Advanced Communication

COMM5001 Advanced Communication, January 2022 Ass2 ©SCU College, CRICOS Provider 01241G p.1
Advanced Communication COMM5001
ASSESSMENT 2: Findings

Assessment type: Word count: Weighting: Due:

Short written response 3 x 200-word paragraphs; TOTAL 600 words (+/- 10%, excluding references) 30% Monday, 27 March 2023, on or before 9:00 am (AEDT / NSW time)

Learning Outcomes assessed in this task

LO1:	Demonstrate an understanding and control of a range of written academic texts appropriate for postgraduate study (Module 2 & 3) Use a range of academic vocabulary and grammatical structures to communicate ideas at a level appropriate for postgraduate study (Module 2 & 3) Demonstrate an understanding of academic integrity practices involving text ownership and authorship, through appropriate use of summarizing, paraphrasing, in-text citation and referencing (Module 1, 2 & 3) Use a range of digital literacy tools and practices to appropriately access, assess and disseminate on
LO2:
LO3:
LO4:

line information (Module 1, 2 & 3)
Rationale
In this assessment, you will demonstrate your understanding of the topics covered in Modules 1-3, by writing
three paragraphs and a reference list. These paragraphs will form part of the Findings sections of your report
(Assessment 3).You will also use the reference list you create for these paragraphs as part of the final
reference list for your report (Assessment 3).
Task
Step 1. Read the report topic and instructions below. Note that you will address this same topic in both
Assessment 2 and Assessment 3.
Image: Freepik.com
Topic:
Advances in technology and recent global events have changed the way in which people access education.
These conditions have led to an increase in online education for students around the world. Students can
now access a wide range of education courses from the comfort of their own homes, but the online
education environment can be difficult to navigate, leading to a number of potential problems.
Instructions:
You are a consultant to an Australian-based education provider, AusEducation*, who has a
range of domestic and international students enrolled in its courses. AusEducation is about
COMM5001 Advanced Communication, January 2022 Ass2 ©SCU College, CRICOS Provider 01241G p.2
to launch a new range of online education courses. To help AusEducation ensure their
students have the best online education experience, you have been asked to investigate
potential problems domestic and international students face when studying online. You
have also been asked to outline strategies to alleviate these problems and make
recommendations to AusEducation on what they can do to ensure their online students have
a quality experience.
*This is not a real company
Step 2. After brainstorming some of your own ideas on problems and strategies, locate at least four (4)
academic sources on the topic. You MUST use 3 (sources) from myReadings and you must locate at least 1
credible academic source independently. It is important that the source/s you select (a) provide evidence or
examples of problems students (domestic and international) face when studying online, and (b) provide
evidence or examples of strategies that reduce the impact of these problems. The sources you use must:
• be credible (Module 2)
• be published within the last ten (10) years
• include at least one source that you locate independently, ie. that are not from the myReadings list
Step 3. Using the PEEL or Burger paragraph models (Module 2), write three well-constructed and supported
paragraphs
• one 200-word paragraph outlining the problems domestic students face when studying online,
• one 200-word paragraph outlining the problems international students face when studying online
AND
• one 200-word paragraph outlining the strategies that reduce the impact of some of the problems
identified in the paragraphs above.
Within each paragraph:
• you must include at least two paraphrases/summaries (use Harvard referencing)
• do NOT use more than 1 direct quote in each paragraph (no more than 10% of your overall word
count can be quotes)
Step 4. Add a reference list at the end (Module 1 & 3). This should include a full reference for each cited
source (use Harvard referencing)
Step 5. Thoroughly check your work against the marking criteria and the instructions in this document. Then
run at least one draft of your assessment through Turnitin to check for academic integrity issues. When you
are finished editing and proofreading your assessment, upload a final version to Turnitin before the due
date/time.
Style and formatting requirements
• Avoid personal/subjective language (I/me/we etc.), casual/colloquial language, figures of speech, and
rhetorical questions
• Use Harvard referencing style
• Use 11 or 12pt font, Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial
• Use 1.5 or 2.0 line spacing
• Footer with student name and ID number as well as the page number
• Include a title page which includes: Assignment 2: Findings; your full name; student ID number;
tutor’s full name; date of submission. Do not include a footer or a page number on the title page.
COMM5001 Advanced Communication, January 2022 Ass2 ©SCU College, CRICOS Provider 01241G p.3
How to structure your assessment
In Module 4, you will learn more about report structure. For this assessment, please use the following as a
guide.
Findings 1: Issues with online learning (or another appropriate heading)
1.1 Domestic students (or add a sub-heading that summarises the paragraph below)
One paragraph of approx. 200 words outlining problems domestic students face when studying online, with
cited evidence and examples to support.
(A blank line should be placed between paragraphs.)
1.2 International students (or add a sub-heading that summarises the paragraph below)
One paragraph of approx. 200 words outlining problems international students face when studying online,
with cited evidence and examples to support.
(A blank line should be placed between paragraphs.)
Findings 2: Strategies to reduce online learning issues for domestic/international students (or another
appropriate heading)
2.1 Add a sub-heading that summarises the paragraph below
One paragraph of approx. 200 words outlining strategies to reduce the problems outlined in 1.1 above, with
cited evidence and examples to support.
(Start the reference list on a new page)
References
This should include a full reference for each cited source (use Harvard referencing)
COMM5001 Advanced Communication, January 2022 Ass2 ©SCU College, CRICOS Provider 01241G p.4
Marking criteria

