Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Learning networks are complex groups of people and technologies that interact purposefully in order to build knowledge. Because they lie at the centre of formal and informal education, a deep understanding of learning networks is critical for all educators. This unit provides an introduction to how individuals and groups learn, particularly with the application of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), across a wide range of contexts. The unit provides a gateway to your course and addresses important skills and understandings that you can apply immediately as a student and later as a professional educator.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to enable you to acquire skills and knowledge related to (i) digital literacies, (ii) collaborative learning mediated by ICTs, (iii) theoretical and practical perspectives of technological learning environments, and (iv) building robust learning networks in your profession.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Develop academic, professional and personal spoken and written language literacies relating to this unit. [QCT Standard 2]
2. Retrieve, evaluate and re-present information using appropriate technologies in order to form new knowledge and demonstrate personal proficiency, particularly in the creation of digital texts. [QCT Standard 3]
3. Build consultative, collaborative and critical relationships that are embedded in learning networks, particularly through participation in technically-mediated discourses. [QCT Standard 9]
4. Participate effectively in professional learning networks and teams in a range of contexts and commit to reflective practice. [QCT Standards 6, 9 & 10]

Content

This unit includes the following topics: information theory, the construction of academic texts, collaborative learning and the analysis of a range of professional learning networks. Computer laboratory activities provide an opportunity to develop and demonstrate technical skills as well as time to investigate contemporary issues within a group setting. A series of case studies are examined in order to understand the nature of current learning networks in the field.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

In addition to traditional lectures, class tutorials, computer laboratory-based instruction and study groups, you will be asked to participate in network-based activities, discussions and reflections.You will be provided opportunities to view and practise all major forms of expression before they are assessed. The core learning approach is based on critical inquiry coupled with collaborative sense-making in order to publish expressive scholarly works. You will have a chance to focus on topics that interest you and/or form part of your professional specialisation.

Assessment

You will be provided feedback on assessment tasks similar to the ones that contribute to your final grade. This will be done in tutorial sessions, with peers and through written comments in the preparatory activities directed at assignment work. You will have the option of further work based on needs revealed by formative assessment. A key formative assessment item, the Individual Research Task, will be conducted early in the semester. Smaller formative assessment tasks are set throughout the semester.

Assessment name: Presentation
Description: Multimedia presentation and justification
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Essay
Description: Essay and Discussion Forum.
Individual with group component
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
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

Text
There are no set physical texts for this unit. Freely available digital texts from various electronic sources will be used as readings.

Computer and Internet Access

Many of the learning experiences in this unit are facilitated through the use of web documents, forums and other Internet-based services. You can use the computer laboratories on campus. Alternatively you can arrange convenient and reliable access to the Internet with a computer system that is equivalent to those found in the computer laboratories.

Software References
Specific software references vary from semester to semester based on the current version of software applications - Windows Movie Maker, MS Word

References

Bolstad, R. (2004). The role and potential of ICT in early childhood education: A review of New Zealand and international literature. Wellington: Ministry of Education.

Carrington, V., & Robinson, M. (Eds) (2009). Digital literacies: Social learning and classroom. Los Angeles: Sage.

Fluck, A. (2011). Laptop classes in some Australian government primary schools. Australian Educational Computing, 26(1), 10-15.

Howland, J. L., Jonassen, D., & Marra, R. M. (2011). Meaningful learning with technology. Boston: Pearson Education.

Sutherland, R., & Robertson, S. L. (2008). Improving classroom learning with ICT. New York: Routledge.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the general conduct of 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: 30-Oct-2012