LO1 Explain the value of the role of information within an organisation and identify how it can be shared and used effectively

1 Module overview

Introduction

We have introduced UWLFlex - our new, online, flexible learning platform.

UWLFlex has been designed to complement face-to-face learning and build on our reputation for

excellence in teaching, learning and student support. We will be able to deliver a University experience that is more collaborative, active, and relevant for an increasingly digital world thus enabling us to
provide you with an improved student experience. UWLFlex will provide you with an enhanced range of online tools, to help facilitate your learning whether this takes place primarily on site or online.

Module summary content and aims

Research has clearly shown that some employers will have specific computer programs and software
that they will train new employees to use competently. However, there is a desire for a certain level of
competency across a wide range of programs. For example, employers say that they want to see a
good level of ability when it comes to using Microsoft packages, as well as spreadsheets, emails and
social platforms.

This module will enable the students to develop an understanding of the importance of information to an organisation, and an awareness of the key issues concerning the use of IT in business. At the same time the student will be given the opportunity to develop and improve thier practical IT skills.

The aim of the module is to enable the students to work with business information, using appropriate technologies for analysis and communication, by providing a portfolio of skills and developing an
analytical and conceptual understanding. This should also enable the students to appreciate the nature of business information from a user perspective.

This module will be run in IT rooms using various learning and teaching strategies, such as reflective learning, cooperative learning, inquiry-based instruction, differentiation, technology-based teaching, group discussions, peer assessment etc. LO1 Explain the value of the role of information within an organisation and identify how it can be shared and used effectively

The content of the module covers various IT applications such as MS Office (Exce,MS Word,MS

Powerpoint). Also, it covers subjects related to principles of information communication; the nature of information,  information flows, effective communication and dissemination of information; systems and information systems and systems and security issues. The sessions content will be available on the Blackboard under the learning materials

Expectations

Specific expectations students can have of tutors:

• Pre-recorded lectures are provided at least one week in advance on the “Module Content” of BlackBoard

• Please e-mail for an online/phone appointment outside of normal class times for mutually convenient times

• Refer to MSG (and all assignment guides/case studies) on BB

• Formative feedback on their assessments

Specific expectations tutors will have of students:

•  Attend all seminars and arrive at classes punctually.

• Practise all the provided materials prior to seminars and prepare answers to questions as per instructions given.

• Actively participate and engage in class activities.

• Inform tutor via email when not able to attend any classes.

• Appointments can be made at mutually convenient times. Please e-mail for an appointment outside of normal class times.

• Communicate with tutors in a professional manner - Attempt all assessments by the submission deadline unless there are extenuating circumstances (please do contact your tutor and your Module Leader).

• Behave professionally in classes and not cause any disruption that may affect other students’ learning.

It is important that you do at least 152 independent-study hours (referring to the

Reading List) on related and relevant topics, which may not be necessarily covered during the lessons, but all will still be assessed.

Learning outcomes to be assessed

By the end of this module you will be able to:

LO1 Explain the value of the role of information within an organisation and identify how it can be shared and used effectively

LO2 Appraise the handling of information in a business context, and identify key factors in matching information systems to user requirements.

LO3 Formulate ideas which could contribute towards generating a policy regarding IT issues, and recognise the need for on-going evaluation.

LO4 Communicate effectively in a business environment, selecting appropriate software for specific tasks and completing tasks to an acceptable business standard.

LO5 Improve office automation applications skills, using Microsoft Office.

Indicative Contact Hours

2 Assessment and feedback

Summative assessment grid

Assessment brief including criteria mapped to learning outcomes

Assessment 1: Presentation - OnlineIn-class demonstration and reporting (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5)

Weighting:50%

Date/time/method of submission: Midnight before day of presentation/viva on Week 7 or Week 7 and 8 There are three parts to this assignment; the first part is an IT task to produce an individual 1-A4 size, 4-paragraph 250-word report using MS Word; the second part is an IT task to demonstrate Power Point to showcase the Excel spreadsheet and the third part is to demonstrate Excel skills in a
Viva/Presentation. This is one assignment.

Part 1 - Individual 250-word Report using MS Word (50%)

You will be given a case study. The case study will be posted on BlackBoard.

ng MS Word to produce a strictly no-more than 250-word 4-paragraph 1-page professional report.

Based on the given/chosen case study, perform basic research to meet the following criteria below, linking it specifically to the chosen organisation of the case study. The main purpose of this Part 1 assignment is to demonstrate students’ capability in using various features of MS Words

Assessment Criteria:

250 words, four paragraphs and 1-page A4 paper (5%)

➢   The 250-word professional report must contain strictly the four paragraphs, on 1-page A4 size paper Content (20%)

•   Introduction

➢   Explain the value of the role of information specifically for the chosen organisation and identify how it
      can be shared and used effectively [first paragraph - suggested word counts: 60]

•   Body

➢   Appraise the handling of information in the chosen business context, and … [second paragraph -
      suggested word counts: 60]

identify key factors in matching information systems to user requirements [third paragraph -
suggested word counts: 60]

•   Conclusions

➢   Formulate ideas which could contribute towards generating a policy regarding IT issues and
      recognise the need for on-going evaluation. [fourth paragraph - suggested word counts: 60]

MS Word Formatting Skill (25%)

➢   Showcase the document with the use of, if appropriate, for examples, but not limited to,
      ▪   Formatting styles (Font, Paragraph setting and Styles)

▪   Pages, tables, header and footer

▪   Layouts

▪   References (Table of Contents, and so on)

Note that the four paragraphs of 60 words each contribute to 240 words, which is within the 250 word counts limit. The remaining 10 words are for your ID, Name, headings etc…

Note 1: The whole document must contain only ONE single-sided page as shown by MS Word at the bottom left conner

Note 2: The whole document must contain only 250 words as shown by MS Word at the bottom left conner

Note that this maybe different to the TurnItIn Word Count. TurnItin Word would be taken as the correct indicator.

IMPORTANT:

For MS Word, to PASS, you MUST at least prove that the submitted document is

•   STRICTLY no more than 250 words. Your name, ID, All headings, word counts,

references etc. MUST BE counted. The **ONLY** words that are not counted is when they are in the table and images.

•   STRICTLY 4 paragraphs exactly

•   STRICTLY no more than 1 page (side) of A4. (single sided)

•   Completed in MS Word

•   Uploaded in MS Word format (that is .docx NOT pdf) and onto the CORRECT MS Word
      folder (based on the day of your lesson)

Only after achieving the above, you then work to further improve on the "design" (layout, formatting etc) of the MS Word document. Please ensure nobody has the same design as yours. The design itself is 25%. LO1 Explain the value of the role of information within an organisation and identify how it can be shared and used effectively

Part 2 - Individual 10-page Presentation using MS Power Point (20%)

For this part of the assignment, you need to (1) demonstrate the proficiency of using MS Excel by converting the source data into relevant information and (2) then convert such information in the presentation format using MS Power Point. You may not necessary required to do a stand-up presentation.

Using the case studies given, which contain data, you must work on all of three of the case studies by answering all the questions using MS Excel to manipulate the data.

Using MS Excel, you need to demonstrate the following:

▪   data manipulation using various Excel functions (for examples, but not limited to Sum, Average, Count,
      Max, Min and conditional If statements)

▪   display of information in various chart formats

Once you have completed all case studies, pick one of your best out of the three, create screen shots of all

your output of the Excel tasks of ONLY one case study as per your choice. Copy and paste all output into the MS PowerPoint so that your slides contain all the output produced with MS Excel.

When you copy and paste the MS Excel into MS PowerPoint, you must use the “show formulas” feature in MS Excel to show your formulas.

Your PowerPoint slides must be no more than 10 slides and no more than 30 minutes (depending on instructions) containing

▪   data manipulation using various Excel functions (for examples, but not limited to Sum, Average, Count,
      Max, Min and conditional If statements)

▪   display of information in various chart formats

Then you capture those data present them into MS Power Point. You only need to submit the MS Power Point. There is no need to submit to submit the MS Excel.

