Assessment Details and Submission Guidelines
Unit Code BN201
Unit Title Professional Issues of IT
Assessment Type Assignment 1 (T2 2017)
Assessment Title ICT developments and ethical, social, and legal issues
Purpose of the assessment (with ULO Mapping) The purpose of this assignment is to develop skills in research, critical analysis and academic writing of high standard. On completion of this assignment students will be able to:
a. Identify potential ethical, social, and legal issues resulting from ICT developments.
b. Prepare written and oral presentations on ethical, social, and legal issues pertaining to ICT.
c. Explain ICT solutions so that ethical standards are achieved and maintained and society benefits.
Weight 50 Marks
Total Marks 10% of total assessment for the unit
Word limit 1000-1500 words excluding references and title page
Due Date Lab class week 7
Description of this assignment: This assignment is to develop skills in academic and effective writing particularly in ethics, professional communication research, management or leadership.
Answer ALL four questions and submit on Moodle submission link.
Save your Word file with the following name
“StudentNumber_yourlastname_firstname.doc”
Submission Guidelines • All work must be submitted on Moodle by the due date along with a completed Assignment Cover Page.
• The assignment must be in MS Word format, 1.5 spacing, 11-pt Calibri (Body) font and 2cm margins on all four sides of your page with appropriate section headings.
• Reference sources must be cited in the text of the report, and listed appropriately at the end in a reference list using IEEE referencing style.
Extension • If an extension of time to submit work is required, a Special Consideration Application must be submitted directly to the School's Administration Officer, in Melbourne on Level 6 or in Sydney on Level 7. You must submit this application three working days prior to the due date of the assignment. Further information is available at:
http://www.mit.edu.au/about-mit/institute-publications/policies-procedures-and-guidelines/specialconsiderationdeferment
Academic Misconduct
• Academic Misconduct is a serious offence. Depending on the seriousness of the case, penalties can vary from a written warning or zero marks to exclusion from the course or rescinding the degree. Students should make themselves familiar with the full policy and procedure available at: http://www.mit.edu.au/about-mit/institute-publications/policies-procedures-and-guidelines/Plagiarism-Academic-Misconduct-Policy-Procedure. For further information, please refer to the Academic Integrity Section in your Unit Description.
Assignment Description
Answer ALL four questions
1. Case Study:
An internal website development team wants to perform a usability test on a website using internal and external participants in equal proportions. The ethical issue revolves on whether the consent form designed for external users should also be used for the internals. Some members of the usability team argue that the terms of employment are sufficient to require internals to participate. Others argue that the purpose of ‘consent’ is to ensure that participants understand;
“why they have been invited to participate, what is involved in the participation, what type of data will be collected?, how it will be used, and that the participation is voluntary where participants can cease to participate at any time during research”
(Source: ACS case studies 2004)
Discussion Question
Given that the company paid for usability testing and that the employees have agreed to work for the company based on the terms and conditions specified in their contract, however, are they free to make their own choice to leave the usability test?
Discuss your answer with respect to your ACS values - Enhancement of Quality of Life of those affected by your work and Professionalism.
(10 marks)
2. Case study -Kevin Rudd and the language game
This is an excerpt from former Prime Minister Rudd’s 2008 ‘Sorry’ speech, in which he presented an apology on behalf of the Australian Parliament to the stolen generations of Indigenous Australians:
“I move that today we honour the indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations – this blemished chapter in our nation’s history.
The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry. To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry. And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.
We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation. For the future we take heart, resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written. We today take this step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to the future that embraces all Australians. A future where this parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again. A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, indigenous and non-indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity. A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed. A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility. A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia. There comes a time in the history of nations when their peoples must become fully reconciled to their past if they are to go forward with confidence to embrace their future. Our nation, Australia, has reached such a time. Let us turn this page together: indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, government and opposition, Commonwealth and state, and write this new chapter in our nation’s story together. First Australians, First Fleeters, and those who took the oath of allegiance just a few weeks ago. Let’s grasp this opportunity to craft a new future for this great land: Australia.-
Source: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, MP (2008), ‘Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples’, Speech delivered in Australian Parliament on 13 February 2008.
Discussion Question
Consider the speech as an example of effective persuasion. How does the speaker attempt to win ‘the language game’?
Look at the various linguistic ‘devices’ that he uses and discuss how these help advance the argument he is making, and the emotions.
(10 marks)
3. Describe the term “Procrastination” by using your procrastination experiences as examples.
(5 marks)
4. Write a reflective report on one topic you learnt or discovered through participating in the week 1-3 lectures and lab sessions that involved in some kind of learning or skill development.
Eg Time management, stress management,…
Use the following template to write your answers. In this Template you are required to complete 4 sections as given below.
1. D - Describe experience –
Eg. Write about what happened. Describe the situation (the context)
2. E - Explore or consolidate new learning.
Eg What are the good and the bad aspects of the event /situation.
3. E - Evaluate/analyse/self-reaction
Eg. Can you demonstrate an improved awareness and self-development because of the event/situation?
4. P - Plan future learning.
Eg. What steps are you going to take on the basis of what you have learned?”
(15 Marks)
Description
Week 1-3 Learning
Describe

