FIT5122 Professional practice - Semester 2, 2015

This unit provides a practical and theoretical understanding to what it means to be an IT professional today. Students will encounter a range of issues relevant to professional practice in the workplace, including ethical and legal challenges caused by technology use. Students will research established theories and concepts and critically evaluate their practical use (taking into account many international aspects) in organisations today, as well as reviewing and understanding the wider responsibilities that IT professionals are called upon to uphold in society. Topics addressed include - organisational and professional communication; teamwork; the nature of the IT professions; the role of professional associations; problem solving and information use; cross-cultural awareness; personal and professional ethics and codes of practice.

It is highly recommended that students enrol in FIT5122 in conjunction with FIT5120 where possible. Students therefore should take FIT5120 in the last semester of their course.

Mode of Delivery

• Caulfield (Day)
• Caulfield (Online)
• Malaysia (Evening)

Workload Requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

• One 1-hour lecture
• One 3-hour laboratory

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

• A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

See also Unit timetable information

Unit Relationships

Co-requisites

Full-time students must enrol in FIT5122 or FIT5104 in conjunction with FIT5120 in their final semester. Part-time students must complete FIT5122 or FIT5104 prior to enrolling in FIT5120, in their final semester. Only students completing the Archives and recordkeeping or Library and information science specialisations in the Master of Business Information Systems and Master of Business Information Systems (Professional) will enrol in FIT5104 in place of FIT5122.

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Tutors

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

The unit was run for the first time in semester 1, 2015 and as such, no changes have been made yet, in response to feedback, however if you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to

https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

1. compare and contrast IT professional roles, assessing the necessity and rationale for constant review and change;
2. identify and analyse the ethical dimensions associated with IT-related decisions, use and quality and their possible impacts on organisations and society;
3. reflect on and analyse the need for IT professional associations and the need for codes of ethics (including the ACS) in IT development and use;
4. research, select and apply strategies, protocols and innovative methods for effective and efficient communications across all stakeholders, evaluating their appropriateness for intercultural communications;
5. appraise and justify various teamwork skills for various situations, demonstrating the ability to apply them by working cooperatively and managing conflict within their team;
6. develop and apply appropriate information gathering, critical evaluation (information and its sources) and problem solving skills;
7. evaluate, assess and communicate both personal and team progress and learning, thus engaging in meaningful reflective practice.

Unit Schedule

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Teaching Approach

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 25%, In-semester assessment: 75%

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Assessment Tasks

Participation

Participation in the unit is critical to achieving the required learning outcomes and is assessed in various ways.

You will be expected to read assigned reading material and/or watch online lectures before attending the lecture in order to participate in lecture discussions. There may also be self-guided online quizzes referring to this material.

You will also be expected to read other assigned reading material which will then be reviewed by you and your peers in particular studios (dates on Moodle).

There will also be team based case study deliverables worked on in and outside of studios and therefore your participation is essential for your team. 

All this is outlined in the assessment descriptions below. 

• Assessment task 1

  Title:

  Participation Assessment - Studio reviews/self guided quizzes/ lecture participation

  Description:

  Meets learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3
  
  The particpation assesment is made up of three parts, all of which wil continue throughout the semester.

  Part 1 Peer review discussion in studios

  Students will individually review and comment on 5 set journal papers. In the tutorials, students will discuss the paper, already read and reviewed individually, in small groups and present the group's review to the tutorial class. Assessment will be based on both tutor observations and peer assessment.
  This assignment will encourage you to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of Professional Practice issues by reflecting on the relevant literature and engaging with other students to draw meaningful conclusions from your individual and collective reflections. (15% of the 25%)

  Part 2 Online quizzes
  There will be some weekly online quizzes posted on Moodle throughout the semester. The due dates and times will be posted on Moodle in week 1. These quizzes will reflect your understanding of online lectures and/or assigned reading for that week prior to the formal lecture. (5% of the 25%)
  
  Part 3 Particpation during the lecture/tutorials
  Active participation, discussion and application in defined lecture/tutorial sessions, based on the week's online lectures and/or assigned reading  is expected.  The mark will be allocated based on both tutor observations and peer assessment. (5% of the 25%)

  Weighting:

  25%

  Criteria for assessment:

  Part 1 Peer review discussion in studios
  You are expected to read the paper specified for that tutorial, prepare some notes that summarise your understanding of the given paper, and identify questions and issues that, in your opinion, the paper raises related to Professional Practice both practically and theoretically, and be prepared to discuss this in a review group.

