This unit seeks to equip students to participate effectively in the development of information products and markets, whether as employees, team members, contractors, or self-employed practitioners. It uses an integrated theoretical and case-based approach. The contexts considered range from for-profit corporate endeavours to community information networks. The unit draws on theory from business and the social sciences to examine the organisational characteristics of information communities (also called virtual communities or human networks), and on practitioner experience in the information industry. It examines how information communities operate as markets for information content including multimedia content. The unit examines the role of the information professional as entrepreneur .It identifies critical success factors in the development of information products and services. The insights are translated into practical competencies required for information enterprise.
Objectives
Knowledge and Understanding
C1. Understand the nature and operation of information communities and information markets, and recognise information needs and opportunities
C2. Understand the factors and relationships to be considered in developing and providing information products and services
C3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of selected theory from business and the social sciences
Attitudes, Values and Beliefs
A1. Develop attitudes, values and beliefs supporting ethical behaviour in the information sector
A2. Develop an awareness of "digital divides" and issues of social justice in relation to information provision and access
Practical Skills
P1. Demonstrate the ability to analyse and critique cases from the information industry
P2. Demonstrate the ability to propose and justify new or improved information products or services in response to needs or opportunities
Relationships, Communication and TeamWork
S1. Gain understanding of the collaborative behaviours and interdependencies which contribute to notions of community
Prerequisites
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed 36 credit points of 1st year units or equivalent.
Unit relationships
You may not study this unit and IMS3810, LAR3010 in your degree.
Texts and software
Required text(s)
None
Textbook availability
none required.
Software requirements
There is no software requirement.
Hardware requirements
Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 10 hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Recommended reading
Castells, M. (2002). The Internet galaxy: reflections on the Internet, business and society. Oxford University Press.
Shapiro, C. & Varian, H. (1999). Information rules: a strategic guide to the network economy. Harvard Business School Press.
Library access
You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
Study resources
Study resources for IMS3010 are:
made available through MUSO. These include lecture notes and tutorial exercises.
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assessment weighting
Assessment for the unit consists of 4 assignments with a weighting of 50% and an examination with a weighting of 50%. Read this section VERY carefully.
The four assignments will be issued between weeks 1 to 10 and will be closely aligned with the material presented in the lectures and tutorials. Assignments 1 to 3 will have a weighting of 10%. Assignment 4 will have a weighting of 20%.
Assignment 1 is based on tutorial contributions. Each week you will be asked to provide a written contribution, of approximately 200 words, based on the tutorial discussions. Contributions must be submitted in the week following each tutorial, but the closing date of this assignment as a whole will be the end of Week 13.
Details of Assignments 2, 3 and 4 will be made available according to the above schedule.
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
1. gain at least 40% of the marks available for the examination component: i.e. the final examination and any tests performed under exam conditions, taken as a whole
2. gain at least 40% of the marks available for the assignment component: i.e. the assignments and any other assessment tasks (such as presentations) taken as a whole
3. gain at least 50% of the total marks for the unit.
Where a student gains less than 40% for either the examination or assignment component, the final result for the unit will be no greater than '44-N'.
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
50% exam 50% assignments
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
Assignment 1 - submitted each week after tutorials 1 to 10, then as a portfolio in Week 13
Week 13
10%
Assignment 2
Week 4
10 %
Assignment 3
Week 6
10 %
Assignment 4
Week 10
20 %
Examination - 2 hours, closed book
Exam period (S1/07) starts on 07/06/07
50 %
Assignment specifications will be made available on the IMS5023 Unit website, available through MUSO..
Assignment Submission
Assignments will be submitted by electronic submission through MUSO. Do not email submissions. The due date is the date by which the submission must be received.
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 5% per day up to 5 business days, after which the assignment will not be accepted.
This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.
Extensions
It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions.
Requests for extensions must be made by email to the unit lecturer, via MUSO, at least one day before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
Grade
Percentage/description
HD High Distinction -
very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction -
high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit -
sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass
acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory
failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.
Assignment return
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.
Feedback
Feedback to you
You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.
Feedback from you
You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.
And if you are having problems
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.
Plagiarism and cheating
Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.
In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work.
When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer.
Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.
Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
Communication
Communication methods
Normal methods of communication for students with teaching staff are during class times (in tutorials, labs, and at the end of lectures), consultation times, or through email.
Notices
Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the Notices Newsgroup in the Unit Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the Notices newsgroup is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.
Consultation Times
The unit lecturer will normally be available to see students during the semester weeks at the following times: Mondays and Thursdays 1-2pm, and Fridays 10-11am. Other times are available by appointment only.
If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:
Dr Steven Wright Lecturer Phone +61 3 990 32994
All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.
Additional information
Message from Associate Dean Education
Due to significant changes to course demand over the last five years the Faculty has restructured all coursework courses. During this restructure the Faculty has been mindful of changes in the profession and has consulted with relevant professional associations and senior IT executives. The new programs have been accredited by the Australian Computer Society. A key consideration in deciding which units are being taught in 2007 and beyond has been maintaining the educational objectives of each program. A consequence of the downsizing of the Faculty has been the reduction of electives in a number of programs. For 2007, the Dean has approved a once off co- teaching of some undergraduate and graduate units. This decision has been made to allow elective choice in the undergraduate degrees that are being taught out. While the units will have common lectures, the different student groups will have different tutorials and assessment.
