ITED201 - Fundamentals of Information Technology

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Nil

Incompatible

ITEC201 Fundamentals of Information Technology , ISYS201 - Information Technology Infrastructure

Unit rationale, description and aim

This foundation level unit introduces the basic knowledge and techniques needed to use computer systems effectively. It covers the Information Technology architectural building blocks which include hardware, software and network facilities that are necessary to deliver seamless and ethically informed Information technology services. These building blocks are crucial for students to grasp the knowledge and technical skills in other IT units.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with the fundamental understanding of Information Technology capabilities and the knowledge and skills they need to plan, design or manage Information Technology solutions using the Azure platform. Students will also learn how to use IT to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of resource use including natural, human and financial resources.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Identify common computer hardware and software elements and understand how they interact with each other (GA5, GA10)

LO2 - Demonstrate how to operate digital information and construct and evaluate digital logic components and processes in collaboration with peers (GA5, GA7)

LO3 - Demonstrate knowledge on cloud computing and how to design cloud-based solutions and services in the Azure platform (GA5, GA8)

LO4 - apply principles underlying social, environmental and ethical aspects in designing IT solutions for an organisation (GA3, GA5).

Graduate attributes

GA3 - apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively 

GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

GA10 - utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively.

Content

Topics will include:

• Introduction to computer systems 
• Data representation
• Digital logic operations
• Operating systems
• Number system
• Memory and storage organisation
• Computer networks and applications
• Ethical Issues
• Social and environmental Impacts of IT
• Azure Fundamentals.

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Mode of delivery: This unit is offered mainly in ‘Attendance mode’ with aspects of ‘Multi-mode’ incorporated into the delivery to maximise the learning support offered to students. Students will be required to attend face-to-face workshops in specific physical location/s (including supervised lab practical sessions) and have face-to-face interactions with teaching staff to further their achievement of the learning outcomes. This unit is also structured with some required upfront preparation before workshops – learning materials and tasks set via online learning platforms. This will provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for students to prepare and revise.

Further to this, to ensure students are ready to transition from the Diploma and articulate into the second year of undergraduate study, transition pedagogies will be incorporated into the unit as the key point of differentiation from the standard unit. This focuses on an active and engaging approach to learning and teaching practices, and a scaffolded approach to the delivery of curriculum to enhance student learning in a supportive environment. This will ensure that students develop foundation level discipline-based knowledge, skills and attributes, and simultaneously the academic competencies required of students to succeed in this unit.

Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings, online forum participation, and assessment preparation.

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. The first assessment task provides opportunities for students to apply their theoretical knowledge in solving problems in the environment. The purpose of this assessment is to guide students to build essential skills required to solve critical problems. The second assessment is an opportunity to assess students’ understanding of digital logic operations. The final assessment consists of two parts, an MS Certification exam and a problem-solving case study. 

Strategies aligned with transition pedagogies will be utilised to facilitate successful completion of the unit assessment tasks. For each assessment, there will be the incorporation of developmentally staged tasks with a focus on a progressive approach to learning. This will be achieved through activities, including regular feedback, particularly early in the unit of study to support their learning; strategies to develop and understand discipline-specific concepts and terminology; in-class practice tasks with integrated feedback; and greater peer-to-peer collaboration. 

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Required online resources

Azure Fundamentals part 1: Describe core Azure concepts

Azure Fundamentals part 2: Describe core Azure services

Azure Fundamentals part 3: Describe core solutions and management tools on Azure

Azure Fundamentals part 4: Describe general security and network security features

Azure Fundamentals part 5: Describe identity, governance, privacy, and compliance features

Azure Fundamentals part 6: Describe Azure cost management and service level agreements

Recommended references

Blundell BG, Khan N, Lasebae A, Jabbar M 2007, Computer Systems and Networks, Cengage Learning EMEA, UK.

Gray H, Issa T, Pye G, Troshani I, Rainer RK, Prince B & Watson HJ 2015, Management Information Systems, 1st Australasian edn, John Wiley and Sons Australia Ltd, Australia.

Kurose JF & Ross KW 2016, Computer Networking A Top-Down Approach, 7th edn, Addison Wesley, New Jersey.

White, C 2016, Data communications and computer networks: A business user's approach, 8th edn, Course Technology, Boston, MA.