Discuss the impact of managers putting in place systems that enable effective communication in the organisation. Ensure you outline the issues that need to be addressed and how communication might be improved if these issues are addressed.

CONTENTS

1. INFORMATION ABOUT THE MODULE 3
2. MODULE INTENTIONS 3
Rationale 3
Aims 3
Learning outcomes 3
3. MODULE PROGRAMME 3
4. MODULE CONTENT 5
5. ASSESSMENT 6
Presentation 7
Approaches to Writing 7
Assessment Criteria 8
Reassessment 8
6. READING LIST 8
7. MODULE SOURCES AND RESOURCES 8
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY 8
1. INFORMATION ABOUT THE MODULE

Module tutors:

Andrea Harper – weeks 26-42
Room WTU 108
E-mail a.harper@chester.ac.uk

Jan Jones – weeks 10 to 25
Email jan.jones@chester.ac.uk

2. MODULE INTENTIONS

Rationale
The module is designed to introduce and develop the fundamental concepts of information and communication in the workplace.

Aims
1. To create an awareness of information and the mechanisms used to communicate this in the workplace
2. To develop an understanding of the key issues involved in managing communication and information within the workplace
3. To develop key analytical skills in communication
4. To develop key analytical skills in information

Learning outcomes
1. Consider how data, information and knowledge can be applied and utilised in the workplace
2. Evaluate the issues for managers of communication in organisational settings
3. Identify the problems associated with both information and communication channels within the workplace
4. Assess user requirements for an allocated topic and use databases to implement an appropriate working model.
5. Evaluate the appropriateness of technologies to solve problems effectively.
Employability Skills

Employability Skill Requirements met include:
Communication
• writing in a range of styles to suit different audiences
• using specialist language in written and oral communication
• questioning, clarifying and evaluating information
• reading, interpreting and reviewing a range of reports
Teamwork
• working with diverse persons and groups
• working as a member of a team and applying knowledge of one’s own role to achieve team goals
• referring matters to nominated person as required
Problem Solving
• collecting, comparing and contrasting data in order to create reports
• using problem solving tools and techniques to solve reconciling problems
• checking reports for accuracy and correcting errors as required
Initiative and Enterprise • contributing to solutions to class/workplace challenges
• designing reports to effectively present class/workplace information
Planning and Organising • recording, gathering and classifying information
• establishing and operating a computerised system
• preparing, processing and maintaining records
• maintaining records for compliance purposes
Self-management
• managing own time and priorities and dealing with contingencies
• taking responsibility as required
• operating within Codes of Ethics, Codes of Professional Conduct, legislation and regulations
Learning
• seeking appropriate technical help with new computerised systems
• learning new ideas, skills and techniques
Technology
• using electronic communication devices and processes i.e.: internet, intranet, software packages and email to produce written correspondence and reports
• using technology to assist the management of information and meet compliance requirements
3. MODULE PROGRAMME

The module will be taught over the academic year.
Students are encouraged to attend all lectures and seminars
4. MODULE CONTENT

Week Tutor Session Title
10 JJ Emails, internet, intranet and extranet
11 JJ Searching, referencing & Social Media
12 JJ Introduction to databases and tables
13 JJ Database models – forms
14 Personal Development Week
15 JJ Database models – queries
16 JJ Database models – reports
17 JJ Quality of Information
18 JJ Organisations as a system
19 JJ Information Systems for Competitive Advantage
20 JJ Revision
21 -23 HOLIDAY
24 JJ Revision
25 JJ Revision FOR ASSESSMENT –
26 AH Introduction to Communication
27 AH Information literacy
28 AH Channels of communication
29 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK
30 AH Business Communication
31 AH Conflict – issues and skills
32 AH Networks of communication
33 AH Listening and critical thinking
34 AH Communicating across cultures
35-37 Easter Break
38 AH Communication skills
39 AH Effective Communication and the importance of communication in the workplace
40 AH Assessment workshops
41-42 AH Revision

Please note: this schedule may change during the course of the module; students will be informed of any changes.
5. ASSESSMENT

Assessment 1 – 50% of the module mark
Assessment 1
Module Code: BU4203
Module Title: Communications in the Workplace
Component: Assignment 1 (50% weighted)
Tutor: Jan Jones
Hand-in Date/Time: Submission IS 26.1.15 – BEFORE 12 NOON

Assessing learning outcomes:
• Consider how data, information and knowledge can be applied and utilised in the workplace
• Assess user requirements for an allocated topic and use databases to implement an appropriate working model.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of technologies to solve problems effectively.
Brief – this will be distributed in early November.
Assessment 2 – 50% of the module mark

Deadline: 12.5.15

2000 word academic essay, brief to be distributed in January 2015.

