CQUniversity Unit Profile
COIT11239 Professional Communications Skills for ICT
Professional Communications Skills for ICT
All details in this unit profile for COIT11239 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

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

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

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 - 2021

Brisbane
Cairns
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney
Townsville

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Group Work
Weighting: 30%
2. Presentation
Weighting: 50%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Evaluations

Feedback

Improve slides and videos.

Recommendation

Improve the quality of materials by substituting content from the generic professional communications unit.

Feedback from Student Evaluations

Feedback

Students appreciated the caring teachers, learning gestures for presentations and conflict resolution strategies. International students appreciated learning the communication customs used by Australians.

Recommendation

Maintain the quality of teaching.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain communication concepts and strategies
  2. Show confidence and skills in oral communications and presentations
  3. Work effectively as part of a team
  4. Communicate effectively in a professional context
  5. Define and demonstrate conflict management and resolution strategies.

Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is in use in over 100 countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles.
ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html
This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA. The SFIA codes and core skills included are:
  • Core skill, Business Skills: Communication skills and teamwork
  • Relationship management (RLMT)
  • Information Management (IRMG)
  • Research (RSCH)
  • Innovation (INOV)

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

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 and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Webcam, microphone and speakers (or headset)
  • Microsoft Office including Word and Powerpoint
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Jamie Shield Unit Coordinator
j.shield@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Introduction to Communication Skills in ICT

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Interpersonal Communication

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Writing Style

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Arguments

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 1 (Facts and Opinion)

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Teamwork in ICT

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Research Skills

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 1 (Conflict Role Play)

Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 2 (Practice Talk)

Week 8 Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

Mob Writing Workshop

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 1 (Mob Writing)

Week 9 Begin Date: 10 May 2021

Module/Topic

ICT Communication in Action

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

Individual Presentation Workshop

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 2 (Individual Presentation)

Week 11 Begin Date: 24 May 2021

Module/Topic

Writing Assignment Workshop

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 3 (Written Assessment)

Week 12 Begin Date: 31 May 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Unit Coordinator: Jamie Shield, Cairns, j.shield@cqu.edu.au,
Office: 07 4037 4750

Assessment Tasks

1 Group Work

Assessment Title
Assessment 1

Task Description

Assessment 1 involves the following three tasks:

  • Task 1: Facts and Opinions (5%)
  • Task 2: Conflict Role Play (5%)
  • Task 3: Mob Writing (20%)

These tasks will be assessed in your class. Those attending online will require a web cam, microphone and speaker or headset.


Assessment Due Date

Task 1 (Due: Week 4) / Task 2 (Due: Week 6) / Task 3 (Due: Week 8)


Return Date to Students

Within 2 weeks after submission due date


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

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.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Your tasks will be assessed during class. Each task has its own submission instructions. You will usually need to submit a written answer, script or reflections online. Please refer to the unit website for submission instructions.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Show confidence and skills in oral communications and presentations
  • Work effectively as part of a team
  • Define and demonstrate conflict management and resolution strategies.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Presentation

Assessment Title
Assessment 2

Task Description

Assessment 2 involves the following 2 tasks:

  • 5-min practice talk (20%):
  • Individual presentation (30%):

For both tasks, assessment will based on various factors such as audience engagement, appropriate use of time, gestures, vocalised non-verbals, speaking rate, and contents/format of slide show.

Distance students require a web cam, microphone and speaker or headset.


Assessment Due Date

Task 1 (Due: Week 7) / Task 2 (Due: Week 10)


Return Date to Students

Within 2 weeks after submission due date


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

The criteria for the presentations 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. 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.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please refer to the unit website for submission instructions. Each task has its own submission instructions. Your presentations will be assessed during class. You will need to submit items such as PowerPoint slideshows or video recordings of your live presentation. Include the names and student numbers of your group members in documents such as slideshows. All group members should submit. Please refer to the unit website for submission instructions. A moderation process is performed to ensure marker consistency. To facilitate the moderation process, your lecturer might record your tasks.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • 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.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice
  • Social Innovation

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 3

Task Description

Assessment 3 is a written assignment involving an article analysis. During the Week 11 class, you will be required to read and analyse an article within three hours under supervision.

The aim of this assignment is to allow you to demonstrate your ability to apply and share expert Information and Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge.


Assessment Due Date

Assessment 3 will be due during your Week 11 class.


Return Date to Students

Within 2 weeks after submission due date


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

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.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain communication concepts and strategies
  • Communicate effectively in a professional context


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Social Innovation

Academic Integrity Statement

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?