IAB260 Social Technologies
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | IAB260 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $5,640 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | IAB260 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Kenan Degirmenci | kenan.degirmenci@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit introduces the theoretical foundations and practical applications of social technologies, with a focus on online networks and digital communities. You will begin by analysing the structure and dynamics of social networks to understand how people connect, influence each other, and form communities in digital spaces. Using real-world data, you will learn to identify patterns, relationships, and key actors that shape online interactions. Building on these insights, the unit then shifts to designing and developing effective online communities. You will examine the critical design, behavioural, and structural features that underpin successful digital communities and learn how to apply them in practice. As social technologies become increasingly embedded in business models and the broader digital economy, this unit equips you with the skills to evaluate and build social platforms that foster meaningful engagement and purpose-driven participation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply analytical and critical thinking skills to understand the way people experience social technologies, including how people construct personal and professional online identities.
- Assess and critically reflect on social technologies and their applications to create business value.
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of issues and topics related to social technologies and deep knowledge of one or more specific topics.
- Apply verbal, written and visual communication skills that effectively convey information in social media contexts demonstrating initiative, autonomy and responsibility for continuous learning, working independently and collaboratively.
- Critically reflect on social and ethical issues using social technologies, including how they relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Content
This unit examines how digital communities function by analysing both the structure of online social networks and the design features that contribute to their success. You will engage with methods for analysing digital communities, including social network analysis, to uncover patterns of interaction, influence, and community formation. Real-world examples will be used to illustrate how these insights can inform the design and development of purpose-driven online communities. In addition, you will explore theoretical perspectives on online community dynamics and consider their practical implications for community designers seeking to foster engagement, inclusion, and resilience.
Learning Approaches
The unit's teaching and learning strategies are designed to encourage you to develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills. Lectures, tutorials, online learning resources and readings introduce concepts and stimulate your thinking concerning principles, philosophy and theory. Activities and assessment are designed to foster critical engagement with unit content and opportunities to explore the practical applications of theory.
The unit design is based on the concept of a community of learners. Emphasis is placed on group discussion so you can explore and share key ideas. You are expected to participate in the learning experience by attending all classes and engaging with your peers. The unit site is the hub for learning and the primary tool for information exchange.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Tutorials are designed to be engaging, with tutors providing ongoing feedback on tutorials and assessment pieces.
- Consultation times can be booked with members of the teaching team throughout the teaching period.
- Individualised written feedback will be provided on marked assessments.
- Feedback will also be provided to the cohort based on common areas for improvements identified throughout the tutorials.
Assessment
Overview
You will begin by analysing real-world social networks to uncover patterns of interaction and influence, and provide evidence-based recommendations to improve digital community engagement. Building on these insights, you will then design and present your own online community, addressing user-centric design challenges and applying principles that support meaningful participation and long-term success.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Social Network Analysis
Collect user-generated data to analyse the structure and dynamics of a social network.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Digital Community Development
You will identify, analyse, and critically discuss an opportunity related to the use of digital communities and social technologies. You will present your work as a demonstration accompanied by a curated set of resources (e.g., storyboard, prototype, use case scenario) related to the topic.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Learning materials for this unit are available in your Canvas site. There are no other extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Kraut, R. E. (2011). Building successful online communities : evidence-based social design. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.DS01 Bachelor of Data Science
- Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of the principles, concepts and techniques of the data science discipline, with depth of knowledge in at least one area developed through a major.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Use appropriate statistical, computational, modelling, data management, programming and generative artificial intelligence techniques to develop solutions for deriving insights from data.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as adaptivity in applying learned techniques in new and unfamiliar contexts.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Work effectively both independently and collaboratively in diverse and interdisciplinary teams.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Communicate effectively in a variety of modes, to expert and non-expert audiences, including in a professional context.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Apply awareness of the relevant social and ethical frameworks, including Australian indigenous perspectives, concerning the collection, storage and use of data in informing decision-making.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development
IN01 Bachelor of Information Technology
- Demonstrate a broad theoretical and technical knowledge of well-established and emerging IT disciplines, with in-depth knowledge in at least one specialist area aligned to multiple ICT professional roles.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Critically analyse and conceptualise complex IT challenges and opportunities using modelling, abstraction, ideation and problem-solving to generate, evaluate and justify recommended solutions.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO5, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Integrate and apply technical knowledge and skills to analyse, design, build, operate and maintain sustainable, secure IT systems using industry-standard tools, technologies, platforms, and processes.
