Units
Academic And Professional Communication
Unit code: EAB364
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
The unit includes the following: the development of an understanding of the general processes of communication in an academic and professional contexts; application of information literacy skills to a range of print and electronic sources; conventions for communicating using a range of academic text-types using print and electronic media; key concepts relating to the study topic: Families in Context.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Unit Rationale
It is important that, as learners and teachers, you understand communication processes and have a flexible repertoire of strategies, skills and practices for interacting with others during study and professional practice.This unit develops your competence and confidence in the use of communication technologies and information literacies in academic and professional contexts. Academic communication requires the use of particular conventions. Professional communication facilitates information-sharing among colleagues. In the context of early childhood education and care, this unit focuses on building your understandings and skills through learning activities embedded in a broad investigation of a topic relevant to your course.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to provide you with an introduction to basic research strategies and academic writing. It will contribute to your development as a teacher by providing you with skills for extending your own learning at university and beyond, and by developing skills for participating in a professional manner in early childhood settings.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate communication strategies, skills and practices for different social and cultural contexts by choosing appropriate language and literacy practices. (QCT Standards 2, 3)
2. Explain key concepts relating to an important issue in early childhood education and care. (QCT Standards 3, 4, 8)
3. Exhibit academic and professional standards of research and communication skills appropriate for a first-year university learning context, including use of Standard Australian English. (QCT Standards 2, 10)
Content
This unit includes the following topics: researching scholarly information from digital and paper sources; academic referencing techniques; designing a focus question for research; data collection through interview; writing a basic academic literature review and research report; and creating communicative texts for interacting in the professional community.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
In collaboration with the lecturer, you will identify a topic for your further research in early childhood education and care. You will research the topic and engage in discussion with peers and professionals to develop a portfolio of communicative texts related to the topic. Feedback is ongoing and the assessment portfolio is accumulated gradually to allow for support along the way. Use of online teaching materials is essential. First year experience principles are applied in this unit.
Assessment
Each assessment task builds towards the next assessment task culminating towards a final research report. Assessment tasks include both formative and summative components.Feedback will be provided electronically through emails and through written comments on all assignment work. Face to face assignment feedback consultation will also be offered.
Assessment name:
Research Paper
Description:
Introduction and plan of investigation. Research a student selected topic and provide a plan of investigation.
Length: 300 - 500 words
Relates to objectives:
2 & 3.
Weight:
10%
Internal or external:
External
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Early-Semester
Assessment name:
Research Paper
Description:
Literature review.
Length: 1200 - 1500 words
Relates to objectives:
1, 2 & 3.
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
External
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid semester
Assessment name:
Portfolio
Description:
Final research report and presentation.
Length: 2000 - 2500 words equivalent (includes literature review from assignment 2).
Relates to objectives:
1, 2 & 3.
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
External
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Cottrell, S. (2008) The study skills handbook (Palgrave Study Skills) (3rd ed.) New York: Palgrave McMillan.
Emerson, L. (Ed.). (2007). Writing Guidelines (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, VIC: Thomson.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks which need to be considered in this unit. Workplace health and safety protocols in relation to computer use will apply.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 29-Oct-2012
