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Unit outline_

INFS1020: Working in Digital Ecosystems

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Digital ecosystems (such as social media, blockchain, technology platforms, artificial intelligence, big data, people analytics, and cybersecurity) fundamentally change the way we collect and present ideas, communicate, and work together. In this unit, students are introduced to various digital ecosystems and their implications for how work is done. Students learn about how employers recruit graduates online, what it is like to join and work in a modern, digital workplace, and the tensions that arise when traditional, structured workplaces are transformed through digital, flexible, and networked ways of working. Students engage in hands-on activities to acquire skills for how to present themselves effectively and professionally online (personal branding), how to communicate in digital channels in an organisational context (professional communication), how to effectively search for and work with digital information (data literacy), and how to digitally coordinate work in teams.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Business Information Systems
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

INFS1000 or INFO1000 or INFO1003 or INFO1903

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Blair Wang, blair.wang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home extended release) Type E final exam Final exam
Written essay - 1000 words
50% Formal exam period 48 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Individual assignment
Written report and video presentation
20% Week 06
Due date: 06 Sep 2022 at 23:59
Report (500 words), Pres (3 minutes)
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Assignment group assignment Group report
Written report and video presentation
30% Week 11
Due date: 18 Oct 2022 at 23:59
Report (3000 words), pres (10 minutes)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type E final exam = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

 

  • Individual assignment: The topic for this assessment will be provided by the lecturer and discussed in class.
  • Group report: The topic for this assessment will be provided by the lecturer and discussed in class.
  • Final exam: This exam will assess your knowledge and abilities gained in all parts of the unit.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Mid-semester break Break Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 01 Introduction and administration Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Digital literacy 1 - Literacy and knowledge Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03 Digital literacy 2 - Research and search Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 04 Social media 1 - Profile building Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Social media 2 - Implications for business and society Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Digital skills 1 - Agile and lean methods Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Digital skills 2 - Digital productivity Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 08 Digital organising 1 - Artificial Intelligence Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 09 Digital organizing 2 - AI ethics and cybersecurity Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 10 Digital Platforms 1 - Blockchain Foundations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 11 Digital Platforms 2 - Blockchain Implications for Business and Society Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 12 Digital Ecosystems Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 13 Unit review and exam preparation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Students will not be required to purchase or otherwise acquire any textbook for this unit. Readings for this unit will consist of other materials including students' own research. More information will be communicated during the semester.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand how digital technology changes work environments and how work is organised
  • LO2. demonstrate critical discernment of popular claims about the future of work and the role of technology in this transformation process
  • LO3. communicate ideas effectively using digital online technology and audiovisual elements
  • LO4. make judgements about the effective use of digital technologies for purposes of self-presentation online
  • LO5. appreciate the complexities of working with others effectively in a digital work environment.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Teaching materials and activities have been incrementally enhanced to stay up-to-date with industry developments and changing global business environments. More information will be communicated during the semester.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.