Module Information

Module Identifier

ILM8620

Module Title

Knowledge and Information Architecture

Academic Year

2017/2018

Co-ordinator

Professor David Ellis

Semester

Semester 1

Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Lecture	11 x 2 Hour Lectures

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Essay - 2,500 words	50%
Semester Assessment	Reports - equivalent 2,500 words	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Submission of specified resit essay - 2,500 words	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Submission of specified resit report- equivalent 2,500 words	50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Explain and provide critical comment on the context and definitions, background and evolution of the principles of Knowledge and Information Architecture.

Critically analyse the relationship between frameworks and theories for information architecture and the study of users and organisations.

Relate a critical analysis of the available and developing technologies for information management and information architecture to current practice and existing developments.

Demonstrate a critical knowledge of information and knowledge structures and organisation.

Apply a critical analysis of theory and technology to the application of design and strategy principles to the development of policy, procedures and design for IA

Visually represent information and knowledge structures.

Apply techniques for identifying trends and opportunities along with elements of uncertainty, risk and change.

Brief description

Information and knowledge architecture is a requirement for a robust underpinning for technological developments in how we treat information in our society and how we engage tactically with information and knowledge in organisation. A useful definition of Information Architecture is: ?'rn emerging discipline and community of practice focusing on bringing principles of design and architecture to the digital landscape.? (Rosenfield, L.; Peter, M. Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing Large-Scale Web Sites; O'reilly & Associates, Inc.:Sebastopol, CA, 2002.). It further necessitates a solid technological insight into what is possible and the implications of any technological strategy. From this understanding it is possible to fully exploit the opportunities provided for handling knowledge and information as organisational and societal assets. For example mobile apps, social media, open data, knowledge sharing, mashups, augmented reality and big data.

Content

To achieve the above this involves a strategic and informed approach to what is possible that draws upon several sub-disciplines of information science. This module will meet these requirements by covering the following material:
1. Introduction to frameworks of understanding for information and knowledge
2. Theory and practice of information arrangement and illustration of information processes.
3. Approaches to for sorting and organising: defining the formal and the informal methodologies
4. Evolving techniques for information structuring (including ontologies and taxonomies, folksonomies, metadata).
5. Specialised schemes and structures for records and information governance.
6. Architecture and the user: Ideas and theories of user, user behaviour and information need.
7. The organisation of information by collaborative and democratic methods; access and accessibility.
8. Designing for change and evolution: approaches to open data and sharing.
9. Designing information based on formal and informal practices.
10. Exploration of technology as a support for information architecture variations. May include the web, mobile and newly arising technologies. Consideration of 'rechnology as opportunity? and 'rechnological balance: risk and uncertainty?.

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Application of Number	An incidental element within this module.
Communication	Methods of representing Knowledge and Information Architecture problems solutions will be covered in the module. The essay and report elements for the assignments will assess the communication skills of students on this module.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Reflection upon learning skills will be encouraged. Assignment feedback will allow further reflection.
Information Technology	Appreciation of the role of technology and technological methods will be developed in the module. Presentation of coursework will rely upon the use of information technology.
Personal Development and Career planning	Consideration of the skills developed in the module will be explored in relation to career options.
Problem solving	The lectures introduce problems related to the subject, which are then analysed and presented in the assignments
Research skills	The lectures are a starting point for the content, the assignments rely upon identification of information, and its processing.
Subject Specific Skills	Ability and knowledge gained with regard to theoretical and practical Knowledge and Information Architecture
Team work	This will be developed through activities within the delivery of the module.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7