Course Title: Conduct online research for further study

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: GEDU6095

Course Title: Conduct online research for further study

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4386 - Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation

Course Contact: Melanie Kyle

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4052

Course Contact Email: melanie.kyle@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Melanie Kyle 51.2.0 melanie.kyle@rmit.edu.au

Melanie Reynolds 51.2.0 melanie.reynolds@rmit.edu.au

Jane Collins 51.2.0jane.collins@rmit.edu.au

Jacqueline Cheng 51.2.0

jacqueline.cheng@rmit.edu.au

 

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

 

None.

Assumed knowledge: 

To successfully undertake this unit, minimum language, literacy and numeracy skills that align to level 3 of ACSF are recommended.

Course Description

 

This course will be delivered in a blended mode. This means that the delivery is both online and face to face. By studying online in this course you will develop your independent learning skills in preparation for tertiary study. You will develop research and analysis skills in a tertiary study context. This unit of competency is taught in conjunction with VU21865 Tertiary reading and Writing (GEDU6092).


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU21868 Conduct online research for further study

Element:

1. Prepare for online research

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Access online web search tutorials to gather effective search techniques
1.2 Identify search engines and databases relevant to research needs in consultation with expert personnel
1.3 Determine method and process for collecting and recording information gathered with others if required

Element:

2. Research information

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Determine purpose and scope of the research according to requirements and clarify with others if required
2.2 Identify key words and phrases for the search according to appropriate techniques
2.3 Access a range of websites and databases using relevant search engines

Element:

3. Analyse information

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Critically examine material for relevance and suitability
3.2 Identify references from texts to follow up in further search
3.3 Gather, organise and manage information in a format suitable for analysis and interpretation


Learning Outcomes


 

On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competence of the above elements. The outcomes described in this unit relate to the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) and Australian Qualities Framework (AQF).

http://www.acer.edu.au/cspa/australian-core-skills-framework

http://www.aqf.edu.au/aqf/in-detail/aqf-levels/ 

They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF/AQF indicators of Reading and Writing competence at Level 4.


Details of Learning Activities

This unit is part of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation program. This competency will have blended delivery: online and face to face.

This competency will cover basic skills in online research. You will develop the skills and knowledge required to gather, critically analyse, organise and present information from online research.

You will:

  • Access online resources and complete online activities
  • Identify search engines and databases relevant to research needs
  • Critically examine material for relevance and suitability
  • Gather, organise and manage information in a format suitable for ananlysis and interpretation

 

Course Dates: 
6 February - 2 June 2017 

Public Holidays:

Labour Day Holiday – Monday 13 March 2017

Anzac Day Holiday – Tuesday 25 April 2017

Mid‐Semester Break:

Thursday 13 April 2016 – Wednesday 19 April 2017


 


Teaching Schedule

This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program.This unit is clustered with VU21865 Prepare for Tertiary Reading and Writing (GEDU6092)  which is also delivered using blended mode (online and face to face).  

 

Week

VU20764 Conduct online research

VU20761 Prepare for tertiary reading and writing

VU20761

VU20764

1

Reading Strategies

Online:

Welcome Announcement

Teacher Introduction

Post Student Introduction on Discussion board

Course Overview and Assessment Guide

Privacy and Social Media Guidelines (Induction Booklet)

Efficient reading strategies- skim & scan (Learning Lab)

Activity-Reading, scanning and comprehension

- text with questions and writing a paragraph

Research management –CAPOW

Activity-watch and take notes ad put on padlet

 

Face to face:

Explanation of and modelling blended delivery

Induction: Blackboard & accessing online courses, Turnitin and My Provisional Grades, invoices & RMIT email

Review/practice reading, scanning and comprehension

E1

 

2

Research and note-taking

Online:

iSearch Library Research Skills –Ge Started

Reading, Note taking: Learning Lab and YouTube video

Activity- read and take notes from article, complete quiz

 

Face to face:

Review/practice listening & notetaking from AV and written text

E1

E1 E2 E3

3

Paragraph Writing

Online:

iSearch Library –Search

Activity- taking notes and summarising longer text

Paragraph Writing- topic sentences and linking words (Learning Lab)

Activity-Write practice paragraph & submit on Turnitin

 

Face to face:

Topic sentence & paragraph scramble activities

Using databases for online research

Turnitin – how to use, access GradeMark feedback and check Originality report RMIT guidelines & instructions

E1 E3

E1 E2

4

Paraphrasing

Online:

iSearch Library -Evaluate

What is an expert?

