Overview of the four available project options for DGTL13005

During this unit students will complete a project or work placement equating to 120 hours (minimum). Students may choose one of the following:

1. Digital Media Product. The development of a digital media product that demonstrates advanced production skills.
2. Portfolio. The development of a portfolio of digital media works to show prospective employers (including new works produced specifically for the portfolio during the term of study).
3. WIL Placement. A digital media-related Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement with an approved organisation.
4. Thesis.  A formally written 6000-word academic research paper with a strong digital media focus.

Overview of the Assignment 1 task 

Students will choose one project type then submit a formal written proposal which provides detail about the project and a proposed scope of works (refer below to 'Proposal Document Requirements'). 

To satisfy the criteria for Assignment 1, students must:

1. Submit a professionally presented project proposal in Microsoft Word/PowerPoint format that provides an overview of the proposed project or work placement.
2. Participate in the mandatory online Zoom session in week 4 to receive feedback about their proposed project from staff.

Notes about Assignment 1:

• The 'academic supervisor' will generally be the unit coordinator. However, in some instances it may be a digital media staff member, or external client depending on the nature of the individual project / work placement.
• The proposal document should be succinct; no more than two pages if written (1000 words), and no more than five slides if presented as a PowerPoint. Refer to 'Project Proposal Requirements' (below) for specific information.
• Participation in the week 4 Zoom session is compulsory. The purpose of this sessions is to get feedback from academic staff as to the scope of your project, and to facilitate conversation about issues and opportunities. It is intended as a formative, open session. If you have a legitimate reason for non-attendance you will need to negotiate an alternative appointment with the unit coordinator. Details about how to connect using Zoom are available via the unit website.
• Although you may have started your project in consultation with the unit coordinator, you are required to participate in the week 4 Zoom session to receive early guidance and feedback about your proposal.
• Ensure that you familiarise yourself with Assignment 2 at the start of term as all activities (except academic research project) have additional tasks i.e., weekly reflective journal, written report and 5-minute presentation which must be considered as part of your project planning process but DO NOT form part of the 120-hours of project work. 

PROPOSAL DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS

Project option 1: Digital media product (120 hours work)

If your project involves the development of a digital media product to demonstrate advanced production skills, the project details such as the specific discipline, product that will be created, and the intended audience for the product (e.g. self or client) must first be approved by the unit coordinator.

A 'Digital Media Product' proposal will include:

• background information about the project or the inspiration for the product, and the intended audience;
• a description of the digital media product (deliverables) that will be created (e.g. video, animation, digital game, website, mobile application, 3D modelled environment or characters, PDF publication);
• details of your proposed work activities;
• the duration of the project, a schedule of activities, and associated deliverables i.e. a Gantt chart, spreadsheet or similar which explains how you will use the mandatory 120 hours and what you will produce.
• the resources that are required to complete the project;
• the desired learning outcomes i.e. what you intend to achieve by the end of the project, and
• the name and contact details of your academic supervisor, or external client, who will provide a report on your performance at the end of the term.

Project option 2: Portfolio of digital media works (120 hours work)

If your project involves the development of a portfolio of digital media works to show prospective employers, the project details such as the digital media works that will be created and the manner in which they will be presented, must first be approved by the unit coordinator. To develop your portfolio this term, you will develop a series of new digital media works which showcase your areas of digital media strength, or align with your proposed career. You may supplement these pieces with a few select, high-quality pieces that you have previously created, to form a professionally presented portfolio. The intended endstate is that you could use the portfolio to present whilst seeking employment. 

A 'Portfolio of Digital Media Works' proposal will include:

• a description of the career path that you intend to pursue and the kinds of employers who will eventually view your portfolio;
• a description of the digital media works that will be developed and showcased, and how they will be presented (e.g. DVD show-reel, online video, website, animation, comic book, InDesign document etc);
• details of your proposed work activities;
• the duration of the project, a schedule of activities, and associated deliverables i.e. a Gantt chart, spreadsheet or similar which explains how you will use the mandatory 120 hours and what you will produce.
• the resources that are required to complete the project;
• the desired learning outcomes i.e. what you intend to achieve by the end of the project, and
• the name and contact details of your academic supervisor, or external mentor, who will provide a report on your performance at the end of the term.

Project option 3: Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement (120 hours work)

If your project involves a digital media-related Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement with an external organisation, the project details such as the host organisation and the work activities that will be undertaken, must first be approved by the unit coordinator.

A 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL)' proposal will include:

• background information about the workplace, its location, and its operations;
• specific digital media discipline(s) that you will be using during the placement;
• details of your proposed work activities (if known, else provide as much information as possible);
• the duration of the work placement and a schedule of activities (if known, else provide as much information as possible);
• the desired learning outcomes i.e., what you intend to achieve by the end of the project;
• a completed copy of the CQUniversity Practicum Insurance Form (available from the unit website), and
• the name and contact details of your workplace supervisor who will provide a report on your performance at the end of the term.

Notes regarding WIL placements:

• Students are required to have a grade point average (GPA) of 5 or above to be considered for a WIL placement with an external organisation. This is university policy, and is not negotiable.
• Students who are interested in pursuing a WIL placement (must have a digital media focus) are encouraged to contact organisations in their region directly before, or in the initial week, of term 2.
• Although the unit coordinator may be aware of some WIL positions, these are traditionally offered in regions surrounding the core CQUniversity campuses in Central and North Queensland. The unit coordinator will make a list of any such opportunities available during week 1.
• If you are already employed, you may consider completing a project within your regular work environment in consultation with the unit coordinator. In this situation, the project must be outside the scope of your normal duties, and it must have the support of your workplace supervisor. For example, a student who is a normally employed as part-time marketing officer might arrange to work on web design for 10 hours per week for their project.
• Work placements are not normally paid. Any payment between an employer and student is subject to individual agreement between that employer and student.
• Work placements must be for no less than 120 hours. How you complete the hours for your work placement will depend upon the project, your circumstances, and the preferences of your workplace supervisor. Some students complete block placements by working full-time for a period of three or four weeks. Other students work for two days per week over a period of eight or nine weeks. The start and end dates of your work placement can be negotiated with the unit coordinator.
• Employers often ask students to arrange insurance cover for themselves while they are engaged in work experience or other study-related work activities. The Practicum Insurance Form and the Practicum Insurance Student Information sheet, available from the unit web site, provide details of the insurance cover that CQUniversity has arranged for students who undertake approved unpaid voluntary work experience. The completed form should be given to your workplace supervisor at the beginning of the project, and a copy should be sent to the unit coordinator. If any matter involving insurance arises during your work placement, please provide details to the unit coordinator by email and copy the message to insurance@cqu.edu.au.

Project option 4: Thesis (120 hours work)

The thesis is a formal 6000-word academic research project with a strong digital media focus that has been devised in consultation with your research supervisor. The thesis will include essential background information, the purpose of the study, the research questions, the significance of the study, a review of relevant literature, the research method, results, discussion and a conclusion. The exact structure of the dissertation will depend on the nature of the research project and the research method that was employed.

An 'Academic Research' proposal will include:

• background information about the research problem or question that will be investigated;
• the aims of the project and a statement of the research problem or question;
• a broad overview of scholarly literature that is relevant to your project;
• an outline of your research design i.e. how you plan to investigate the research problem or question;
• the duration of the project and a schedule of activities;
• the resources that are required to complete the project, and
• the name and contact details of your research supervisor who will provide a report on your performance at the end of the term.

• This is a pass/fail assessment.
• A pass is based on the unit coordinator's opinion that the project can be successfully achieved, taking into consideration known constraints e.g. time-frame, proposed scope of works etc.
• Re-submissions are permitted.
• Students MUST attend a compulsory Zoom video conference in week 4 to gain feedback about their project proposal (refer to unit profile / website).

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:

• Gen AI may only be used as specified in the assignment instructions in Moodle.
• Gen AI content can be used to generate concepts, ideas and general structures which may inform portions of your project.
• GenAI can be used to proofread your proposal.
• Gen AI cannot be used for the creation of the written proposal. 
• If you are unsure, ask the Unit Coordinator.

Assignment 2 requires you to PRESENT the outcomes of the approved 120 hour project that you proposed in your Assignment 1 project proposal.

The specific deliverables you will need to present will vary based on your project's nature, which will be detailed in the following sections. While each project is unique, one core requirement remains constant: you must demonstrate the work you've completed.

Deliverables: Digital media product

If your project involves the development of a digital media product that demonstrates advanced production skills, you must submit the following outcomes for assessment:

1. the digital media product that was created (e.g. video, animation, web site, mobile application, PDF publication);
2. weekly reflective journal containing regular entries that document your 120 project hours, and provide critically reflective thoughts about your experience during the project and associated tasks, and
3. 1000-word formal written report (including a minimum of five good quality references) which provides a critically reflective overview of your project. The report will evaluate the effectiveness of your approach, paying particular attention to your inspiration, new knowledge and skills that have been gained and lessons learned.  
4. Five (5) minute live presentation about your project which will be delivered in the week 12 Zoom session. If students are unable to physically present during the Zoom class they MUST contact the Unit Coordinator to explore alternatives. 

Deliverables: Portfolio of digital media works

If your project involves the development of a portfolio of digital media works to show prospective employers, you must submit the following outcomes for assessment:

1. the portfolio of digital media works that was created;
2. weekly reflective journal containing regular entries that document your 120 project hours, and provide critically reflective thoughts about your experience during the project and associated tasks, and
3. 1000-word formal written report (including a minimum of five good quality references) which provides a critically reflective overview of your project. The report will evaluate the effectiveness of your approach, paying particular attention to your inspiration, new knowledge and skills that have been gained and lessons learned.  
4. Five (5) minute live presentation about your project which will be delivered in the week 12 Zoom session. If students are unable to physically present during the Zoom class they MUST contact the Unit Coordinator to explore alternatives. 