ASSESSING LEARNING OUTCOMES 2 and 3:
• Evaluate the issues for managers of communication in organisational settings
• Identify the problems associated with both information and communication channels within the workplace
Marking criteria
First of all, I expect to see evidence of reading from a range of reputable sources, e.g. academic journals, published conference papers, books, edited editions, etc.
Students failing the module will be required to re-take any individual component they have failed. However, students, who get below 20% in one component, will be reassessed in all components.

Submission Procedure

Assignment is to be submitted online

Presentation
• Please word-process your work, using 1.5 spacing, on one side of the paper only.
• Use A4 paper.
• Please include a title page which includes your name, the title of you work, number of words, the module title and number, the name of your module tutor and the number of words.
• All references and bibliographies should be constructed using the APA System. A handout on this system is available from Learning Resources.
• Please bind all assignments before submission using a slide binder, spiral binder or other appropriate binding (a firm staple is acceptable).

Approaches to Writing
Plagiarism – It is unethical and unacceptable to pass off someone else’s work, either published or unpublished, as your own. If you wish to refer to work other than your own, you must acknowledge it in your text.

Standard English – It is expected that your writing will conform to Standard English in terms of spelling, syntax and grammar.

Assessment Criteria
The Programme handbook details the expected standard of work for your level of study and in the case of Level 5 and 6 students provides an analysis of the mark range for each degree classification. See web-link http://ganymede.chester.ac.uk/ibis/dms/index.php?page?id=48578

Reassessment
Students requiring reassessment will be notified in writing and provided with the appropriate information after the meetings of the Awards Assessment Boards. Examination re-sits are normally held in the early part of September, notification being provided to students in writing.
Further information can be obtained on IBIS on http://ganymede.chester.ac.uk/ibis/dms/view.php?title_id=45581&page_id=163698
Principles and Regulation can be found on http://ganymede.chester.ac.uk/ibis/dms/view.php?title_id=13989

6. READING LIST
No one text is suitable for the whole module. Please refer to bibliography below.
7. MODULE SOURCES AND RESOURCES
Please refer to the IBIS online learning space for the module

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Blundell R, Ippolito K (2008) Effective Organisational Communication: perspectives, principles and practices. Financial Times Prentice Hall Publisher, Harlow
Bocij P, Greasley A & Hickie S (2008) Business Information Systems: Technology, Development & Management, 4th Ed. FT Prentice Hall
Brennan L.L. & Johnson V. (Eds) (2004) Social, ethical and policy implications of information technology. [Electronic Resource] Hersey, PA: Information Science Pub.
Cameron, S. (2008) The business student’s handbook: learning skills for study and employment. FT Prentice Hall.
Curtis G & Cobham D (2008) Business Information Systems: Analysis, Design and Practice, 6th Ed. FT Prentice Hall
Guirdham, M. (2010) Interactive Behaviour at Work, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall
Hargie, O and Dickson, D. (2010) Skilled interpersonal communication [Electronic Resource]. Routledge
Hart C. (2001) Doing a literature search: a comprehensive guide for the
social sciences. Sage
Hinton M. (Ed). (2006) Introducing information management: the business approach. Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann
Laudon K.C. & Laudon J.P. (2010) Management information systems: managing the digital firm 11th Ed. Pearson
O’Brien J.A. (2005), Introduction to information systems. McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Peterson J. (2002), Absolute beginner’s guide to databases [electronic resource] Que.
Stephen M. (2006), Databases with Access London Butterworth-Heinemann,.
Whetten D. A, Cameron K. S. (2010), Developing Management Skills. Pearson/Prentice Hall
Wright, M (2009) Ed., Gower Handbook of Internal Communication [electronic book], Gower Publishing, Farnham
Access http://www.quackit.com/microsoft_access/tutorial/


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