Essay OR Report: 1,800 words (40 Marks)

Using the document templates in Week 5 as a guide, your task is to produce either a written essay or a business report on the following topic:

Topic:

Using the information on p.12 of the unit text (Different age groups: baby boomers to digital natives), discuss the likely communication preferences of any two groups (for example, Baby Boomers and Gen Y). With reference to the learning materials in weeks 1- 4, analyse these communication differences with specific attention to Audience, Message, Channel and Noise.

Write a 1,800 word essay or report on this topic as a Word document (no zipped files, pdf or rtf files). Attach a copy of the assignment marking sheet at the end (after your references).

You are to use a minimum of five (5) CARS compliant sources in addition to the unit text in the referencing of your assignment. Your sources should include at least two (2) journal articles accessed from the Library databases. You are to use the American Psychological Association (APA) style of referencing.

CARS checklist

C = is the source CREDIBLE? Does it make sense? Is it a place that usually provides unbiased/impartial information?

A = is the source ACCURATE? Is it up to date? Are the statistics/data recent or relatively 'fresh'?

R = is the source RELIABLE? Is it a place you can always count on to be correct and trustworthy?

S = is the source SUBSTANTIATED? Do you know who wrote/designed/hosts it? Do you have a name you can check up on?

Note: The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text referencing, direct quotations and words contained within tables that are in the body of the assignment.

Further details on this assessment and a criteria sheet are provided on the Moodle unit website. Please review all assessment information before beginning this assignment.

This assessment task relates to the general assessment criteria below:

• Written argument
• Use of sources to support argument
• Structure
• Writing standard
• Referencing

Weekly Engagement Reflections: Minimum of 100-150 words per week (2 marks per reflection, total of 20 marks)

Specifically, you will write a brief reflection each week (Weeks 1-10 only). Each reflection should identify a piece of knowledge you have learned from that week's materials or readings and give a brief discussion of why you feel it will help you, as well as an example of where you can use this information in your studies or private life.

The weekly reflection activity link is located at the bottom of each of the weekly modules (Weeks 1-10). Do not submit your reflections via the assignment submission on Moodle, only through the weekly links.

Each reflection is worth a maximum of 2 marks, the total mark being calculated the end of Week 12. Teaching staff will review the reflections on a regular basis to ensure effective learning. Individualised feedback will not normally be given unless there is a problem.

All weekly reflections should be completed by 6.00 pm on Friday of Week 11. Nothing submitted after that date will be marked.

As a general rule, for every reflection you submit that meets the task requirement, you will be automatically awarded 2 marks. If your submitted reflection does not meet the task requirements, you will receive an email advising you of this and your attempt will be deleted, enabling you to have another try.

1. Engagement with learning materials
2. Writing standard
3. Written argument
4. Critical thinking

Group Writing Tasks: three written tasks per group member @ 350 words each (total word count approx. 3,000 words) (40 marks)

Working in groups of up to three, you will need to set up a collaborative Google document. You will need to give equal access to the document to all group members, as well as allow access to your unit coordinator or tutor. Once the Google document has been created, each group member must select three of the following nine tasks. When the selection has been made, the individual member will write a 350-word response for each of their three chosen tasks. You will need to include your name (by-line) with each of your tasks.

Each task should also be given a title and should be supported by a minimum of two CARS-compliant sources of information, one of which should be a journal article.

Task 1: Locate a video advertisement for a health or wellbeing product (e.g gym memberships, fitness tracking devices, skincare etc.). Discuss the ways in which the advertisement's key messages are communicated using the medium of video (e.g. tone, language, sound, non-verbal, colour, etc.). Include the video link in your response. (350 words)

Task 2: Discuss the key issues of ethical behaviour in the workplace (350 words)

Task 3: Open one of your social media feeds and consider what is present. Explain how noise affects this piece of visual communication. (350 words)

Task 4: Lawson, Gill, Feekery, and Witsel (2019) outline 14 challenges relating to collaborative work (p.148-155). Discuss three of these including ways these challenges could be overcome. (350 words)

Task 5: Explain how cultural stereotyping can be a barrier to effective communication. (350 words)

Task 6: Lawson, Gill, Feekery, and Witsel (2019) ask "How does the ability to use emotions relate to communication?" (p.223). Analyse this question in 350 words.

Task 7: Complete the Typology test in Week 10. Discuss the usefulness of understanding your personal strengths and weaknesses when working in a group. (350 words)

Task 8: Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwQEEt4KATk. Identify what non-verbal communication is being displayed and explain how non-verbal communication can impact the delivery of a message. (350 words)

Task 9: Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATfY8dvbuFg. Identify the issues with this oral presentation and offer suggestions for improvement. (350 words)

Interest and focus can be added by including different types of media (e.g. written text, hyperlinks, photographs, diagrams, etc.). Remember that all external media used must be attributed (referenced).

It is recommended that group members proofread, review and offer feedback on each other's written tasks in order to achieve a higher overall mark for the assignment. Collaborative working tools built into the Google docs platform makes this very straightforward. The overall grade for students will consist of both a group mark (the content) and an individual mark (contribution to the group).

Include an APA reference list at the bottom of each task of sources you have used in that task, including audio and visual credits.

Note: The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last work of the conclusion. It includes in-text referencing, direct quotations and words contained within tables that are in the body of the assessment. It excludes the title and the reference list.

Students will be put into groups by the Unit Coordinators. Further specifications of the group work component and assignment requirements are detailed on Moodle. Please review all assessment information before beginning this assignment.

This assessment task relates to the general assessment criteria below:

1. Writing standard, presentation and structure
2. Attention to requirements of task
3. Research and referencing
4. Group work