This module is not currently running in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.
2012/13 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
LUBS1150 Information Technology and Communication Skills I
10 creditsClass Size: 400
Module manager: Dr Alistair Norman
Email: an@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2012/13
This module is mutually exclusive with
| COMP1006 | Effective Personal Computing |
| LUBS1045 | Personal Tutorials for Accounting and Finance |
| LUBS1151 | Information Technology and Communication Skills I (Part-time |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
On completion of this module students should be able to show:1. effective use of key Office - type software to produce simple business oriented documents.
2. an effective level of self-discipline and good practice in the management of information (by the use of appropriate backups and data protection protocols).
3. an effective information search strategy and practice (using current commercial tools as well as specialised databases).
4. the use of a mandated (VLE) mechanism for collaborative working and practical and widely available extensions / alternatives, and the use of a mechanism for collaboration on a widely available platform.
5. effective use of a communication channel beyond simple e-mail (such as instant messaging, VOIP or video over IP)).
6. an awareness of the importance of ICTs to organisations and the people working within them.
Learning outcomes
The module aims to provide a practical introduction to the use of ICT in a business context, developing both practical skills and an awareness of the use of ICTs in a commercial environment.
Skills outcomes
The module will require, and develop:
- Research Skills
- Use of ICT in context
- Argument and logical construction of argument
- Documentation of findings and analysis.
Syllabus
Students will be asked to take part in a short online debate facilitated by a discussion group manager (TA) in groups of 12 students. This will be on a topic related to ICT use in business - mobile working for example.
The first assessed piece of work will be the production of a very short individual report on this debate together with evidence of the ability to use basic word processing, information searching and retrieval, spreadsheet, information management and presentation management software. In practical terms this will be supported by drop-in workshops as it is at the moment. These workshops will be themed as skill support workshops for what we could regard as baseline information technology skills. This means that some students will have a relatively lighter load at the start of the module than others. However, it also means that we can provide more focused support for the students who do feel that they need to add a level of competence in the foundation skills.
The second assessed piece of work will require students, working in groups of about 6 students and overseen by the discussion group manager, to electronically contact and survey a small number of managers or users of information technology in commercial environments. In practical terms they will be directed to family and friends. The survey will address what these managers and users of technology see as being the key advantages and disadvantages of information and communication technology and where they see development in the future. The surveys will be in a set format so that results can be scaled up from individual groups and combined with those from other groups. If every student interview two people on average that would make for a very strong sample.
This stage of the process will be supported by a series of lectures bringing employers in to talk to students about the use of technology in their industries. Students will also be supported by access to drop-in sessions (and one compulsory group appointment) with teaching assistants who can assist them with the development and management of the project.
Students will be required to submit a group presentation which will:
1. evidence the process they have gone through in order to interview managers and users of technology;
2. showcase their own individual results as a group;
3. contrast those results with a group-as-a-whole results.
The presentation will also address their own use of technology in the process- with specific reference to the stated knowledge outcomes
Outline Schedule
Week // Lecture
1. Introduction to Part 1
2. Using the web and library databases
3. Key ICT skills - tips and tricks
4. Introduction to Part 2 - tools and requirements
5. Employer 1, eg Database use
6. Employer 2, eg Mobile working
7. Employer 3, eg eCommerce
8. Employer 4, eg CRM / ERP
9. Your report - tips and tricks
10. No lecture
11. No lecture.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Debate | 1 | 5.00 | 5.00 |
| Fieldwork | 3 | 2.00 | 6.00 |
| Lecture | 9 | 1.00 | 9.00 |
| Practical | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 25.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 50.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 25.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
Students will be organised into study groups as outlined above and will be required to interact on the VLE and through other ICT mediated routes. Supervision of this, and support, will come via drop in workshops run by the discussion group managers.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Participation in the online debate- Submission of the first part of the assignment - week 4
- Attendance at drop in sessions
- Presentation of the group project plan
- Submission of the final group project.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Group Project | 3,000 words based on survey and analysis | 55.00 |
| Reflective log | 2,000 words | 40.00 |
| Computer Exercise | Online survey | 5.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
The resit for this module is a 3 hour computer paper.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 22/04/2013
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD