Course Title: Conduct online research

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: GEDU5254C

Course Title: Conduct online research

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3203 - Certificate III in General Education for Adults

Course Contact : Baia Tsakouridou, Bloss Robertson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4488

Course Contact Email:baia.tsakouridou@rmit.edu.au, bloss.robertson@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Duncan Box

duncan.box@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 35

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

Course Description

In this unit of competency you will be introduced to skills and knowledge required to prepare to enter tertiary study . It applies to learners who need to carry out research and analysis tasks in a tertiary study context. This may involve
collaborative activity where some responsibility is required to delegate aspects of these tasks to others. It will be taught in conjuction with:

VBQM481 The Legal System


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBEBUS401A Conduct online research

Element:

1 Prepare self and/or others for online search

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Purpose and scope of the research brief are clarified and meet organisational requirements
1.2 Research requirements for combining online research with non-electronic sources of information are identified and communicated as required
1.3 Possible internal and external sources of online information are identified and communicated as required
1.4 Search engines and databases relevant to research needs are identified in consultation with expert personnel
1.5 Key elements of the research brief are identified to assist in online search
1.6 Organisational requirements for reporting or presenting research results are confirmed
 

Element:

2 Research business information

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Websites and databases are identified using relevant search engines / information brokers / portals
2.2 Key words and phrases are identified for the search using logic and other research tools
2.3 Websites are navigated and searches conducted using key words and phrases identified for the research topic
2.4 Breadth and depth of research source/s meet the requirements of the research brief in terms of its scope and purpose
2.5 Research is conducted in accordance with legal and ethical requirements
 

Element:


3 Locate and retrieve information

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Information is located and assessed against set criteria in accordance with research requirements
3.2 Search results are analysed for sufficiency against the research brief and further research conducted where information is insufficient
3.3 Information is downloaded, printed or ordered in accordance with the requirements of the distributor and copyright owner and organisational requirements

 

Element:


4 Report online research results

Performance Criteria:

4.1 A report or presentation of the outcomes of online research is prepared in accordance with organisational requirements
4.2 Outcomes are reported with referenced material from the search/es integrated with non-electronic search results if applicable and sources documented in accordance with organisational requirements
4.3 Information is organised in a format suitable for use in accordance with organisational requirements
4.4 Legal requirements relating to copyright and protection of intellectual property are met
 


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) They contribute directly to the achievement of ACSF indicators of Reading and Writing competence at Level 5:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Programs/LitandNum/ACSF/Pages

 


Details of Learning Activities

This competency will cover basic skills in online research.

You will:

Access online web search tutoiral to gather effective search acitivities
 

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


Teaching Schedule

Program Dates: Mon 18 February – Fri 21 June 2013

Term Break: Fri 29 March – Fri 5 April 2013

Public holidays: Mon 11 March (Labour Day), Fri 29 March (Good Friday),Thur 25 April (ANZAC Day), Mon 10 June 2013 (Queen’s Birthday)

This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program. The assessment tasks have been put in bold to match the unit of competency. The assessment tasks will also cover other units within the course as indicated on this grid.

Week

EMPL5869

Evaluate design portfolio

VBQU155

GEDU5326 Engage in a range of texts Learning
 VBQU157

GEDU5334 Create complex texts Learning

VBQU161

GEDU5355 Investigating current issues

VBQM484

GEDU5254C Conduct online research

BSBEBUS401A

JUST5155 The legal system

VBQM481

1

 

Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial

Ongoing assessment
 

Sentence structure
Summary
Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial
Ongoing assessment
 
research skills Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial
Ongoing assessment
2   Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial

Ongoing assessment
 

Paragraph Structure Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial
Ongoing assessment
 
  Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial
Ongoing assessment
3 Careers fair Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial

Ongoing assessment
 

Unity coherence paragraph structure Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial
Ongoing assessment
 
  Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial
Ongoing assessment
4 Study goals, education pathway assessment introduced Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial

Ongoing assessment
 

Paraphrasing
Referencing
 
Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial
Ongoing assessment
 
Database research Library task Investigate current legal issues
Tutorial
Ongoing assessment
5   read, notetaking strategies
Synthesis

Summarising

Essay skills Collaborative project

Exposition essay Assessment task intro
 

     
6   read, notetaking strategies
Brainstorm

 

Individual essay topic
 

  Formatting Research

Referencing

 

 
7 Study goals, education pathway assessment due   Essay Plan submitted   Research
Referencing
 
8  
 
essay Draft
Proofreading
  Research
Referencing
 
9   read, notetaking strategies
Brainstorm
submit
Exposition Essay
Literature Review introduced
 
  Justice Journal assessment due  
10   read, notetaking strategies
Brainstorm
Literature review   Research
Referencing
 
11     Literature review assessment

Oral presentation

Prep

Research
Referencing
Legal System Researh Report
12   read, notetaking strategies
Brainstorm
Argumentative essay skillsassessment task introduced
 

Oral presentation

Prep

Research
Referencing
Legal System Researh Report
13   read, notetaking strategies
Brainstorm
Essay skills
Brainstorm
 
Oral Presentation assessment Research
Referencing
Legal System Researh Report
14     Essay skills
Brainstorm
 
  Legal System Researh Report Legal System Researh Report
15 Exam skills Exam skills Exam skills      
16     Essay due      
17 course feedback course feedback course feedback course feedback course feedback course feedback

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

Teaching Schedule: This course will be delivered weekly. The times will be outlined in the program delivery plans which are updated each week.

Your program is made up of:
• Orientation
• Learning activities
• Mid semester review
• Guest speakers
• Exit review

All students will be inducted. The induction includes
• Program Guide & Student Diary
• Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Explore RMIT ( an orientation to the university and its services)
• Orientation to RMIT Libraries (library tour & on line catalogue introduction)
• RMIT Online Systems Information Session

Library Orientation & an RMIT Online Systems Information Session will be scheduled during the first two weeks of your program. Information about student services, rights and responsibilities is contained in your student diary.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Other Resources
There are no set texts in this course, but it is recommended that you bring:

• English-English dictionary (we ask that you do not use a translation dictionary)
• Thesaurus
• Display folder with plastic sleeves
• Highlighter pens
• Notebook or loose leaf paper
• Headphones (use your own or they can be purchased from the Carlton Library very cheaply)
• USB (Memory stick)


 


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.

 

This unit is clustered with  VBQM481 The Legal System and covers in part the reading and writing macro skills addressed in the whole certificate

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 coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more
An assessment charter http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc


 


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 both in and out of class.
Assessment is ongoing and its purpose is to develop your skills. You will be given assistance in redrafting and editing written assessment tasks because developing your ability to identify and correct your own mistakes 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.

Assessment tasks:

Summative assessments:

Research for:

Academic Essay Exposition
Academic essay: Argumentative

Literature Review
Reflective Journal
Short answer questions (Exam techniques)
 

Formative assessments: ongoing observations, summaries and review of student work


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 student co-ordinator. An assessment matrix will be available on myRMIT.

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview