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

The combination of mobile and wireless technologies provides a foundation for a new network computing paradigm, called mobile computing, which allows users to access information and collaborate with others while on the move. Digital communities increasingly rely on mobile computing to conduct business, develop social network, and get entertainments. Mobile computing offers new opportunities such as contextual personalisation while presenting some challenges such as constraints on processing capabilities, and network bandwidth. More generally mobile computing devices are becoming ubiquitous giving rise to ubiquitous computing.

Assumed Knowledge
It is expected that students undertaking this unit already have some knowledge on undertaking research using the Web and library for gathering information and writing reports. Students will also benefit from skills and experience in using mobile and wireless technology, social computing (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, etc), and managing teamwork.

Aims

This unit provides the opportunity for exploring new and emerging mobile devices and ubiquitous computing including iPhone, Smart Phones, PDA, GPS, Digital Cameras, and wireless technology such as 3G, WiMax, and RFID. Students will critically review and understand how they can be used in business, health, entertainment and science. Students will be guided to acquire the skills and knowledge required to critically explore and utilise the new and emerging technologies within diverse contexts. Students will also appreciate the impacts of these devices and be inspired for the current and future opportunities in ICT usage trends.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge of the many and varied mobile and wireless technologies currently being used within different contexts (GC1, GC4, GC5),


2. Apply critical and creative thinking to strategically assess the implications of mobile computing when applied within different contexts, and evaluate the associated legal and ethical issues (GC2, GC6),


3. Demonstrate understanding of the principles for appraising and implementing new and emerging technology in different contexts (GC3,GC7),


4. Use a variety of mobile and wireless technologies (GC1)


5. Apply the skills to keep up to date with the new and emerging technology (GC4, GC5,GC7)

Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
GC4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration
GC6 - Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7 - Leadership and Change

Content

This unit introduces the wide variety of new and emerging mobile and wireless technologies from a high-level perspective. Using compelling case studies, this unit will address both the existing and new "uncharted" activities that can be supported by mobile computing, with a particular emphasis on social networking and mobile collaboration. Design and implementation challenges will be discussed in a practical and refreshing approach.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The content of the unit is delivered through a series of lectures, workshops, and the QUT Blackboard site. Workshops will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of the unit and provide an opportunity to discuss, analyse, and apply the concepts to specific contexts. Workshop staff will be available to provide assistance. In between these workshops, students will work independently and collaborate with the team and tutors.

The unit emphasises a 'hands-on' approach to learning through the illustration of new concepts through worked examples and demonstrations. The concepts introduced are presented in realistic scenarios. Workshops will be used to reinforce lecture material through participatory discussions centred on questions posed at the end of each lecture. You will need to research the questions before each workshop. You will work on a project of your choice which has a combined research, design and technical focus. You are encouraged to discuss your project within project groups and workshops

Concurrent Teaching
This unit is being taught concurrently with an undergraduate offering of the same subject. University policy permits postgraduate and undergraduate students to attend the same lectures. Separate workshop/practical sessions will be provided for postgraduates students where student numbers allow. As a postgraduate student you will be required to complete separate assessment tasks that reflect the advanced knowledge and understanding of the subject. For this unit that means your assessment will be of increased complexity but not necessarily of greater length or effort. The assessment will require you to show additional evidence of critical evaluation.

Assessment

Your participation in workshops will be assessed by tutors. You are expected to participate by both investigating the questions posed at the end of each lecture and by contributing to discussion in workshops raised by other students. You will be given the opportunity to undertake a mobile computing project in an area of your choice: projects will be multifaceted combining elements of research, design and technical elements (e.g. programming).You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:

• ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during lectures and practical sessions


• you will be given informal feedback concerning you project in the middle of the semester during workshops.


• private consultation with teaching staff

Assessment name: Workshop Participation
Description: Participation in workshops structured around questions posed in the previous weeks lecture.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 2-13

Assessment name: Project
Description: Group project of students own choice
Relates to objectives: 3, 4, 5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 13

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Final exam
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam period

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

No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.
There is no prescribed textbook for this unit.
The Blackboard will provide all reading materials and the case scenarios. Students are encouraged to read widely using resources available on the Internet.

Risk assessment statement

There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit.

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: 23-Aug-2012