Explore

Evaluate

Plan


Marking criteria:
Marks are allocated for each part as below
Section to be included in the report Description of the section Marks
Question 1 : Case study
Discuss your answer with respect to your ACS values - Enhancement of Quality of Life of those affected by your work and Professionalism. ( in 5-6 sentences) 10
Question 2 : Case study
Consider the speech as an example of effective persuasion. How does the speaker attempt to win ‘the language game’?
You are required to Identify various linguistic ‘devices’ that he uses and discuss how these help advance the argument he is making, and the emotions.
10
Question 3 Describe the term “Procrastination” by using your procrastination experiences as examples 5
Question 4 Write a reflective report on one topic you learnt or discovered through participating in the week 1-3 lectures and lab sessions that involved in some kind of learning or skill development
15
Reference style Follow IEEE reference style 5
Structure of the report Format of the Report – Structure, Logic, Mechanics 5
Total 50
Marking Rubric for Assignment 1
Criteria High Distinction
80-100% Distinction
70-79% Credit
60-69% Pass
50-60% Fail
50%
Writing Skills of Excellence
Evidence of accurate and well-tuned writing skills.
Broad, systematic and creative research of issues of apparent relevance to the given topic.
Evidence of well- tuned writing
Skills.
Evidence of controlled and systematic research of issues of apparent relevance to the topic.
Evidence of good writing skills.

Demonstrates an attempt to use credible and/or relevant sources to research relevant issues.
Displayed reasonable
writing skills.
Research conducted demonstrates an attempt to use credible and/or relevant sources.
Limited research skills demonstrated and little evidence of understanding the topic.
Unable to demonstrate ability to write on relevant issues and topic.
Reference style / Acknowledging resources
Wide range of sources accurately referenced. Good range of sources with minor
referencing errors. Reasonable range of sources with some
referencing errors. Limited resources with a number of
referencing errors Major errors in referencing.
Analysis
Excellent ability to
evaluate arguments and to formulate and express very sound conclusions. Good demonstration of the capacity to
critically analyse
Information, formulate own conclusions and express own ideas. Reasonable analysis of information. Able
to draw warranted
Conclusions and generalizations and demonstrate some original thought. Limited ability to interpret information,
Conclusions need improvement and need to express own ideas. No critical analysis of information, poor
conclusions and no
original thought.
Synthesis
• Structure
• Logic
• Mechanics
Well-constructed assignment:
appropriate, clear,
and smooth transitions; arrangement of organizational elements seems particularly apt; uses sophisticated wording in sentences Well written and presented
assignment: distinct
units of thought in paragraphs; clear transitions between developed, coherent and logically arranged paragraphs; a few mechanical difficulties or Reasonably written and presented; some brief, weakly unified or undeveloped paragraphs. more Not consistently or logically structured:
narrates; digresses
from one topic to another; awkward use of words, numerous errors in style & presentation including spelling punctuation and grammar. Not comfortable with a Simplistic, tends to narrate or merely
summarize.
Illogical arrangement of ideas & some major grammatical or proofreading errors.
Language frequently weakened by clichés and colloquialisms.