A compulsory IT transition subject experience: zero credit points leads to zero future

In 2002 the Faculty of Information Communication Technologies (FICT) at Swinburne University of Technology made a commitment to student transition to higher education by mandating that incoming undergraduates complete a transition subject (HIT0103 IT Transition) as part of their degree. This paper describes how this zero credit point transition subject has evolved over four years. It commenced as a one-semester length compulsory subject in one of the faculty’s degree courses, and extended to all first year degrees by 2005. As a result of systematic evaluations, and the burden to the faculty of self-funding, a one-week intensive program will replace HIT0103 in 2006. Some of the main curriculum components from HIT0103 will be embedded in core subjects, in particular a continuing focus on the group work process, presentation skills and reflective writing. The authors discuss HIT0103’s implementation through the design, development, review and evaluation phases drawing on the reactions of students to this compulsory pass requirement of a zero credit point subject in their undergraduate degree course.