Relates to: ULO3, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Demonstrate an understanding of the role of IT in enabling business outcomes and how business realities shape IT decisions.
Relates to: ULO2, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Demonstrate initiative, autonomy and personal responsibility for continuous learning, working both independently and collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams, employing state-of-the-art IT project management methodologies to plan and manage time, resources, and risk.
Relates to: ULO4, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Communicate professionally and effectively in written, verbal and visual formats to a diverse range of stakeholders, considering the audience and explaining complex ideas in a simple and understandable manner in a range of IT-related contexts.
Relates to: ULO4, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Critically reflect, using a human-centric approach, on the social, cultural, ethical, privacy, legal, sustainability, and accessibility issues shaping the development and use of IT, including respecting the perspectives and knowledge systems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ensuring IT solutions empower and support people with disabilities, and fostering inclusive and equitable digital technologies that serve diverse communities.
Relates to: ULO5, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development
IN05 Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of games and interactive environments principles and theory, with an in-depth knowledge of one games-related discipline.
Relates to: ULO3, Social Network Analysis - Apply creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate solutions to design challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Communicate complex concepts at all stages of the development cycle to specialist and non-specialist audiences in written, oral and interactive visual formats.
Relates to: ULO4, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Critically reflect on social, ethical, cultural, legal and accessibility issues in the context of games and interactive environments, including as they relate to First Nations Australians.
Relates to: ULO2, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Evidence the development of your learning, professional capabilities and skills through creating a curated portfolio of work.
Relates to: ULO4, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Online
| Unit code: | IAB260 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This unit introduces the theoretical foundations and practical applications of social technologies, with a focus on online networks and digital communities. You will begin by analysing the structure and dynamics of social networks to understand how people connect, influence each other, and form communities in digital spaces. Using real-world data, you will learn to identify patterns, relationships, and key actors that shape online interactions. Building on these insights, the unit then shifts to designing and developing effective online communities. You will examine the critical design, behavioural, and structural features that underpin successful digital communities and learn how to apply them in practice. As social technologies become increasingly embedded in business models and the broader digital economy, this unit equips you with the skills to evaluate and build social platforms that foster meaningful engagement and purpose-driven participation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply analytical and critical thinking skills to understand the way people experience social technologies, including how people construct personal and professional online identities.
- Assess and critically reflect on social technologies and their applications to create business value.
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of issues and topics related to social technologies and deep knowledge of one or more specific topics.
- Apply verbal, written and visual communication skills that effectively convey information in social media contexts demonstrating initiative, autonomy and responsibility for continuous learning, working independently and collaboratively.
- Critically reflect on social and ethical issues using social technologies, including how they relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Content
This unit examines how digital communities function by analysing both the structure of online social networks and the design features that contribute to their success. You will engage with methods for analysing digital communities, including social network analysis, to uncover patterns of interaction, influence, and community formation. Real-world examples will be used to illustrate how these insights can inform the design and development of purpose-driven online communities. In addition, you will explore theoretical perspectives on online community dynamics and consider their practical implications for community designers seeking to foster engagement, inclusion, and resilience.
Learning Approaches
The unit's teaching and learning strategies are designed to encourage you to develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills. Lectures, tutorials, online learning resources and readings introduce concepts and stimulate your thinking concerning principles, philosophy and theory. Activities and assessment are designed to foster critical engagement with unit content and opportunities to explore the practical applications of theory.