Activity-read and paraphrase and submit via turnitin

Assessment Task: Paragraph Writing

Due Monday 27 February via Turnitin

 

Face to face:

Paraphrasing and critical thinking – do CAPOW activity

E1 E3

E 1 E2

5

Referencing

Science/Engineering streams

Online:

iSearch Library -Reference

Harvard Referencing style

Annotated bibliography models & structure

Activity-Write practise Annotation with citation

Read Assessment task: Annotated bibliography

Face to face:

Referencing &  writing annotations and model annotated bibliographies

 

Business/Legal streams:

iSearch Library -Reference

Harvard Referencing style

Effective business writing

Read Assessment Task: Written Business

Communication and complete part one

Face to face:

Referencing/paraphrasing and quoting

Discuss Assessment Task: Written Business Communication

E1 E2 E3 E4

 

E1 E2 E3

6

Topic focus and Academic/Formal Writing

Science and Engineering streams

Online:

Mind mapping tutorial

Activities-Academic Writing and Harvard Referencing

Assessment Task: Annotated bibliography topic focus and research.

Face to face:

Mind mapping activity

Topic focus discussion

Demonstrate & produce academic writing and Harvard Referencing

 

Business/Legal streams

Online:

Mind mapping tutorial

Activities-Academic Writing and Harvard Referencing

Business letters

Activity-write practice business letter to address inquiry

Face to face:

Mind mapping activity

Model writing a business letter

Templates and style guides

E1 E3 E4

 

E 1 E2 E3 E4

7

Synthesizing

Science Engineering streams

Online:

Academic Writing Style

Activity- Read, take notes and synthesize

Assessment task: Annotated bibliography DRAFT due Monday March 20 via Turnitin

Face to face:

Practice synthesizing and in text citations

Discuss Assessment task: Annotated bibliography

 

Business/Legal streams

Online:

Academic Writing Style

Activity- Read, take notes and synthesize

Writing memos

Activity-write a business memo

Assessment task Written Business Communication- continue work

 

 

Face to face:

Writing business emails

Titles and sign offs

 

E1 E2 E3 E4

E 1 E2 E3

8

Exam Week

Science/Engineering streams

Online:

Read teacher feedback on draft in Turnitin for Annotated Bibliography and redraft/edit as required

Complete reference list quiz

 

Business/Legal streams

Online:

Continue work on Assessment task Written Business Communication

Complete reference list quiz

 

 E4

 

 

9

Editing Assessment tasks

Science/Engineering streams

Online:

Editing and proofreading

Annotated Bibliography: Use editing checklist

Assessment Task  Annotated Bibliography

due  Monday 3 April via Turnitin

Face to face:

Discuss Assessment Task  Annotated Bibliography

How to read and interpret feedback

Read and discuss Assessment task Academic Report

 

Business/Legal streams

Online:

Editing and proofreading

Activity-Use editing checklist

Assessment task Written Business Communication

Due Monday April 3 via Turnitin

Face to face:

Discuss Assessment task Written Business Communication

How to read and interpret feedback

Read and discuss Assessment task Academic Report

 

E3 E4

 

 

10

Report Writing

Online:

Compare academic writing styles (essays/reports/reflective writing)

Report structure/sections of a report

Model report

Read Assessment Task  Academic Report

 

Face to face:

Report structure and language

Reporting verbs activity

E1

E1 E2 E3

11

Academic Report

Online:

Assessment task Academic Report:  Topic focus and research

Report structure and language

Choose 3 relevant academic texts: use Harvard Reference Style & record in CAPOW table

 

Face to face:

Databases and topic focus activity

Discuss sample reports

E1 E 2 E4

 

E1 E 2 E3

12

Reading skills

Online:

reading and interpreting graphs and diagrams

Assessment Task Academic Report:

write Introduction  & Findings sections

 

Face to face:

Interpreting, describing trends and labelling graphs/diagrams.

