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.
