Overview
On completion of this unit, students should be able to use a word processor to format the layout of an academic essay and a report. The students should be able to use a spreadsheet to complete a workbook, create simple formula, apply simple functions as well as create and format charts. The students should be able to use the Internet, negotiate a Learning Management System and communicate using email at an academic level. Students should also be able to create a basic Power Point presentation appropriate for university units.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Non-award unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Students
Positive feedback about the Fast Track mode of study offering.
Continue the Fast Track mode of study maintaining fast turnaround of marking and feedback.
Feedback from Students
Positive feedback about video responses to weekly activities (formative assessment)
Continue to provide video feedback to students for all weekly formative assessment (Consolidation Activities).
Feedback from TaSAC
Google changing storage policies, which impacts use of Screencastify for video feedback storage.
Seek alternative video feedback tool for staff to provide feedback on Consolidation Activities, and monitor student response.
Feedback from Staff
Red text is not an accessible colour for some students.
Research and seek alternative colour and update all activities, exercises and assessments currently using red text to more accessible colour.
- Produce an appropriately formatted academic essay.
- Produce an appropriately formatted basic academic report.
- Perform basic spreadsheet operations and create charts.
- Create an electronic presentation using appropriate software.
- Perform basic operations using email and the Learning Management System provided.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 10% | |||||
| 4 - Practical Assessment - 40% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Self Management | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 4 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 5 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 6 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 7 - Cross-Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical Practice | |||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 10% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Practical Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
STEPS COIT40206 Computing Skills for University Textbook
- Edition: Eighth (2023)
- Authors: School of Access Education
- ISBN: N/A
A printable version of the Computing Skills for University PC and MAC textbooks can be found on the unit Moodle site. The textbooks cannot be purchased from the CQUniversity Bookshop. It is recommended that you print your own copy, specific to the computer system you will be using for the unit (PC or MAC). Your Access Co-ordinator will provide you with advice on printing options.
A printable version of the Computing Skills for University PC and MAC textbooks can be found on the unit Moodle site. The textbooks cannot be purchased from the CQUniversity Bookshop. It is recommended that you print your own copy, specific to the computer system you will be using for the unit (PC or MAC). Your Access Co-ordinator will provide you with advice on printing options.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Suitable storage media, such as a removable USB stick (4GB or greater)
- Full licensed version of Microsoft Office 2019 or 365 (but no older than 2016; including Word, Excel and PowerPoint), or Office for MAC (if using a MAC instead of a PC). Refer to the information on the Moodle site for information about obtaining a FREE student version of MS Office if you do not have one.
- Access to a full PC or MAC based computer. NOTE: This unit CANNOT be sufficiently completed using a phone, ipad or tablet (such as a Google Chromebook device)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.l.gray@cqu.edu.au
Prep Week
Begin Date: 03 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Preparatory Material
Chapter
Prep Week - Computing Foundations
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Prep Week
Week 1
Begin Date: 10 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Module 1
Chapter
Week 1 - Microsoft Word Basic Skills
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Week 1 - Format a Document
Week 2
Begin Date: 17 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Module 1
Chapter
Week 2 - Format an Essay
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Week 2 - Format an Essay
Week 3
Begin Date: 24 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Module 1
Chapter
Week 3 - Revision and Assessment 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module 1 Revision - Essay Activity
ASSESSMENT 1 - FORMAT AN ESSAY Due: Week 3 Friday (28 Mar 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 4
Begin Date: 31 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Module 2
Chapter
Week 4 - Document Display
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Week 4 - Display and Styles
Week 5
Begin Date: 07 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Module 2
Chapter
Week 5 - Format a Report
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Week 5 - Format a Report
Mid-term Break
Begin Date: 14 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Mid-term break
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Great opportunity to catch up, revise or get ahead.
Week 6
Begin Date: 21 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Module 2
Chapter
Week 6 - Revision and Assessment 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module 2 Revision - Report Activity
Week 7
Begin Date: 28 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Module 3
Chapter
Week 7 - Create a PowerPoint Presentation
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Week 7 - Simple Presentation
ASSESSMENT 2 - FORMAT AN ACADEMIC REPORT Due: Week 7 Monday (28 Apr 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 05 May 2025Module/Topic
Module 3
Chapter
Week 8 - Advanced PowerPoint
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Week 8 - Create Design
Week 9
Begin Date: 12 May 2025Module/Topic
Module 4
Chapter
Week 9 - Spreadsheet Foundations, Personal PowerPoint Revision and Assessment 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Week 9 - Spreadsheet Formatting
ASSESSMENT 3 - POWERPOINT PRESENTATION Due: Week 9 Friday (16 May 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 10
Begin Date: 19 May 2025Module/Topic
Module 4
Chapter
Week 10 - Numbers and Formulas
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Week 10 - Video Shop
Week 11
Begin Date: 26 May 2025Module/Topic
Module 4
Chapter
Week 11 - Sorting and Charts
Events and Submissions/Topic
Consolidation Activity Week 11 - Wages
Week 12
Begin Date: 02 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Module 4
Chapter
Week 12 - Revision and Assessment 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module 4 Revision - Spreadsheet Activity
ASSESSMENT 4 - SPREADSHEET Due: Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Unit Coordinator:
Michelle Gray:
Email: m.l.gray@cqu.edu.au
Phone: 07 49 804 157
Support Tutor:
Contact details for your Support Tutor can be found in the Learning Community tile in Moodle from Week 1 of the term.
In Week 1 you will receive an email from your Support Tutor. This tutor will be your main contact to email consolidation activities and for help and information about the unit content.
Before term begins:
In the week prior to term, it is expected that you will work on the PREP WEEK study material in Moodle and have your first Consolidation Activity completed ready to send to your Support Tutor when you hear from them in Week 1.
Important Information about the CSU Textbook:
It is recommended that you print the textbook, of which there are two printable versions available: PC Windows and MAC OS. Print only the version corresponding to your computer system you will use for the unit.
1 Practical Assessment
This assessment is designed to reinforce your understanding of correct formatting of an academic essay using MS Word, as covered in Module 1 of the unit. It requires that you correctly format an academic essay provided to you in an unformatted state.
In order to achieve this you will need to:
1. Download the Instruction file, the essay starter file and the reference list file from the assessment link on Moodle.
2. Use Microsoft Word to complete and correctly format these files according to the Instructions, and the Essay Preparation Checklist, using the techniques taught in Module 1 of the Textbook.
3. Ensure that the completed document includes:
A title page
The body of the essay formatted according to the Essay Preparation Checklist
A correctly formatted reference list
4. Upload the completed work onto the assessment link in Moodle and submit for marking.
This is an open book assessment, and it is recommended that you have the Textbook and a copy of the Essay Preparation Checklist with you when you undertake this assessment.
Week 3 Friday (28 Mar 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 5 Friday (11 Apr 2025)
Individual marks/feedback will be provided via the Moodle site two (2) weeks from the due date or submission date, whichever is later.
Grades will be allocated on the basis of the correct completion of the tasks listed in the instruction sheet using techniques taught in Module 1 of the Textbook.
The approximate breakdown of marks for this assessment is:
21% General essay and file settings
23% Quotations
11% Footer
21% Reference list
24% Title page
- Produce an appropriately formatted academic essay.
- Perform basic operations using email and the Learning Management System provided.
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 Practical Assessment
This assessment is designed to reinforce your understanding of the techniques used to format a Microsoft Word document as a report, as taught in Module 2. It requires that you correctly format a file provided to you in an unformatted state. The instructions will detail the required use of sections, styles, differential footers and content formats.
In order to achieve this you will need to:
1. Download the Instruction file, the report starter file and additional content file from the appropriate assessment link on Moodle.