Reporting verbs activity

E1 E 2 E3 E4

 

E1 E 2 E3

13

Synthesizing

Online:

Synthesizing information from graphs and diagrams

Assessment task Academic Report –

write Discussion section

 

Face to face:

Language and purpose of Discussion section of academic report emphasis on synthesizing

E1 E 2 E3 E4

 

E1 E 2 E3

14

Editing and Proofreading

Online:

Assessment task Academic Report DRAFT

due Monday May 15 via Turnitin

 

Face to face:

Peer and self- edit draft academic report using editing checklist

E1 E 2 E3 E4

 

E1 E 2 E3

15

Online:

Assessment task Academic Report

check teacher feedback in Turnitin

edit/redraft  using checklist

 

Face to face:

Support students with redrafting and editing final academic report

E1 E 2 E3 E4

 

E1 E 2 E3

16

Online:

Assessment task Academic Report

due Monday 31 May via Turnitin

 

Face to face:

Exam technique and skills

Support with any Academic Report resubmission

E1 E 2 E3 E4

 

E1 E 2 E3


The teaching schedule may be subject to change. Students will be advised via Blackboard and in class should changes occur.

All students will be inducted into the program. Induction includes:

  • Induction Booklet and presentation 

 


 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

 

This competency will have blended delivery: online using Blackboard and face to face. You can access Blackboard through myRMIT/My Studies. At the induction session in the first week of your program you will be given guidelines on using the system.

Additional information about using Blackboard is available in the Induction Booklet. For information technology needs and online learning tools see: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=hi8nszlw2pr 

TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT
There are no set texts for this course however it is recommended that you have:

  • Headphones and microphone capability on your device
  • USB (Memory stick)
  • Laptop computer

 


Overview of Assessment

 

This competency is part of an integrated program. You must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of the competencies in order to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Assessment tasks will require you to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through practical projects and/or written tasks.

Feedback:

Both verbal and written feedback will be provided throughout the semester, as well as individual and group feedback on practical exercises.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

The Student Charter www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-education/supporting-learning-and-teaching/student-charter/ summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT University student as well as the responsibilities of the university.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which can be found on the RMIT University website at: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1


Assessment Tasks

Assessment will take place throughout the course.Your work is assessed on a competent (CA)/not yet competent (NYC) basis.

You will be given written feedback on all assessment tasks. There will be individual and group projects completed.
Assessment is ongoing and its purpose is to develop your skills.You will be given the opportunity of checkpoints throughout the course to develop your ability to identify and correct your own mistakes which is an important part of the learning process . It is important that you read the specific elements each assessment task addresses on the cover sheet for each task. At the time of setting assessments you will be given clear guidelines about which course, elements and performance criteria you will need to meet in order to successfully complete the task. Submission dates & deadlines will also be clearly explained.

 

All assessment must be submitted through Turnitin via myRMIT, My Studies (Blackboard).

Summative Assessments:

Assessment Task: Paragraph Writing (due Week 4)

Assessment Task: Annotated Bibliography or Business Writing (depending on stream) due Week 9

Assessment Task: Academic Report (due Week 16)

 

All assessment tasks including electronically recorded student work will be kept by the University for student feedback and to meet government requirements.


Assessment Matrix

 

Each assessment cover sheet clearly outlines the competencies being addressed in the task in relation to performance criteria. The sum of assessment tasks will cover all units and their elements over a range of occasions. You will be given opportunities to demonstrate competency in a variety of ways throughout the program. 

You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or Program Coordinator. An assessment delivery plan will be available on Blackboard (myRMIT).
 


 

Other Information

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.

Student program policy www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academicprogress
 

You will be asked to attend mid-semester and end of semester interviews with relevant teachers and Program Co-ordinator. The interviews are an important part of giving you feedback and supporting you through your program by monitoring your academic progress
 

Special consideration policy (Late submissions)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Extension www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Special consideration is an assessment adjustment for unexpected circumstances that are outside your control, which:
• have a significant adverse impact on your performance in assessment or
• prevent you from attempting or submitting the assessment. Special Consideration www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy
www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview