Group
Article Review Presentation (using Pinterest and Padlet)
In small groups students present an article review in dedicated tutorial time. Groups create a Pinterest page in which they collate and curate digital material relevant to their topic. Audience members use Padlet (an online notation tool) to comment on presentations in real time (via personal smartphones) to inform discussion.
Assessment method
Critical Reflection (News Media)
In this formative assessment, students select a recent news media item (print, electronic, multimedia, social media etc.) and conduct a short (500-700 word) critical reflection that draws on the foundational theoretical and disciplinary concepts from the course.
Group, Peer-assessed
Group Presentation with Creative Peer Feedback
In small groups students prepare an oral presentation in which they draw on key disciplinary outputs to discuss a topic relevant to the course content. Additionally, students must individually provide peer feedback/reflections for two other group presentations, the form of which is to be decided by the student.
Work-related, Group
Historical Research Project
In this major research piece, students create a historical research project (in place of a traditional essay) that can be disseminated to a wider, non-academic audience. Approximately 3500 words (or equivalent), the project can take multiple formats including a website, exhibition proposal, eBook, oral history report, travel brochure, or documentary.
Assessment method
Manuscript Editing and Editorial Report
Students are assigned an extract from a draft manuscript (developed by a practicing author), for which they produce a professional editorial report. Students actively use skills taught throughout the course to make reasoned suggestions that improve the quality of the work, and may ultimately be realised in published copy.
Assessment method
Online discussion (Participation on Internet news websites)
Designed to encourage students to participate in discipline specific real-world discussions, this assessment sees students post in the 'comments' section of online news websites, using either the originally posted article or an existing comment as stimuli. Students write a total of three comments, the best two of which are marked.
Sequence
Padlet Digital Reflections
Every week of semester students are required to use Padlet to write a reflection using concepts and theories from the week's lecture, readings, and from other resources such as academic and media articles, open blogs, images, video and social media.
Assessment method
Public Showcase Review
Students visit a contemporary showcase relevant to their discipline (e.g. an art or museum exhibition, public speech, music or theatre production, etc.) and write a critical review in response. The appraisal should respond to key disciplinary issues introduced throughout the course), and mimic the tone of a specific industry publication.
Assessment method
Referencing and Critical Analysis
Designed to teach foundational research skills, provide capabilities in critical analysis, and prepare students for a major research essay, this assessment sees students locate four scholarly sources via disciplinary databases or on-campus library collections. Students must judiciously select and correctly reference these sources, conducting critical analysis on one oanalysis, and prepare students for a major research essay, this assessment sees students locate four scholarly sources via disciplinary databases or on-campus library collections. Students must judiciously select and correctly reference these sources, conducting critical analysis on one oanalysis on one of these.
Assessment method
Short Article (The Conversation)
Following a larger essay assessment, students construct a 1000 word article on the same topic of their major assessment piece) intended for publication on the online platform The Conversation. This exercise introduces students to the challenge of writing for a specific audience, and communicating complex concepts with clarity and concision.