2. Use Microsoft Word to complete and correctly format the report, according to the Instructions and the Formatting conventions detailed in the Textbook, using the skills learnt in Module 2.
3. Ensure that the completed report document consists of:
A title page
Front matter including an Executive Summary and Tables of Contents, Tables and/or Figures as required.
The body of the report (with reference list)
End matter, such as Appendices, as specified in the instructions.
4. Upload the completed work onto the assignment link in Moodle and submit for marking.
This is an open book assessment, and it is recommended that you have the Textbook with you when you attempt this assessment.
Week 7 Monday (28 Apr 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 9 Monday (12 May 2025)
Individual marks/feedback will be provided via the Moodle site two (2) weeks from the due date or submission date, whichever is later.
Grades will be allocated on the basis of the completion of the tasks listed in the instruction sheet using techniques taught in Module 2 of the Textbook.
The approximate breakdown of grades is:
31% General formatting including styles and sections
36% Specific formatting including tables, tabulated text, lists, and captions
9% Differential Footers
10% Tables of Contents, Tables and Figures
14% Title page
- Produce an appropriately formatted basic academic report.
- Perform basic operations using email and the Learning Management System provided.
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
3 Practical Assessment
This assessment is designed to reinforce your understanding of appropriate presentation of a slide show, using MS PowerPoint, as covered in Module 3 of the unit.
It requires that you create an original PowerPoint presentation in response to the topic specified in the Instructions. In order to achieve this you will need to:
1. Download the Instruction file from the appropriate assessment link on Moodle. This should be downloaded in the break week to start work on planning the assessment task.
2. Use Microsoft PowerPoint to prepare a short presentation in accordance with the design considerations introduced in Module 3 of the unit and meeting the specifications listed in the Instruction file.
3. Ensure your presentation relates to the topic. Note that your interpretation of this topic may be factual or fictional.
4. Save your work as a PowerPoint Presentation file (*.pptx).
5. Upload the presentation through the assessment link in Moodle and submit for marking.
This assessment should be completed in your own time over the weeks allocated to Module 3. It is recommended that you refer to the Textbook as you work on this assessment.
Week 9 Friday (16 May 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (30 May 2025)
Individual marks/feedback will be provided via the Moodle site two (2) weeks from the due date or submission date, whichever is later.
Grades will be allocated on the basis of the completion of the tasks listed in the instruction sheet using techniques taught in Module 3 of the Textbook.
The approximate breakdown of grades is:
19% Meeting specific criteria for the presentation
13% Documentation
28% Design principles
40% Use of advanced techniques
- Create an electronic presentation using appropriate software.
- Information Technology Competence
4 Practical Assessment
This assessment is designed to reinforce your understanding of creating and formatting a basic spreadsheet, using MS Excel, including the correct application of appropriate formulae and creation of simple charts, as covered in Module 4 of the unit.
In order to achieve this you will need to:
1. Download the Instruction file and the spreadsheet starter file from the appropriate assessment link on Moodle.
2. Use Microsoft Excel to complete and correctly format the spreadsheet using the skills taught in Module 4 (including basic formulae and charts), in accordance with the Instruction sheet and the formatting Guidelines detailed in the Textbook.
3. Upload the completed work onto the assignment link in Moodle and send for marking.
This is an open book assessment, and it is recommended that you have the Textbook with you when you attempt this assessment.
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Individual marks/feedback will be provided via the Moodle site two (2) weeks from the due date or submission date, whichever is later, in time for the certification of grades.
Grades will be allocated on the basis of the completion of the tasks listed in the instruction sheet using techniques and formatting guidelines taught in Module 4 of the Textbook. The approximate breakdown of grades is:
27% Formatting a worksheet
22% Use of formulas and functions
31% Working in multiple sheets, including 3-D referencing
20% Charts
- Perform basic spreadsheet operations and create charts.
- Information Technology Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
