Course Title: Conduct online research for further study

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2020

Course Code: GEDU6095

Course Title: Conduct online research for further study

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4386 - Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation

Course Contact: Jane Collins

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4488

Course Contact Email: jane.collins@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

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 databasesrelevant 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 help you develop 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 analysis and interpretation 

  

   

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 delivered face-to-face.   

The content of this course below is contextualised according to the stream: Science, Business, Legal and Engineering  

 Course Dates:  Semester 2

Monday 6 July – Friday 6 November

Mid-semester break 31 Aug-4 Sept

 Business/Legal/Engineering/Science Teaching Schedule 

Week	VU21865 Prepare for tertiary reading and writing  VU21868 Conduct online research	VU21865	VU21868
1	Overview of Cluster 1: Prepare for Tertiary Reading and Writing/Conduct online research for further study What are the strategies/techniques? RMIT Learning Lab tutorial Review/practice reading, scanning and comprehension using essay reading text Note taking styles	E1	E1 E2 E3
2	Paragraph structure & Essay structure TEEL structure and how to make paragraphs coherent by using linking words/phrases Essay structure and samples Introduce AT#1 Essay Topic focus Read Article for Essay Evaluate text CRAAP Table	E1	E1 E2 E3
3	Paraphrasing Notetaking What is paraphrasing? What are the steps for paraphrasing What are in text citations (references) and how do you include those in a paraphrase? Essay plan started	E1 E3	E1 E2
4	Synthesising  Find one more article on your topic Evaluate text CRAAP Table Notetaking Introduction of Synthesis Practice synthesizing and in text citations Write practice synthesis paragraph	E1 E3	E 1 E2
5	Essay planning   Essay Planning – record on Appendix 3 Essay Draft	E1 E2 E3 E4	E1 E2 E3
6	Essay Editing & Referencing Draft Essay (Part 4) - teacher feedback on draft essay Use editing checklist (Appendix 4) to proofread essay	E1 E3 E4	E 1 E2 E3
7	Annotations, Mind-mapping & Keyword searches   Start Assessment Task 2: Annotated bibliography  Topic focus/mind mapping for Annotated Bibliography topic Demonstrate database research on RMIT Library – Subject Guides/ Do quiz Conduct online research What is an annotated bibliography? Annotated Bibliography structure  CRAAP evaluating resources activity Write practice annotation/s in class - teacher feedback in class	E1 E2 E3 E4	E 1 E2 E3
8	Annotations and Evaluating Research   Write a practice annotation with Harvard reference Complete CRAAP and write 1 - 2 x draft annotation/s for your own text/s & receive teacher feedback	E1 E2 E3 E4	E 1 E2 E3
9	Analyzing sample Annotated Bibliography Analyse sample annotations and full model Annotated Bibliographies Teacher gives feedback on Draft Annotated Bibliography	E 1 E2 E3 E4	E1 E2 E3
10	Assessment Task 2: Annotated Bibliography FINAL by Sunday Week 10Start Assessment Task 3: Academic Report     Report Writing Report Writing Sections of a report  Analyse sample Academic Reports Turn topic into a question Explain Structure & Language document Write draft Introduction/Thesis statement in class Academic Writing Style – RMIT Learning Lab Review reporting verbs	E1 E3	E1 E2 E3
11	Academic Report   Continue to work on Assessment Task 3: Academic Report Topic focus and research Report structure and language activities Choose new relevant academic texts: use appropriate Reference Style & record in CRAAP table Review Reporting verbs Review features of report Write draft Findings in class and finish for Directed Study	E1 E 2 E3 E4	E1 E 2 E3
12	Interpreting Graphs Interpreting, describing trends and labelling graphs/diagrams Continue drafting Academic Report Review features/structure of  Discussion section of report Start draft Discussion in class	E1 E 2 E3 E4	E1 E 2 E3
13	Academic Report Analyse sample Academic Reports – S or NYS Discussion section Paraphrasing/Synthesizing	E1 E 2 E3 E4	E1 E 2 E3
14	diting & proof reading  Review integrating references and using reporting verbs – complete practice activities/samples Finalize full draft report Teacher feedback on draft reports  Assessment Task 3: Academic Report DRAFT due Sunday Week 14	E1 E 2 E3 E4	E1 E 2 E3
15	Redrafting Academic Report    Editing and proofreading of Academic Report – use rubric to guide with proofreading and editing  report.  Review integrate in text citations using suitable reporting verbs. Teacher feedback on draft reports	E1 E 2 E3 E4	E1 E 2 E3
16	Academic Report   Support with Academic Report re-submission (if applicable)	E1 E 2 E3 E4	E1 E 2 E3
17	Finalise assessments assessment and results; assessment re-sits

 

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

This competency will have blended delivery: online using Canvas and face to face.  At the induction session in the first week of your program you will be given guidelines on using Canvas. 

Additional information about using Canvas 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:

Laptop computer 

Headphones 

USB (Memory stick) 

binder book/writing paper

stationery

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 and deadlines will also be clearly explained. 

  

All assessment must be submitted through Canvas. 

Summative Assessments: Business/Legal/Engineering/Science 

Assessment Task 1: Short Essay (Science, Business and Legal) (due Week 7) 

Read an academic texts and write a cohesive short essay following planning and essay structure.    

Assessment Task 2: Annotated Bibliography  (draft due Week 8 and final due Week 10) 

Research, read and critically analyse academic texts and complete an annotated bibliography or your business documents.  

Assessment Task 3: Academic Report (draft due Week 14 and final due Week 16) 

Research, read and critically analyse a topic and write a cohesive report. 

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.  To be deemed Competent in this cluster of units, you need to satisfactorily complete all of the assessment tasks.

You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or program coordinator. An assessment delivery plan will be available on Canvas. 

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 may also be asked to attend mid-semester and end of semester interviews with relevant teachers and Program Coordinator. 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