This unit examines the nature of the information needs of organisations, groups and individuals, and the ways in which IT-based systems support them. The main focus of the unit will be on organizational needs for IT-based systems and information management, but it will also consider the wider social context for issues relating to information and IT usage. The changing hopes and expectations of what IT and information can offer to assist the enterprise will be a particular focus of attention. This will provide the basis for consideration of the range of roles required of the IT professional in developing and implementing IT-based solutions to information problems.
2 hrs lectures/wk; 2 hrs tutorials/wk
Students will be expected to spend a total of 12 hours per week on this unit throughout the semester.
This will include:
Lectures: 2 hours per week
Tutorials: 2 hours per week
and up to an additional 8 hours per week for reading resources and texts, completing tutorial exercise, working on assignments, private study and revision.
Martin Atchison
Consultation hours: Tuesday 2-4; Wednesday 10-12; Other days and times by appointment
Steve Wright
Consultation hours: Tuesday 2-3; Wednesday 11-12; Friday 1-2
Martin Atchison
Consultation hours: Tuesday 2-4; Wednesday 10-12; Other days and times by appointment
Morgan Priestnall
Consultation hours: To be advised
Examination (3 hours): 60%; in-semester assessment: 40%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| A case study in organizational use of information and IT | 15% | Week 6 of semester |
| Tutorial participation exercises | 10% | Weeks 3 to 12 of semester |
| Major issues in IT usage | 15% | Week 11 of semester |
| Examination 1 | 60% | To be advised |
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through SETU, Student Evaluation of Teacher and Unit. The University's student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monash's educational strategy, and on student evaluations, see:
http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.
Required resources will be included with each topic in the Moodle page for the unit.
| Week | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0 | |
| 1 | Basic concepts: Information: issues in its supply and management | |
| 2 | Basic concepts: Organizations and their information needs | Assignment 1: Case Study in organizational use of information and IT - made available |
| 3 | Basic concepts: The nature of information; its implications for organizations | Assignment 2: Tutorial participation exercises - commences |
| 4 | Basic concepts: IT and information - visions, capabilities and limitations | |
| 5 | Basic concepts: Developing and acquiring information and system solutions | Assignment 3: Major issues in IT usage - made available |
| 6 | Information management as an organizational problem | Assignment 1 due |
| 7 | An introduction to organizational information management practices | |
| 8 | Information technology - standards, specialisation and commodification | |
| 9 | Organizations and information - the problem of organizational change | |
| 10 | Dreams and realities in organizational information usage | |
| 11 | Issues in development and acquisition and the problem of failure | Assignment 3 due |
| 12 | Current issues and future concerns; unit review | Assignment 2 complete |
| SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken SWOT VAC | |
| Examination period | LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/ academic/education/assessment/ assessment-in-coursework-policy.html |
*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.
Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the key basic concepts relating to:
Demonstrated ability to apply the academic theory in these areas to its practice in an organizational setting
Demonstrated ability to carry out an investigation and report on its findings in written and verbal form
Demonstrated level of knowledge and understanding of the key issues involved in the topic
Demonstrated level of knowledge and understanding of the impact of these issues on organizations in practice
Quality of research and clarity of expression of ideas
It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz).
Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced.
You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University's academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them.
You can find Monash's Education Policies at:
http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Key educational policies include:
The University provides many different kinds of support services for you. Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at www.monash.edu.au/students. For Sunway see http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services, and for South Africa see http://www.monash.ac.za/current/
The Monash University Library provides a range of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Sunway, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.
Academic support services may be available for students who have a disability or medical condition. Registration with the Disability Liaison Unit is required. Further information is available as follows: