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Department of Computer Science, Unit Catalogue 2009/10


CM40149: Collaborative systems

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 100%
Click here for further informationSupplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Description: Aims:
To equip students an advanced understanding of current research issues in computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW);
To foster the development of critical analysis of design approaches, research methods and theoretical positions in these areas;
To explore the range of cooperative and coordinated activities that can be supported by interactive technologies;
To situate the process of designing collaborative technologies between analysis of social and organisational collective practices and theoretically motivated modelling.

Learning Outcomes:
On successfully completing the unit, students should be able to:
* identify relevant principles and guidelines to support tightly and loosely couples groups in concerted and coordinated activity;
* account for the usability and effectiveness of technologies used by collaborating groups; critically evaluate claims made by designers of communication tools that are intended to support collaboration.

Skills:
Can collate information and derive knowledge of several cutting-edge research areas and/or applications in the field. (T/F A)
Can reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgments about arguments in CSCW. (T/F A)
Can adopt multiple perspectives and systematically analyse the relationships between them. (T/F A)
Can communicate ideas and research findings both effectively and fluently by written, oral and visual means. (T/F A)
Can cooperate and coordinate effort and delivery of effective research presentations (T/F)
Can solve problems by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions and evaluating outcomes. (T/F A)
Can undertake self-directed study and project management in order to meet desired objectives. (T/F)
Is able to take charge of their own learning, and can reflect and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses for the purposes of future learning. (T/F)

Content:
Articulation work and the overhead of collaboration; group decision support systems; the connection between collaboration and formation of common understanding through mediating technologies; theoretical perspectives on participation; social presence; video-mediated interactions; text-based communication; technologies to support mutual awareness within teams; changing physical, social and organisational environments of collaborative computing.
NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.