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 organisational 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.
Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:
(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:
(b.) Additional requirements (all students):
See also Unit timetable information
Martin Atchison
Consultation hours: Building H room 7.62 Wednesday 3-5; Thursday 10-1; Other days and times by appointment martin.atchison@monash.edu
Martin Atchison
Consultation hours: Wednesday 3-5; Thursday 10-1; Other days and times by appointment martin.atchison@monash.edu
Pamela Spink
Consultation hours: TBA
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 the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. 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, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
Based on previous student feedback this unit is well structured and no changes have been made for this semester.
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
| Week | Activities | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0 | |
| 1 | Introduction and basic concepts: Organizations, information, technology, systems, development/acquisition processes | Note: Tutorial classes for this unit will begin in Week 1 |
| 2 | Introduction to organisations - organisational objectives, structures and their impacts on information needs | Assignment 2 (Tutorial participation exercises) commences this week |
| 3 | Introduction to information - forms and characteristics; issues for organizations | Assignment 1 made available |
| 4 | Introduction to tools and technologies - capabilities and limitations for meeting information needs | |
| 5 | Introduction to systems - characteristics, strengths and weaknesses for information handling | |
| 6 | Introduction to development processes - principles and techniques | Assignment 1 presentations begin. Assignment 3 made available |
| 7 | Advanced topics in organisations and their information needs | Assignment 1 reports due |
| 8 | Advanced topics in Information and information management | |
| 9 | Advanced topics in Information Technology - standards, specialisation and commodification | |
| 10 | Advanced topics in systems - complexity | Assignment 3 presentations begin |
| 11 | Advanced topics in system development and acquisition | Assignment 3 reports due |
| 12 | Dreams, realities, and nightmares in organisational information and IT usage | Last week of assessment for Assignment 2 |
| SWOT VAC | No formal assessment is undertaken in 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 learning system.
Examination (3 hours): 60%; in-semester assessment: 40%
| Assessment Task | Value | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 - Organisational use of information and IT | 15% | Report due Week 7. Presentations in Weeks 6 and 7 |
| Assignment 2 - Tutorial participation exercises | 10% | Weeks 2 to 12 |
| Assignment 3 - Major issues in IT usage | 15% | Report due Week 11. Presentations in Weeks 10 and 11 |
| Examination 1 | 60% | To be advised |
Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/assessment-hurdles.html)
Academic Integrity - Please see resources and tutorials at http://www.monash.edu/library/skills/resources/tutorials/academic-integrity/
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 organisational 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
Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html
Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
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.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html
Students may not resubmit assignments.
Follow the Monash Library Guides for Citing and Referencing at http://guides.lib.monash.edu/content.php?pid=88267&sid=656564
It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/student-academic-integrity-managing-plagiarism-collusion-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 electronic submission). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.
If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.
Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Limited copies of 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.
There will be no significant additional costs.
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: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Important student resources including Faculty policies are located at http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/
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 http://www.monash.edu.au/students. For Malaysia 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, resources and programs that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to www.lib.monash.edu.au or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information. At Malaysia, visit the Library and Learning Commons at http://www.lib.monash.edu.my/. At South Africa visit http://www.lib.monash.ac.za/.