Tip - Getting started in the unit

Hello SMers

By the time you read this posting, the semester will have already begun.  Hopefull you took the opportunity during the first week to familiarise yourself with the study package you have now received.  This week can also be used to get a head start on the readings to take some of the pressure off later in the semester. 

Throughout the semester I intend on posting information that you may find of interest in working through the unit.  Please note, do not feel you must read everything in depth that I post on the Forum - the prime source of learning for this unit is still the study guide, readings and textbook.  The forum has been set up merely as another resource available to help you learn more about the unit.  In addition, some of the issues we discuss may be of use in other units of the course, therefore I would encourage you to use the forum to develop your own list of links and materials for current and later use. 

I would also like to encourage you to keep in contact with me – the forum or email is an ideal means of communication, it is convenient, cheap to use, and it doesn't matter if the recipient is not in their office.  Of course, please feel free to contact me by phone, fax or 'snail mail'. 

There are a number of suggestions I would like to make to help you complete this unit:  

[1] Ensure you have a copy of the textbook available, this is a required text, without it there is little/no chance of passing this unit.  It is a requirement of this unit that each student has available a copy of the prescribed textbook.  If the assignments and/or examination relate to a case study or other questions from the textbook, then it is expected that students will be able to access the required pages.

[2] Work through and understand the study materials and readings.  Remember the readings are useful resources for assignments.

[3] Read carefully through the Unit Specifications Booklet, the Course Content and Rules Booklet, the Toolbox CD, and our Referencing Booklet.  An understanding of these documents is necessary to be able to submit assignments in the required format.  It is necessary to provide references with all assignments.  The documents have been provided to help you successfully complete this unit.  If there is any aspect of these documents you do not understand, please contact me.

 [4] I know you are all very busy people and it is difficult to juggle study with work, family and social life, therefore why then work through the readings multiple times, instead make half a dozen points on the cover sheet of each reading as a prompt for the contents of the important issues.  Read through the assignment questions every week before you read that week's module/topic.  This will keep you aware of what is required and enabling you to place a tab (sticky note) along side the readings and textbook pages that are relevant to each assignment.  Doing this while you are working through the topics saves a lot of research time when answering the assignment questions.  

[5] My function is to assist you in this unit.  To do this effectively, I need to hear from you if you are unclear on any of the information or requirements.  However, before contacting me, ensure you have read the study guide, readings, textbook and other documents that have been sent to you. 

As I am not always in my office I may not be able to immediately reply to your communication.  If you haven't heard from me within 3 working days, please send another message.  This means that any urgent enquiries should not be left to the last minute.

I hope I have not over-whelmed you.  My objective is to help you successfully complete and hopefully a high result in this unit, it is in this spirit that the above suggestions have been provided.  If there are any suggestions on improving the forum or the unit, please let me know. Please feel free to participate on the Forum, why not begin by introducing yourself and telling us where you are currently located.  

Cheers