  The assessment for this item is based on the peer evaluation and tutor observation of your performance in the tutorial, including preparation, participation and contribution, the ability to allow and encourage others to contribute, the ability to share your understanding of ISD with other students and the ability to use the University library resources. The marks from the four highest reviews will be used. (15% of the 25% participation marks).

  Part 2 Online quizzes
  These will reflect assigned readings and/or online lectures for that particular week. The assesment is based on correctness of the answers. The average mark of all the quizzes will be taken at the end of the semester. (5% of the 25% participation marks).

  Part 3 Particpation during the lectures/tutorials
  Active participation and discussion in lecture/tutorial sessions, based on assigned readings/online lectures is expected.  
  The grade will be  based on the peer evaluation and tutor observation of your performance across the sessions and will be counted at the end of the semester. (5% of the 25% participation marks).

  Due date:

  Part 1 Peer Review studios - (5 of them) - will be held in Week/s: 4, 5, 8, 9, 11. Specific dates and requirements will be posted on Moodle. Part 2 Online quizzes will be held throughout the semester. Specific dates and requirements will be posted on Moodle. Part 3 Participation during lectures, will be weekly: weeks 2-11

• Assessment task 2

  Title:

  Practical Case Study Component consisting of various deliverables

  Description:

  Meets learning outcomes: 2,3,4,5,6
  
  The assignment will use a team industry-based case study to evaluate practical professional practice issues discussed throughout the unit.  This will be a team assignment and will involve reports and presentations throughout the semester. Some deliverables will be worked on during studios. Specific tasks, marking criteria and due dates will be posted on Moodle. These documents will be collected and organised by the team using specific ePortfolio software.
  The portfolio gives students the opportunity to document their team experiences and their case study, and reflect, review and learn, personally, from their individual experiences. Part of the protfolio will be a reflection by the whole team of their learning throughout the unit, also documented on the portfolio.

  Weighting:

  25%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The submission and presentation will be assessed on completeness, quality, process and professional practice observed during the assessment tasks documented on the portfolio, together with the team's and individual's reflections on the learning and experience. Detailed criteria for assesment will be posted on Moodle. As a group activity assessment will include peer reviews, tutor observation, meetings, interviews and a peer contribution factor in order to assess different contributions of group members, both quantitative and qualitative. 

  An individual team member’s final mark for the 'Practical Case Study' can vary based on these individual criteria across the semester.
  Feedback and constructive criticism will also be assessed on other groups' work observed during their presentations. 

  Due date:

  Due dates will vary across campuses and will depend on FIT5120 deliverables. These two units are run in conjunction and the practical exercises will refer to FIT 5120 projects. A schedule of tasks and due dates for each campus will be provided and updated on Moodle .

• Assessment task 3

  Title:

  Critical Review and presentation of findings

  Description:

  Meets learning outcomes: 4, 6 and 1,2,3,4,5, 6 (depending on area chosen by student)
  
  This is an individual assignment. 
  
  The assignment is a critical review of a published journal article that explores aspects of Professional Practice issues in the information technology discipline. Detailed specifications will be provided on the assignment sheet, posted on Moodle. You will present your review findings in the nominated tutorial.

  Weighting:

  25%

  Criteria for assessment:

  This assignment will be assessed on:

  • Originality and clarity of the argument and the development argument
  • Ability to synthesise and reflect on relevant issues in professional Practice and the depth and breadth of those reflections
  • Understanding of current issues concerning Professional Practice in information technolgy.
  • Use of current and relevant literature
  • Layout, structure, spelling, etc. and adherence to style guides including citation and reference standards
  • Presentation of finding

  Detailed specifications will be provided on the assignment sheet, posted on moodle together with the marking guide.

  Due date:

  5th October (Week 10), in studio

Examinations

• Examination 1

  Weighting:

  25%

  Length:

  3 hours

  Type (open/closed book):

  Closed book

  Electronic devices allowed in the exam:

  None

Learning resources

Feedback to you

• Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
• Graded assignments with comments
• Interviews
• Quiz results

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

Online submission

Required Resources

Students must use the online facilities available through the unit Moodle website. Information regarding references, schedules, asessment tasks and so on will be available there. Students will also be expected to access and use the discussion forums. Students are also expected to use Library resources to support their assignment and tutorial work.

Students are required to word process their assignments for submission. Handwritten assignments will not be accepted.

Recommended Resources

Teaching material will be provided on the unit Moodle site.

Additional subject costs

Turning Point clickers or Polling app.s may be used during lectures, however this will be discussed during week 1 lecture.

Examination material or equipment

NO materials or equipment will be permitted in the examination room other than standard writing implements.

Other Information

Policies

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student Charter

Student services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit