IS40030 People, Information & Communication: Our Information Behaviour

Academic Year 2021/2022

In this seminar module, students explore theoretical foundations and research regarding how people interact with people and information, importantly including how they identify, access, create, communicate or share, and use information. In addition, they consider how theories and research results apply to the design of effective information services and information systems in a variety of contexts, e.g., workplace, educational, health care, personal, and leisure settings. Students will have the opportunity to discuss research and workplace application with researchers from the field and within the school, as well as industry and business experts.

IMPORTANT NOTES: Because this module is offered synchronously online, students must
a) commit to active, weekly online engagement; and
b) ensure they have access to a computer with functioning audio & webcam set up for effective online participation. Please consult IT Services for assistance.
Registration to this module is subject to the module coordinator's permission prior to registration.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Apply models of information and communication behaviour to a variety of contexts.
2. Identify critical information issues for particular groups and in particular contexts.
3. Identify and implement best practices for information services in different environments.
4. Analyse and apply appropriate methodological approaches to information behaviour research in various contexts.
5. Actualise a research exploration into the information and communication behaviour of a particular group.

Indicative Module Content:

Information behaviour, e.g., information sharing, creating, managing, etc.
Communication
Professional, everyday, leisure contexts
Research methods application

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24

Specified Learning Activities

36

Autonomous Student Learning

65

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Self-constructed learning
Active learning
Active participation
Reflective learning
Online learning
Student presentations
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Project: Project Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

60

Seminar: Continuous engagement and contributions as specified in assessment instructions. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

40


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Project feedback is provided individually to students. A feedback rubric is provided through Brightspace. Seminar feedback includes engagement with content and colleagues in weekly online seminars and discussions, as well as seminar leadership, During seminars, students will work together to facilitate each other's understanding of material and peer review draft projects through a presentation and subsequent question and answer session in Week 12. Students' self-assessment is incorporated into this component.

The core texts for this module are as follows:

Case, D.O. (any edition). Looking For Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs and Behavior. San Diego, Calif. : Academic Press. Available via UCD Library and for purchase/to access online.

Fisher, K.E., S. Erdelez, and E.F. McKechnie, eds. (2005). Theories of Information Behavior. ASIS&T Monograph Series. Medford, N.J.: Information Today. Available via UCD Library and for purchase/to access online. Alternative arrangements may be organised as needed to access this text.

Ford, N. (2015). Introduction to Information Behaviour. London: Facet Publishing. Available via UCD Library and for purchase online. Alternative arrangements may be organised as needed to access this text.

Additional reading list is provided within the module.