Criteria	High Distinction (85-100%)	Distinction (75-84%)	Credit (65-74%)	Pass (50-64%)	Fail (0-49%)
Paragraph structure (LO1) 40%	The paragraphs demonstrate excellent unity, cohesion and connection to the topic, as described in Module 3. Each paragraph is focused around a clear and relevant key idea. Topic and concluding sentences are unified and highly effective at introducing and re-emphasising each key idea. The explanations, evidence and examples within each paragraph provide highly relevant support for the key idea, and are logically sequenced with very effective transitions. Suitable word counts for each paragraph.	The paragraphs demonstrate very good unity, cohesion and connection to the topic, as described in Module 3. Each paragraph is focused around a clear and relevant key idea. Topic and concluding sentences are unified and effective at introducing and re emphasising each key idea. The explanations, evidence and examples within each paragraph provide relevant support for the key idea, and are logically sequenced with effective transitions. Suitable word counts for each paragraph.	The paragraphs demonstrate sound unity, cohesion and connection to the topic, as described in Module 3. Each paragraph is focused around a clear and relevant key idea. Topic and concluding sentences are unified and mostly effective at introducing and re-emphasising each key idea. The explanations, evidence and examples within each paragraph provide relevant support for the key idea, and are mostly logically sequenced with suitable transitions. Suitable word counts for each paragraph.	The paragraphs demonstrate satisfactory unity, cohesion and connection to the topic, as described in Module 3. Each paragraph is focused around a key idea; however, relevance and clarity could be improved. Topic and concluding sentences tend to be unified and attempt to introduce and re-emphasise each key idea. The explanations, evidence and examples within each paragraph provide some support for the key idea; however, relevance, logic and transitions could be improved. Word count is satisfactory.	The paragraphs do not demonstrate satisfactory unity, cohesion and connection to the topic, as described in Module 3. Paragraphs are not sufficiently focused around a key idea. Topic and concluding sentences are missing or do not communicate a clear idea. The paragraph lacks sufficient explanations, evidence and examples to support the point being made. Transitions are not used and logical connections between ideas are not achieved. Word count is insufficient.
Research (LO4) 15%	Highly proficient ability to access and evaluate relevant appropriate sources as described in Module 2. All sources are academic and credible.	Proficient ability to access and evaluate appropriate sources as described in Module 2. Almost all sources are academic and credible.	Sound ability to access and evaluate appropriate sources as described in Module 2. Most sources are academic and credible.	Satisfactory ability to access and evaluate appropriate sources as described in Module 2. Some sources are academic and credible.	Unsatisfactory ability to access and evaluate appropriate sources as described in Module 2. No or few sources are credible. Has not used a minimum of three sources from myReadings OR has not found a minimum of 1 source independently.
Summarising, paraphrasing, quoting and referencing (LO3) 30%	Sophisticated ability to summarise, paraphrase, quote and reference appropriately as described in Module 3. In-text citations and the reference list fully conform to Harvard style. All sources cited are listed in the reference list and vice versa.	Strong ability to summarise, paraphrase, quote and reference appropriately as described in Module 3. In-text citations and the reference list conform to Harvard style apart from a few minor errors. All sources cited are listed in the reference list and vice versa.	Good ability to summarise, paraphrase, quote and reference appropriately as described in Module 3. Most in-text citations and the reference list conform to Harvard style apart from some minor errors. All sources cited are listed in the reference list and vice versa.	Satisfactory ability to summarise, paraphrase, quote and reference appropriately as described in Module 3. In-text citations and the reference list generally conform to Harvard style although there are multiple minor errors. There may also be a cited source not listed in the reference list and vice versa.	Unsatisfactory ability to summarise, paraphrase, quote and reference appropriately as described in Module 3. In-text citations and the reference list have multiple errors and do not conform to Harvard style. Numerous cited sources are not listed in the reference list and vice versa.
Academic Writing: Vocab & grammar (LO2) 15%	Ideas conveyed clearly using a broad range of precise academic vocabulary and grammatical structures. Errors (spelling, grammar & punctuation) are few and never impede communication.	A wide range of appropriate and accurate academic vocabulary and grammatical structures used. Excellent control of academic register with minor errors in word choice. No spelling errors. Errors (grammar & punctuation) are rare and do not impede communication.	Word choice and use of grammatical structures is generally appropriate and non- repetitive, though there are some appropriacy/accuracy issues. Some errors in academic register may be present. A few form/spelling errors. Errors (grammar & punctuation) rarely impede communication.	Vocabulary use/word choice and sentence structures (mostly simple) sufficient. Some inappropriate word choices, occasional lack of control of academic register and errors with more complex sentences. Errors (spelling, grammar & punctuation) may occasionally impede communication.	Vocabulary use/word choice insufficient. Many inappropriate word choices, and regular lack of control of academic register. Mostly simple sentence structures used with many errors, more complex sentences rarely used, and mostly with errors. Punctuation errors are regular. Errors impede communication.