The principal development process focus of the unit will be on the social, legal and business context in which multimedia and games developers and development companies must operate. As with all studio units, students will undertake a mixture of formal lectures and seminars, tutorials and laboratory sessions, demonstrations and studio work. They will be required to undertake project planning, documentation and development work, both by themselves and in groups. Students will work in teams on the development of a multimedia or games application. Project teams will use project planning/management skills, and design and build a project using appropriate software processes and methodologies. Students will integrate multimedia, programming, and other technical knowledge in the development process. Requirements are fulfilled by the team producing an identified set of deliverables, usually a project proposal, project plan and feasibility study, a system specification, and finally a prototype or end product. The team must ensure that each deliverable is completed on schedule. Each member of the team must demonstrate a significant contribution to the team effort, and display a sense of responsibility for the project outcome.
At the completion of this unit you will have a theoretical and conceptual understanding of:
You will have developed attitudes that enable you to:
the skills to:
and developed the teamwork skills needed to:
Studio has specific workload and attendance requirements. In class requirements include:
You will also be required to put in hours outside the allocated in class studio time. This time is needed for:
FIT3039 is a core unit in the Multimedia Applications and Games Development majors of the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems. It is a prerequisite for FIT3040 Studio 2.
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed (FIT2001 and FIT2002 and FIT2012 and FIT2016) or MMS2401, or equivalent. You should have knowledge of Systems Analysis and Design, Project Management, and the fundamental multimedia development tools.
You may not study this unit and MMS3404 or MMS3407 in your degree.
Monash is committed to ‘Excellence in education’ (Monash Directions 2025 - http://www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html) and strives for the highest possible quality in teaching and learning.
To monitor how successful we are in providing quality teaching and learning Monash regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through Unit Evaluation Surveys. The University’s Unit Evaluation policy (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/unit-evaluation-policy.html) requires that every unit offered is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys as they are an important avenue for students to “have their say”. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
Faculties have the option of administering the Unit Evaluation survey online through the my.monash portal or in class. Lecturers will inform students of the method being used for this unit towards the end of the semester.
Consideration has again been given to the individual component of assessment, namely the role of the Process Diary. In this semester students will also be expected to begin development of a personal Folio, that will incorporate elements of their design and development process. More information regarding this can be found in the discussion of the assessment items.
This is also the first offering for students undertaking the Games Development major at Caulfield. This cohort will undertake the Studio unit is much the same manner as Multimedia students, however with a focus on the Games industry in the lectures.
This unit uses the Studio mode of teaching.
Lectures are provided to guide students through the requirements of the unit as well as the expected deliverables. These lectures are also intended to provide an insight into the multimedia and games industries, career preparation, exhibitions, and other practical "real-world" elements.
Studio sessions are designed to provide an environment where your team can collaborate with access to staff and requisite technologies. Studio sessions should not just be about development... they should be a time where your team can discuss the product, team progress, administrative matters, and collaborate with your team staff mentor.
Expected activities outside of class include product development, team meetings, client meetings, preparation of project deliverables, and process diary upkeep.
Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.
| Week | Topic | Key dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unit Expectation, Group Formation and Project Selection | |
| 2 | Assessing Project Feasibility, Project Concept Documents | Project Concept |
| 3 | Project Planning Process, Project Plan Document, Work Breakdown | |
| 4 | Multimedia Development Processes | Project Plan |
| 5 | Teamwork and Team Communication | |
| 6 | Preliminary Project Presentations | Preliminary Project Presentation |
| Mid semester break | ||
| 7 | Folios, Careers and Exhibition | Blog and Workbook #1 |
| 8 | Intellectual Property | |
| 9 | Multimedia and Game Testing | |
| 10 | Delivering a project, Hand-over, Documentation | |
| 11 | Presentation Skills | |
| 12 | Final Handover Expectations | |
| 13 | Student Presentations | Project Presentations, Final Project, Blog and Workbook #2 and Folio |
There is no required textbook for this unit. After choosing your project you may be required to obtain texts relating to the topic or development technologies.
A list of recommended readings will be made available on the unit website. Due to the wide variety of projects, a definitive list will not be available, however some general books that may help include:
Nicholas, "Project Management for Business and Technology", Prentice Hall
Satzinger et. al, "Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World", Thomson
There are no specific software requiements for this unit. After choosing your project you will be required to use the most appropriate development software. Some packages that will be of primary use include:
** Note that software required will be that of all other Multimedia units at Berwick as well as Games Development units at Caulfield. It is not required in all labs, however access to this software in at least one lab will be required.
Study resources we will provide for your study are:
There are a number of key resources that must be reviewed by all students. This includes:
The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching. To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.
The Educational Library and Media Resources (LMR) is also a very resourceful place to visit at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/library/
All unit and lecture materials are available through MUSO (Monash University Studies Online). Blackboard is the primary application used to deliver your unit resources. Some units will be piloted in Moodle. If your unit is piloted in Moodle, you will see a link from your Blackboard unit to Moodle (http://moodle.monash.edu.au) and can bookmark this link to access directly. In Moodle, from the Faculty of Information Technology category, click on the link for your unit.
You can access MUSO and Blackboard via the portal: http://my.monash.edu.au
Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then Blackboard under the MUSO learning systems.
In order for your Blackboard unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.
For example:
For more information, please visit: http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html
You can contact the MUSO Support by phone : (+61 3) 9903 1268
For further contact information including operational hours, please visit: http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html
Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site: http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html
In order to pass the unit, students must pass both the group and individual components and attend 80% of studio classes.
Note that in the event of concern over the contribution of a team member, staff will review their contribution using project documentation, examination of Process Diaries and discussions with the students concerned. If it is deemed that contribution is significantly lacking, then that individuals group component may be multiplied by a factor of 0.5. This includes non-attendance in Studio sessions and will be strictly enforced
Title : Project Concept
Description :
Weighting : 0%
Criteria for assessment :
Due date : 11th March
Title : Project Plan
Description :
Weighting : 10%
Criteria for assessment :
Due date : 25th March
Title : Blog and Workbook Submission #1
Description :
Weighting : 15%
Criteria for assessment :
Due date : 22nd April
Title : Final Group Presentation
Description :
Weighting : 10%
Criteria for assessment :
Due date : 3rd June
Title : Final Product
Description :
Weighting : 35%
Criteria for assessment :
Due date : 3rd June
Title : Blog and Workbook Submission #2
Description :
This is the second submission of your individual project diaries. The diaries consist of a blog and folio and should show your contributions and reflection on the project. It will contain written reflections, analysis, drawings, screenshots, and any other material that provides insight into your role in the project. This second submission should inherently focus on reflection of the project and your team, as well as a folio presenting your work from the year.
Weighting : 15%
Criteria for assessment :
Due date : 3rd June
Title : Preliminary Project Presentation
Description :
Weighting : 5%
Criteria for assessment :
Due date : 8th April
Title : Folio
Description :
Weighting : 10%
Criteria for assessment :
Due date : 3rd June
Assignments/Deliverables will be submitted by paper submission to your supervising staff member. On-campus Students submit the assignment to the staff member with the appropriate cover sheet correctly filled out and attached.
The due date is the date by which the submission must be received.
The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.
Requests for extensions must be made to your group staff mentor at least one week before the due date. You may be asked to forward supporting documentation to validate why the extension is required. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.
Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with the University Plagiarism policy and procedure (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) which applies to students detected plagiarising.
In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work.
When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer.
Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.
Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.
The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.
Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:
Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.