ITEC615 - Fundamentals of Information Technology

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Teaching organisation

150 hours over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period

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. Students will also learn how to use IT to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of resource use such as 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 demonstrate how they interact with each other (GA5, GA8)

LO2 - Construct and evaluate digital logic components and processes using LogiSim simulator (GA5, GA7)

LO3 - Design cloud-based solutions and services by utilising the knowledge of networking models and the underlying concepts of cloud computing (GA5, GA10)

LO4 - Apply principles underlying the security, ethical aspects, and stewardship of resources 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 covered:

• Introduction to PC Hardware
• Advanced Computer Hardware
• Data representation
• Number System
• Operating system concepts (Multimode only)
• Networking Concepts
• Applied Networking
• Azure Fundamentals
• Laptop and Other Devices
• Virtualisation and Cloud Computing
• Computer Security (Multimode only)
• Impacts of IT: a case study on digital health (Multimode only)

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Multimode

This unit will be delivered in multimode over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period. Students will have access to all primary learning materials online, along with formative and summative assessments, all of which will be available online, to provide a learning experience beyond the classroom. While there are no formal classroom lectures for this unit, students will be required to attend weekly three-hour workshops, which will include a seminar and specific tasks related to achievement of the unit learning outcomes. Workshops facilitate learning by doing, which is particularly effective for information technology units as technical skills can be better learned through hands on practices.

ACU Online

This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in the exploration of knowledge essential to the discipline. Students are provided with choice and variety in how they learn. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning in situations similar to their future professions. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.

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 provides students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge and gain practical skills. The second assessment provides opportunities for students to understand core concepts of digital logics through a game design using logic circuits. The final assessment will develop students’ knowledge and skills on general technology concepts, including concepts of networking, storage, compute, application support, and application development.

To pass this unit, students must demonstrate competence in all learning outcomes and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Marking will be in accordance with a rubric specifically developed to measure students’ level of achievement of the learning outcomes for each item of assessment. Students will be awarded a final grade which signifies their overall achievement in the unit.

Overview of assessments

Multimode;

Online

Representative texts and references

Blundell B. G, Khan N, Lasebae A, Jabbar M, 2007, Computer Systems and Networks, Cernage Learning EMEA, ISBN: 9781844806393.

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

Rountree D & Castrillo I 2013, The Basics of Cloud Computing Understanding the Fundamentals of Cloud Computing in Theory and Practice. Elsevier Science, Burlington.