The unit design is based on the concept of a community of learners. Emphasis is placed on group discussion so you can explore and share key ideas. You are expected to participate in the learning experience by attending all classes and engaging with your peers. The unit site is the hub for learning and the primary tool for information exchange.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Tutorials are designed to be engaging, with tutors providing ongoing feedback on tutorials and assessment pieces.
- Consultation times can be booked with members of the teaching team throughout the teaching period.
- Individualised written feedback will be provided on marked assessments.
- Feedback will also be provided to the cohort based on common areas for improvements identified throughout the tutorials.
Assessment
Overview
You will begin by analysing real-world social networks to uncover patterns of interaction and influence, and provide evidence-based recommendations to improve digital community engagement. Building on these insights, you will then design and present your own online community, addressing user-centric design challenges and applying principles that support meaningful participation and long-term success.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Social Network Analysis
Collect user-generated data to analyse the structure and dynamics of a social network.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Digital Community Development
You will identify, analyse, and critically discuss an opportunity related to the use of digital communities and social technologies. You will present your work as a demonstration accompanied by a curated set of resources (e.g., storyboard, prototype, use case scenario) related to the topic.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Learning materials for this unit are available in your Canvas site. There are no other extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Kraut, R. E. (2011). Building successful online communities : evidence-based social design. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.DS01 Bachelor of Data Science
- Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of the principles, concepts and techniques of the data science discipline, with depth of knowledge in at least one area developed through a major.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Use appropriate statistical, computational, modelling, data management, programming and generative artificial intelligence techniques to develop solutions for deriving insights from data.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as adaptivity in applying learned techniques in new and unfamiliar contexts.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Work effectively both independently and collaboratively in diverse and interdisciplinary teams.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Communicate effectively in a variety of modes, to expert and non-expert audiences, including in a professional context.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Apply awareness of the relevant social and ethical frameworks, including Australian indigenous perspectives, concerning the collection, storage and use of data in informing decision-making.
Relates to: Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development
IN01 Bachelor of Information Technology
- Demonstrate a broad theoretical and technical knowledge of well-established and emerging IT disciplines, with in-depth knowledge in at least one specialist area aligned to multiple ICT professional roles.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Critically analyse and conceptualise complex IT challenges and opportunities using modelling, abstraction, ideation and problem-solving to generate, evaluate and justify recommended solutions.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO5, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Integrate and apply technical knowledge and skills to analyse, design, build, operate and maintain sustainable, secure IT systems using industry-standard tools, technologies, platforms, and processes.
Relates to: ULO3, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Demonstrate an understanding of the role of IT in enabling business outcomes and how business realities shape IT decisions.
Relates to: ULO2, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Demonstrate initiative, autonomy and personal responsibility for continuous learning, working both independently and collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams, employing state-of-the-art IT project management methodologies to plan and manage time, resources, and risk.
Relates to: ULO4, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Communicate professionally and effectively in written, verbal and visual formats to a diverse range of stakeholders, considering the audience and explaining complex ideas in a simple and understandable manner in a range of IT-related contexts.
Relates to: ULO4, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Critically reflect, using a human-centric approach, on the social, cultural, ethical, privacy, legal, sustainability, and accessibility issues shaping the development and use of IT, including respecting the perspectives and knowledge systems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ensuring IT solutions empower and support people with disabilities, and fostering inclusive and equitable digital technologies that serve diverse communities.
Relates to: ULO5, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development
IN05 Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of games and interactive environments principles and theory, with an in-depth knowledge of one games-related discipline.
Relates to: ULO3, Social Network Analysis - Apply creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate solutions to design challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Communicate complex concepts at all stages of the development cycle to specialist and non-specialist audiences in written, oral and interactive visual formats.
Relates to: ULO4, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Critically reflect on social, ethical, cultural, legal and accessibility issues in the context of games and interactive environments, including as they relate to First Nations Australians.
Relates to: ULO2, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development - Evidence the development of your learning, professional capabilities and skills through creating a curated portfolio of work.
Relates to: ULO4, Social Network Analysis, Digital Community Development