Course Title: Conduct online research for further study

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: GEDU5955

Course Title: Conduct online research for further study

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4327 - Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation

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

Tim Morris 51.2.0 tim.morris@rmit.edu.au

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

Melanie Reynolds 51.2.0 melanie.reynolds@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

Course Description

 This course will be delivered online. By studying this course online 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 VU20761 (GEDU5949) Prepare for Tertiary Reading & Writing.
 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU20764 Conduct online research for further study

Element:

1. Prepare for online research

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Access online web search tutoiral to gather effective search acitivities

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 ananlysis 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 competency will be delivered online.

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 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

 

Course Dates: 6 July - 30 October

 

Mid Semester Break: Monday 31 August – Friday 4 September

Melbourne Cup public holiday: Tuesday 3 November
 

This competency will be delivered online.


This unit of competency is taught within an integrated program.This unit is clustered with VU20761 Prepare for tertiary reading and writing (GEDU5949)  which is also delivered online.

 

 The teaching schedules for

Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Elements VU20761
E1
 

VU20764
E1 E2

VU20761
E1
 

VU20764
E1 E2

VU20761
E1
 

VU20764
E 1 E2 E3
VU20761
E1 E4
 

VU20764
E 1 E2 E3

VU20761
E1 E4
 

VU20764
E 1 E2 E3

VU20761
E1 E2 E4
 

VU20764
E 1 E2 E3

VU20761
E1 E2 E3 E4
 

 
Activities  Welcome Announcement

Teacher Introduction

Student Introduction

Unit Information and Assessment Guide

Privacy and Social Media Guidelines (Induction Booklet & Quiz)

Efficient reading strategies- skim & scan (Learning Lab)

Reading, scanning and comprehension
- text with questions and writing a paragraph

Diagnostic listening task – energy drinks and note taking – Catalyst http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3826162.htm

 

 iSearch Library Research Skills – Search

Skills Focus – Reading, Note taking (Cornell and Nuclear/visual) skills
& summarise -paragraph length
(Learning Lab)

CAPOW Website Evaluation using criteria sheet

 
iSearch Library Orientation (Find)

Skills Focus - Paragraph Writing- topic sentences and linking words(Learning Lab)
http://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/paragraphs

Skills Focus – reading, note taking and summarising (longer text)

Turnitin demo (turnitin.com) & RMIT guidelines
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/it/blackboard/turnitin

 
iSearch Library Orientation (Evaluate)

Determine Reliability of Information (Energy Drinks text 2)

Skills Focus –Paraphrasing - Learning Lab Tutorial

 iSearch Library Orientation (Use)

Skills Focus – Harvard Referencing
Learning Lab Tutorial Referencing

Set up Assessment Task 2 Annotated bibliography

Checkpoint 1 - Annotated Bibliography Part 1
Annotated bibliography models & structure (descriptive and evaluative writing).

Task – Write practise Annotation with reference eg. Monkey Hearts or toxic sugar

 Checkpoint 2:
Annotated bibliography topic focus and research.

Skills Focus - Mind mapping tutorial
http://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/mind-mapping

Topic focus and research
Skills Focus – using Databases (review RMIT Library iSearch)

CAPOW note taking template

 Checkpoint 3:
List Relevant academic texts in Harvard Reference Style

Learning Lab Tutorial - Academic Writing Style
http://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/content/academic-style

Draft two annotations for Annotated Bibliography

 No class this week for this cluster
Assessments                
Week 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Elements

VU20764
E1 E 2 E3
VU20761
E1 E 2 E3 E4
 

 VU20764
E1 E 2 E3

VU20761
E1 E 2 E3 E4
 
VU20764
E1 E 2 E3
VU20761
E1 E 2 E3 E4
VU20764
E1 E 2 E3
VU20761
E1 E 2 E3 E4
VU20764
E1 E 2 E3
VU20761
E1 E 2 E3 E4
VU20764
E1 E 2 E3
VU20761
E1 E 2 E3 E4
VU20764
E1 E 2 E3
VU20761
E1 E 2 E3 E4
 
Activities    Compare text types (essays/reports/reflective writing)

Report structure
Set up and analyse

Assessment Task 6
Identify topic for academic report

Skill review: reporting verbs, integrating references, paraphrasing & synthesizing

 Assessment Academic Report

Checkpoint 2:
Research Report topic focus and research

Learning Lab Tutorial Report Writing

Skills Focus – Academic Reading and synthesising ( longer texts)

Research Report structure and models

 Skills Focus - Academic Language/reading and interpreting graphs, charts and tables

Checkpoint
List: 3 Relevant academic texts in Harvard Reference Style
Record method and process for collecting and recording information (Reference Manager) (CAPOW)

Checkpoint 4– Write Introduction

 Write Findings section, Discussion and Interpretation of Graph

Graph Tutorial

 Abstract Unscramble activity

Checkpoint 5: Draft ready for Self editing and peer editing.
Checkpoint
List:

 Model Report find errors, fill in blanks,

Research Report editing checklist

Teacher to give feedback through Turnitin

 
Assessments  Assessment Task 3 Annotated Bibliography due – submit via Turnitin              Academic Report Assessment Task due

 

 


 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

This course is delivered online using Blackboard. you can access this through your MyRMIT, MyStudies. At the induction session on the frist day of your program you will be given guidelines on using the system

Information technology needs see link and online learning tools also available at:
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=hi8nszlw2pr
 

TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT
There are no set texts in this course, but it is recommended that you have
• Headphones and microphone capability on your device
• 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.

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 policy summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your courses assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures see http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment
 


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).

Assessment tasks:

Assessment Task 3 Annotated Bibliography due – submit via Turnitin week 9

Assessment Task 6 Academic Report  - submit via Turnitin 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

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. To successfully complete this unit you will need to demonstrate that you are competent in each element of the unit/subject on at least two occasions.


You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or student co-ordinator. An assessment matrix will be available on myRMIT, My Studies (Blackboard)

 

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