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CMCfB - Introduction.

This module is split between two lecturers, and the material here - apart from the assignment - is specific to the strand lectured by me. This strand covers an approach to analysing communication problems using systems ideas, the idea of telepresence, technologies for delivering rich media, and the role of rich media in e-marketing and e-commerce.

This module is intended to be highly 'student-centred', and a preparation for the independent research work required by the dissertation. The assignment includes an assessed presentation to the whole group, in which you present the interim findings of your investigation and analysis. The teaching on the module is 'front-loaded': intensive in the first few weeks, but tapering off as you start to develop your independent work.

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1. Notes and Supporting Materials.
Week 1 notes web sites and books independent learning
Week 2 notes readings independent learning
Week 3 notes readings independent learning
Week 4 notes readings independent learning
Week 5 notes readings independent learning
Week 6 notes readings independent learning
Week 7 notes readings independent learning
Week 8 notes readings independent learning
Week 9 notes readings independent learning
Week 10 notes readings independent learning
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2. Lecture and Tutorial Programme.
  Lecture Tutorial
Week 1 introduction and orientation/ systems analysis ideas brainstorming assignment topics
Week 2 systems analysis methodology applying analysis techniques to problems
Week 3 the idea of telepresence rich media tools (1)
Week 4 assignment consultations assignment consultations
Week 5 mediated and face to face communication rich media tools (2)
Week 6 rich media in e-commerce rich media tools (3)
Week 7 assignment consultations assignment consultations
Week 8 troubleshooting and contingency assignment consultations
Week 9 troubleshooting and contingency assignment consultations
Week 10 presentations presentations
Week 11 presentations presentations
Week 12 final write-up final write-up
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3. Assignment.

Your task is to select a (human) communication problem for which networked communications technologies might plausibly provide a solution. Such a problem might be drawn from one of many different domains:

  • intra-organisational communication problems (concerned with workflow, information resource sharing, training, etc.)
  • B2B communication problems (supply chain, cooperative ventures, etc.)
  • B2C communication problems concerned with the provision of goods and services over the Internet (marketing, sales, customer liaison, etc.)
  • problems in providing remote educational services
  • problems in communication between government and citizens
  • etc.

You should then do a thorough analysis of the problem situation, assess the range of technologies that might be applied to the problem, and then either:

  • propose a technology-based solution to the problem;
  • or, explain carefully why the problem cannot adequately be solved with current technologies.

The emphasis of your work should be on principles, strategy and the high-level design of solutions - you should not get bogged down in the minuitae of particular technologies.

Your work should be presented in the form of a report (of about 5000 words), with appropriate academic references. In addition, you should present your main findings to the group in a time slot to be arranged in week 10 or 11, this presentation should be done with the aid of slides or a computer-based presentation package. The written report should be completed by the end of week 12.

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4. Assessment Criteria.

 

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