Communicating in an IT Environment

Assignment - Concept mapping and critique

Related objectives from the Unit Outline

1. identify a variety of information sources;

2. demonstrate skills in the location and selection of information and information resources;

3. demonstrate skills in the written, visual and oral presentation of information;

4. describe the processes involved in the production and communication of information.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Describe and demonstrate an understanding of concept mapping as an organisational and thinking tool.
• Demonstrate and improve summary writing.
• Develop critical thinking and analysis skills.
• Describe and analyse current trends on the Internet.

Assignment 1 topic - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

You have just been employed as a junior consultant in an IT consultancy. Your boss, the owner of the company, has just completed a master's degree at ECU so therefore understands the value that solid research adds to his consultancy. The commercial (or non-military) use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV, also known as drones) has many possible applications across many different industries. Your boss wants you to choose and investigate one particular industry, because you will be part of a team providing your boss with a comprehensive overview of the business potential of UAV.

The IT consultancy wishes to position itself in Perth as the lead service provider to companies who want to use UAV as a business solution. Your boss sees UAV as the next big disruptive technology that can be used to gain a competitive advantage. Your boss believes that although UAV technologies have been available for some time, many businesses are unsure of how to take advantage of them. However, there are other areas that must first be addressed such as training client companies to use UAV competently as licensed operators, legal & safety issues, privacy & security issues, potential public relations issues (UAV have been used for some time by the military), and other ethical issues related to using UAV.

Your boss has requested that you do some research on this and produce a concept map that comprehensively covers all aspects (both social and technological) of the business environment in which companies will operate their UAV solution. You should also highlight the potential advantages and disadvantages to your company and your clients of adopting UAV as a solution.

The use of UAV has many possible applications across many different industries. Your boss wants you to investigate one particular industry, because you will be part of a team providing your boss with a comprehensive overview of UAV business potential.

Assignment Requirements

For Assignment 1a, you will need to submit:

1. 1 concept map;

2. a critique of concept mapping (500 words).

This has to be submitted as a single Word document.

The Concept map should demonstrate your understanding of the full nature of the topic and should show full expansion of the topic. You may use concept mapping software such as FreeMind or the drawing facilities within word-processing software such as MS Word.
The Critique (500 words) should contain:

1. a description of concept mapping;

2. why we use concept mapping as a thinking and organisational tool;

3. the strengths and weaknesses of concept mapping;

4. a description of your experiences using concept mapping during this task; i.e. how has concept mapping helped you understand and organise your research topic?

Please refer to the marking key for this assignment as it shows how marks will be earned.Concept mapping and critique

LOW HIGH

Concept map

Demonstrates sufficient expansion of topic

Demonstrates understanding of concept mapping 10

Critique
Description of concept mapping
Evaluation of concept mapping as an organisational and thinking tool
Understanding of weaknesses
Reflective practice - personal experience

Presentation and layout
Demonstrates best practice word-processing