Assessment Criteria:

10-page slides (5%)

➢   Power point submitted must be less than 10 pages MS PowerPoint Formatting Skill (15%)

➢   Communicate the information on the slides clearly and professionally

▪   Performing data manipulation using various Excel functions (for examples, but not limited to Sum,
      Average, Count, Max, Min and conditional If statements)

▪   Display information in various chart formats IMPORTANT For MS PowerPoint, to PASS, you MUST at least prove that the submitted PowerPoint slides

•   are STRICTLY no more than 10 slides, including your ID and name, answering all the

15 Qs.

•   MUST SHOW the formulae (formula view)

•   MUST SHOW the "figures" (data view)

•   is Completed in MS PowerPoint

•   is Uploaded in MS PowerPoint format (that is .pptx NOT pdf) and onto the CORRECT
      MS PowerPoint folder (based on the day of your lesson)

Only after achieving the above, you then work to improve on the "design" (layout, formatting etc) of the MS Power Point and explanation/evaluation of your formulae. Please ensure nobody has the
same design as yours.

Part 3 - 30-minutes On-line Individual Demonstration/Viva using MS Excel (30%)

Final step (3) is to demonstrate the proficiency in using MS Excel by doing demonstration/viva during presentation.

With your completed MS Excel activities on the given case studies for the Part 2 MS Power Point task, you will be
given randomly by the online system for a similar case study for you to perform your Excel manipulation within

30 minutes.

You now have to demonstrate your proficiency skills in MS Excel by implementing the what you have done for the Power Point using MS Excel during the demonstration on-line, remotely, as evidence.

Again, using MS Excel, you need to demonstrate the following:

▪   data manipulation using various Excel functions (for examples, but not limited to Sum, Average, Count,
      Max, Min and conditional If statements)

▪   display of information in various chart formats

Once you have completed all Excel tasks, submit online within the time limit. There is no need for you to copy the outcome onto MS Power Point. This is only for MS Excel submission.

Assessment Criteria:

➢   Explanation of the following techniques, during the online Viva/Demonstration (30%)

▪   Performing data manipulation using various Excel functions (for examples, but not limited to Sum,
      Average, Count, Max, Min and conditional If statements)

▪   Display information in various chart formats IMPORTANT:

For MS Excel, to PASS, you MUST at least prove that you are

•   able to do Q1 - Q10 of any of the given dataset (one of the two dataset, other than the
      one you did for your PowerPoint)

•   MUST upload the MS Excel onto TurnItIn before the link closes. You only have 30
      minutes. (including the copy of the Excel)

•   Completed in MS Excel

•   Uploaded in MS Excel format (that is .xlsx NOT pdf) and onto the CORRECT
      MS Excel folder (based on the day of your lesson)

Then, you can PLEASE further improve by completing Q11 to Q15 which carry the MOST marks of the
MS Excel.

Additional Notes(these apply to all the above and will cause marks to be given or deducted if not adhered to):

•   All submitted works MUST be in their respective MS Word, MS Power Point and MS Excel format.

•   Spreadsheet must be produced using required formulas/features and formulae must be evidenced

•   Spreadsheet must be well designed with required formulas/features and formulae must be evidenced

•   Labels of the columns and rows of Excel spreadsheet(s), if used, must be clearly shown on the
      screen capture(s)

•   Table(s) must be professionally displayed

•   Chart(s) must be clearly labelled with correct headings and legend.

•   Any commentary or analysis must be specific

•   Word, time, and page limits must be adhered to

•   Instructions must be followed correctly

Marking scheme:

Assessment 2: Practical In-class test (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5)

Weighting:50%

Date/time/method of submission: Week 15

The test will cover various subjects on ICT such as, but not limited to theories, the use of Application and Developmental software and other relevant topics for the module.

General IT knowledge and theories of hands-on practice that is relevant for the business world will also be included in the test.

The test can be in written and/or multiple-choice formats. It can either be run online or offline.

It is important that you do the 158 - 161 hours of independent study (referring to the Reading List) on related and relevant topics, which may not be necessarily covered during the lessons, but all will still be assessed in the in-class test. LO1 Explain the value of the role of information within an organisation and identify how it can be shared and used effectively

Marking scheme:

For guidance on online submission of assignments, including how to submit and how to access online
feedback, please refer to the UWL Blackboard student-help pages at: uwl.ac.uk/blackboardhelp

Learning materials

The reading list for this module is available on Blackboard in the module area and online by
searching https://ulearn.ukcbc.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=83  & uwl.rl.talis.com. This shows real-
time availability of books in the library and provides direct links to online resources, recommended
by your lecturer.

Remember to log into Ulearn and Blackboard daily to receive all the latest news and support available at your module sites!

