Monash University > Publications > 2008handbooks > Units

Offered

Not offered in 2008

Synopsis

Virtual teams are becoming prevalent in global companies and groupware has made it possible for these virtual teams to communicate, coordinate and collaborate with their team members. This unit will survey various types of groupware and explore the pyschological, social and organisational issues in the development and implementation of groupware through case studies. Students will also gain hands-on experience in using and developing groupware applications.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit, students will have:

1. Knowledge of the wide range of goupware systems and how they can be used to support virtual teams;
2. Understanding of the relative strengths and limitations of the various groupware systems;
3. Understanding of the psychological, social and organisational issues in the development and implementation of groupware.

At the completion of this unit, students will have developed attitudes that enable them to:

1. Recognise the opportunities and limitations of the use of groupware to support virtual teams;
2. Appreciate the pyschological, social and organisational issues in the development and implementation of groupware.

At the completion of this unit, students will have the skills to:

1. Assess the potential scope for using groupware to support virtual teams;
2. Identify and discuss issues and problems in using groupware in virtual teams;
3. Identify and discuss the pyschological, social and organisational impact of developing and implementing groupware;
4. Use and develop groupware applications.

At the completion of this unit, students will have developed the team work skills needed to:

1. Recognise the team skills necessary for successuful development and implemetation of groupware;
2. Appreciate the importance of using groupware to build relationships with collegues who are not co-located.

Assessment

Assignments: 30%
Examination: 70%
Students must pass the examination in order to pass the unit.

Contact hours

3 x contact hrs/week

Prerequisites

24 points at first year

Prohibitions

BUS3720