter
9 Business Writing in Action; upto 9.3 Business Proposal
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Demonstrations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
In-class Article Analysis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Check with your lecturer regarding rescheduled classes.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete unit feedback survey in Moodle - the red "Have your say" button.
There is no exam for COIT11239.
You must attend all classes as most of your assessment takes place in class time (this includes distance students).
Unit coordinator: Jamie Shield, j.shield@cqu.edu.au, 07 4037 4750.
1 Group Work
The aims of this assignment are to develop your skills in ICT industry teamwork and interpersonal conflict management.
Assignment 1 is comprised of several group tasks. You must be able to attend class as these tasks will be assessed in your class. Distance students will require a web cam, microphone and speaker or headset.
Draft Schedule - Refer to the unit website for updates
| Activity | Oncampus Week | Distance Week | Description |
| System name game | 1 | 1 | Systems development often involves creating something that does not exist. We must communicate using techniques such as metaphors, for example, “the system is like a pipe”. You will experience common industry communication barriers. |
| Facts and opinions | 4 | 3 | Many miscommunications are due to poor listening. This activity will involve identifying effective listening strategies and recognising poor listening strategies. |
| Survival decisions | 7 | 3 | You will experience group decision-making approaches. |
| Knowledge sharing game | 5 | 5 | You will experience different team cultures. |
| Mob writing | 8 | 8 | You will experience an Agile-like activity while practising article analysis. |
| Conflict role plays | 10 | 10 | You will role play conflict scenarios. |
Further details will be provided to you on the unit website.
Week 1 Monday (11 Mar 2019) 1:00 am AEST
Refer to the assessment schedule on the unit website for due dates.
A moderation process is performed to ensure marker consistency. To facilitate the moderation process, your lecturer might record your tasks. Feedback will be returned within a fortnight of assessment when the moderation process is complete. Any feedback you receive prior to the moderation process might change.
The assignment criteria include aspects such as your listening skills, engagement, reflections, conflict management skills, spelling and grammar.
Plagiarism will dealt with according to University policy. Your assignment might be assigned a zero grade or reported for further action.
Incomplete submissions such as those in which staff are unable to access linked material, for example, due to insufficient permissions, might not be marked or a late penalty might be applied.
No submission method provided.
- Show confidence and skills in oral communications and presentations
- Work effectively as part of a team
- Define and demonstrate conflict management and resolution strategies.
- Communication
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
2 Presentation
The aim of this assignment is to develop your oral communications skills.
There are several presentations in Assignment 2. You must attend classes as these tasks will be assessed in your class. Distance students will require a web cam, microphone and speaker or headset.
Draft Schedule - Refer to the unit website for updates
| Presentation Task | Oncampus Week | Distance Week | Description |
|
Daily stand-up |
2 |
1 |
You will experience a Daily stand-up which is a widely used Agile practice designed to help a team organise itself. |
|
My skills |
3 |
3 |
You will tell a story to a small group, describing a behaviour that demonstrates one of your ICT professional skills. |
|
Emergency broadcast |
6 |
5 |
In small teams, you will develop an emergency broadcast address. |
|
Demonstration |
10 |
10 |
In pairs, you will demonstrate a software feature. |
Further details will be provided on the unit website.
Week 1 Monday (11 Mar 2019) 1:00 am AEST
Refer to the unit website for due dates of the individual tasks.
Feedback will be returned within a fortnight of assessment when the moderation process is complete. Any feedback you receive prior to the moderation process might change.
The criteria for the presentation usually include aspects such as your stage presence, your gestures and your slideshow’s structure, framing and mechanics, including the style, grammar, punctuation and spelling.
All group members will usually receive the same mark for components such as the slideshow framing. Your presentation skills are usually marked individually.
Plagiarism and the use of a rewriting engine such as a synonym generator or a spinner will dealt with according to University policy. Plagiarism penalties and academic misconduct charges may apply to all group members for group components. Your assignment might be assigned a zero grade or reported for further action.
Incomplete submissions such as those in which staff are unable to access linked material, for example, due to insufficient permissions, might not be marked or late penalties might be applied.
No submission method provided.
- Explain communication concepts and strategies
- Show confidence and skills in oral communications and presentations
- Work effectively as part of a team
- Communicate effectively in a professional context
- Define and demonstrate conflict management and resolution strategies.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
3 Written Assessment
The aim of this assignment is to allow you to demonstrate your ability to apply and share expert Information and Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge.
Assignment 3 is comprised of four quizzes and an in-class article analysis. During the Week 11 class, you will be required to read and analyse an article within three hours under supervision.
| Task | Week |
| Quiz 1 | 3 |
| Quiz 2 | 5 |
| Quiz 3 | 7 |
| Quiz 4 | 9 |
| In-class article analysis | In Week 11 class |
Further details will be provided to you on the unit website.
Week 3 Monday (25 Mar 2019) 1:00 am AEST
Refer to the unit website for due dates of the individual tasks.
Feedback for the quizzes will be returned within a fortnight of assessment when the moderation process is complete. Any feedback you receive prior to the moderation process might change. Your grades and feedback for the article analysis will usually not be available until after the grade certification date.
The criteria for the quiz questions include aspects such as the communication strategy design, adherence to a style guide, writing style, correct classification of arguments, analysis of the validity of arguments, and your writing mechanics, for example, spelling and grammar. The criteria for the article analysis include aspects such as your summary, answers to the questions, organisation, the writing style, use of CQUni Harvard referencing, grammar and spelling.
Incomplete submissions such as those in which staff are unable to access linked material, for example, due to insufficient permissions, might not be marked or late penalties might be applied. Plagiarism and the use of a rewriting engine such as a synonym generator or a spinner will dealt with according to University policy. Plagiarised assignments might be assigned a zero grade or reported for further action.
No submission method provided.
- Explain communication concepts and strategies
- Communicate effectively in a professional context
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- 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?
