Unit rationale, description and aim
This foundation level unit is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of architecture components of IT Infrastructure. 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. This includes ethical considerations such as stewardship responsibilities.
The aim of this unit is to provide students with the fundamental understanding of IT infrastructure capabilities and the knowledge and practical skills they need to plan, design or manage Information Technology solutions.
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.
Demonstrate knowledge on different number systems ...
Learning Outcome 01
Demonstrate how to operate digital information and...
Learning Outcome 02
Design cloud-based solutions by utilising the know...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply principles underlying social, environmental ...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Introduction to computer systems
- Data representation
- Digital logic operations
- Azure Fundamentals
- Number system
- Memory and storage organisation
- Computer networks and applications
- Packet Transmission and Internetworking
- Ethical Issues
- Social and environmental Impacts of IT
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate capabilities 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 is an open book exam which provides students with an opportunity to evaluate their knowledge and skills learned throughout the unit.
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.
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
Assessment Task 1: Lab Assessment This assessmen...
Assessment Task 1: Lab Assessment
This assessment consists of a series of weekly lab exercises that will assist students to transfer their theoretical knowledge to practical skills with the help of lab instructor. The feedback from this assessment will help students be ready to apply the concepts in Assessment Task 2.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Lab Practical task
Artefact: Source Code/Lab report
20%
Assessment Task 2: Logic Implementation The pur...
Assessment Task 2: Logic Implementation
The purpose of this assessment is to assess students’ understanding of number representation. Students will solve a digital logic problem using different logic gates. They will also need to submit a 1500-word report detailing the design process, truth table, inputs and outputs.
Submission Type: Group
Assessment Method: Written report
Artefacts: LogiSim design file, report
30%
Assessment Task 3: Cloud based Solutions Design a...
Assessment Task 3: Cloud based Solutions Design and Case Study
Develop professional skills through the application of theoretical knowledge and understanding of cloud computing platforms and technologies using Azure cloud platform. Students are required to sit for Microsoft Azure fundamentals certification exam and pass the exam to receive Azure fundamentals certification. The assessment task will also test how effectively students can apply social, environmental and ethical requirements in designing IT solutions through a case study.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: MS Certification Exam & Written Report
Artefact: Report (1200 words)
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Students should anticipate undertaking 150 hours of study for this unit over the study period, including, readings, online forum participation and assessment preparation.
Mode of delivery: This unit is offered in different modes to cater to the diverse learning needs and preferences of a range of participants and maximise effective participation for isolated and/or marginalised groups.
This unit will be delivered in multi-mode over a twelve-week semester or equivalent study period. This will provide multiple forms of preparatory and practice opportunities for students to prepare and revise. 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. Students will be required to attend weekly workshops, which will include a seminar and specific tasks related to achievement of the unit learning outcomes.
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.
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.