CYB111 Communication and Collaboration


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 Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:CYB111
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Lesley Irvine | l.irvine@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit examines communication between individuals and teams in academic and professional settings. Through a theory/practice nexus, it aids in developing practical skills needed for effective communication such as giving and receiving feedback, collaborating with others, evaluating messages, presenting material in a professional manner and reflecting on communication experiences. With a focus on intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, this unit strengthens current communication practices in live and mediated settings. Presenting meaningful messages in both small and large groups, working on shared professional documents and reflecting on personal communication skills will provide a strong foundation for future studies and the workplace.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Explain and evaluate the concepts and principles of professional communication in organisational settings
  2. Demonstrate collaborative skills when working in a team to evaluate a communication campaign
  3. Engage in ongoing feedback practices and reflect on the teamwork experience
  4. Apply strategic spoken and written communication skills to create and deliver an oral presentation and a written evaluation report

Content

In this unit, you will consider the role of personal narratives to share ideas and a sense of self. In a safe and supportive manner, you will engage in numerous formative speaking opportunities before recording an oral presentation for assessment. In developing effective communication skills, you will learn about the importance of self-reflection and how to give and receive feedback in a constructive manner. This unit incorporates Indigenous perspectives around respectful storytelling.

With a growing understanding of different communication styles, you will work in teams to evaluate an established public message. Collaborating in both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments, each team will write an evaluation report. The report will include consideration of context, purpose, audience, communication channels, overall message effectiveness and future recommendations.

This unit is designed to support teamwork through connection to relevant theories and scaffolded group activities. The final piece of assessment is an individual teamwork appraisal where you can relate to ideas discussed in this unit, connect to past encounters and offer key learnings from this current experience to inform future ones.

Learning Approaches

This unit is taught using a mix of lectures, online self-learning, case studies and tutorials.

The lectures are designed to explore theoretical concepts and discuss real-world cases of application.

The tutorials are run in an interactive manner to unpack unit content.

Weekly activities are planned to help you reflect on personal communication capabilities, understand different communication styles and work with others to write an evidence-based evaluation report.

A professional approach to teamwork requires engagement in tutorials and contribution to team discussions. Limited engagement in tutorials may compromise your team’s ability to collectively accomplish the allocated tasks. Formative assessment is included to support learning and build presentation skills.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on your performance in this unit will be provided in various ways, including:

  • Oral and written feedback from the unit teaching team for both formative and summative assessment
  • Feedback and support from peers in your tutorials
  • Advice delivered through Canvas communications
  • Criteria sheets and additional task information

Assessment

Overview

There are three assessment items in this unit. The Individual Oral Presentation is focused on a personal narrative and allows you to demonstrate your understanding of structural and language choices suitable for this type of delivery. The Group Evaluation Report is focused on your analysis and evaluation of a communication campaign. The Individual Reflection allows you to evaluate and reflect on your teamwork experience. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Oral Presentation

You will create and deliver an oral presentation in the form of a personal narrative. Your presentation will include structural and language choices suitable for this mode of communication.

Weight: 30
Length: 4-5 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 5
Related Unit learning outcomes: 4

Assessment: Evaluation Report

You will identify a communication campaign addressing a social, health, education or cultural issue. As a team, you will assess the effectiveness of the campaign and justify your evaluation through evidence-based research. Finally, you will provide recommendations based on either campaign improvement or extension.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 1800 words
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Week 10
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Assessment: Reflection

You will write an appraisal reflecting on your experience with Assessment 2. You will relate to theories and concepts discussed in this unit, connect to past teamwork experiences and offer key learnings for the future.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 30
Length: 1000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.

You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.

Resources

Resource materials and set readings will be provided on the Canvas site for this unit.

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required. 

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.

You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

KC40 Bachelor of Communication

  1. Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
    Relates to: ULO1, Evaluation Report
  2. Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
    Relates to: ULO4, Oral Presentation, Evaluation Report
  3. Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
    Relates to: ULO3, Reflection
  4. Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
    Relates to: ULO4, Oral Presentation, Evaluation Report
  5. Identify, develop, and sustain effective and responsible leadership strategies and teamwork skills that generate value for yourself and others.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Evaluation Report, Reflection
  6. Identify, develop, and sustain effective professional networks in the media and communication industries.
    Relates to: ULO1, Evaluation Report