Subject guides https://ulearn.ukcbc.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=83 are also available to help you find
relevant information for assignments, with contact details of the Librarian for your School.

Essential Reading

Bocil, C. (2018) Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and Management for the Modern Business. Pearson: New York

Taylor S. (2007) Business Statistics: For Non-Mathematicians Revised 2nd Edn. Palgrave Macmillan:
London

Harvey, G. (2015). Excel 2016 for dummies. Wiley: Indianapolis

Bluttman, K. (2016). Excel Formulas and Functions For Dummies. Wiley: Indianapolis Cook, D. (2015). Word 2016 For Dummies. Wiley: Indianapolis

Dowe, L. (2015), Power Point 2016 for Dummies. Wiley: Indianapolis Recommended Reading

Lambert, J and Lambert, S. (2015). Microsoft Word 2016 Step By Step. Microsoft Press: New York Frye, C. (2015). Microsoft Excel 2016 Step by Step. Microsoft Press: New York
Harvey, G. (2015). Excel 2016 All-In-One For Dummies. Wiley: Indianapolis
Marmel, J.  (2016) Office 2016 simplified. Wiley: Indianapolis

Bocij, P, Greasley, A & Hickie, S (2014) Business Information Systems, 5^th Edition, Prentice Hall -
ebook available

Further Reading

Lamber, J. and Lambert, S. (2016). MOS 2016 Study Guide for Microsoft Word (Mos Study Guide) Microsoft Press: New York

Lamber, J. (2016). MOS 2016 Study Guide for Microsoft Excel (Mos Study Guide). Microsoft Press: New York

Lamber, J. (2016). MOS 2016 Study Guide for Microsoft PowerPoint (Mos Study Guide). Microsoft Press: New York

Valacich, J, & Schneider, C, 2010, Information Systems Today, 7^th edition, Prentice Hall
Jessup & Valacich, 2008, Information Systems Today, 7^th edition, Prentice Hall
Rainer, R K, Turban, E, 2008, Introduction to Information Systems, 5^th edition John Wile

3 Things you need to know

Engagement

Teaching at UKCBC during the academic year 2021-22 will be conducted face to face and may involve a range of on site and online teaching and learning activities. Whether you are engaging with teaching and learning activities on site or via the UKCBC - Ulearn Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), we expect the same level of commitment and engagement from you. If you are unable to attend scheduled on site or online activities or complete activities in the time frames set out, you should let your tutors know. You should aim to stick to assessment deadlines; if you are concerned that you will not be able to complete your assessments on time, you should talk to your tutors. Your engagement, whether online or on site, will be tracked and if we see that you are not engaging, we will get in contact with you.
However, we encourage you to let us know if you are having problems so we can work with you to find solutions and get you back on track as soon as possible. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed by engaging with the full range of learning and teaching activities available to you.

Need help, just ask

The College recognises that there are times when you may encounter difficulties during your course of study and provisions are made to help you. Your Module Coordinator can help with any questions specifically related to your module.  Any query regarding your course can be discussed with your Course Coordinator.

If you think you will be unable to meet deadlines please talk to us, whether it’s your lecturer, module coordinator or course coordinator, personal tutor or any member of staff, so they can get you the support you need to succeed.

You can extend your deadline if you have a good reason why you are not able to submit a piece of coursework on time, apply for an extension before your deadline. If an extension is not sufficient and circumstances beyond your control are preventing you from completing your assessment, then you can, apply online for mitigation.  To apply for any extension, the links are available on your module page under Extension tile or you can visit your student portal through Evision (360-degree portal).

Please remember late submission without extension or mitigation may result in penalties depending on
how late it is, see University Academic Regulations.

You are expected to behave in line with UKCBC expectations, irrespective of whether your interactions with staff and other students are in person or online. As you will be engaging with others online and with a range of online materials, it is important to consider how to stay safe online and ensure your communications are secure and appropriate. If you have any questions about how to manage your online UKCBC activities, please contact your module coordinator.

If you have an issue about the module, you should speak to your Module Coordinator or Course Coordinator informally in the first instance. Your Course Representative can also raise your concerns at Course Committees, which take place each semester. If you are unable to resolve it informally, you should refer to the Complaints Procedure. The College aims to ensure that issues are resolved informally as quickly as possible to have minimum impact on your studies