Deliverables: Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement

If your project involves a digital media-related work placement with an external organisation, you must submit the following outcomes for assessment:

1. the portfolio of work that was produced during the placement;
2. weekly reflective journal containing regular entries that document your 120 placement hours, and provide critically reflective thoughts about your experience during the project and associated tasks, and
3. 1000-word formal written report (including a minimum of five good quality references) which provides a critically reflective overview of your project. The report will evaluate the effectiveness of your approach, paying particular attention to your inspiration, new knowledge and skills that have been gained and lessons learned.  
4. Five (5) minute live presentation about your project which will be delivered in the week 12 Zoom session. If students are unable to physically present during the Zoom class they MUST contact the Unit Coordinator to explore alternatives. 

Deliverables: Thesis

1. If your project involves academic research with a digital media focus, you must submit a 6000-word formally written paper on a topic that has been devised in consultation with your research supervisor.

For example, the thesis may include the following:

• essential background information;
• the purpose of the study;
• the research questions;
• the significance of the study;
• a review of relevant literature from high-quality peer-reviewed sources e.g. education / industry journals by leading practitioners;
• the research method;
• results;
• discussion, and
• a conclusion.

However, the exact structure of the dissertation will depend on the nature of the research project and the research method that was employed.

2. Five (5) minute live presentation about your research project which will be delivered in the week 12 Zoom session. If students are unable to physically present during the Zoom class they MUST contact the Unit Coordinator to explore alternatives. 

A note about the weekly reflective journals

All of the project options, with the exception of the thesis, require students to submit a weekly reflective journal containing regular entries that document your thoughts and experiences during the project. Reflective writing involves describing your thoughts, actions, and experiences in an academic manner. There is no definitive right or wrong way to reflect, as it's a subjective process that varies from person to person and task to task. Critical reflections don't need to be formal or reference academic literature unless necessary. 

A reflective writing model: The Three Whats
A straightforward method for critical reflection is known as 'the three whats':

• What happened?
• So what?
• Now what?

Using this framework, you can base your weekly blog posts on these questions.

Comment on your progress, problems you have encountered, and the skills and knowledge you have gained. You should be aiming to improve the quality of your work and your project experience every day.

For example, imagine that you encountered a difficulty on the first day of a work placement whereby your supervisor's directions lacked clarity and you felt uncomfortable asking questions. In that case, you should make a note of the incident, how you felt about it, and what you are going to do to improve the situation.

Reflective writing helps solidify understanding by connecting prior knowledge with current learning.

Journal as evidence of project hours

In addition to reflecting, also use the journal to keep track of how you have spent your 120 project hours. Alternatively, you may like to use a spreadsheet or application to do this if you prefer but you must include a log of your hours as part of your deliverables.

Additional information

If you need further information, the University of Waterloo (link) has an excellent page about this process.

The assessment criteria will vary depending on whether students select the media product, work placement, or research topic. Marking matrices are available on the DGTL13005 website.

Generally, assessment criteria relates to:

• adherence to the requirements of the task;
• evidence of work undertaken, and a clear explanation of how the 120 hours allocated to the project have been spent;
• quality of digital media assets (deliverables) produced;
• quality of writing and referencing;
• evidence of improvement/learning, and 
• overall presentation & professionalism.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:

• Gen AI may only be used as specified in the assignment instructions in Moodle.
• Gen AI content can be used to generate concepts, ideas and general structures.
• GenAI can be used to assist with creating code for a game or app. If so, you will be expected to justify how it has been used.
• Gen AI can be used for proofreading.
• Gen AI cannot be used to create media assets (art, sound, animation, 3D models, videos etc) for your project deliverables.
• If you are unsure, ask the Unit Coordinator.

This component of the assessment will generally be completed by the unit coordinator who will appraise your work using industry, professional or academic standards.

If your project involved the participation of an external client, workplace, research or academic supervisor, the unit coordinator will liaise with that individual to obtain the necessary information to complete the appraisal.  Students doing an external work placement must submit the contact details of their immediate workplace supervisor with their proposal (keeping these details up to date is the student's responsibility). The unit coordinator/academic supervisor will contact the workplace or project supervisor after reviewing the student's portfolio submission.

Once the supervisor report has been received from an external supervisor, or written by the unit coordinator, it will be uploaded into the unit website i.e. students do not need to upload anything for this component of the assessment.

The supervisor appraisal form is available on the DGTL13005 website.

• Assessment criteria will vary depending on whether the student has chosen a work placement, media product or research project.
• Criteria will include ability, reliability, response to feedback, and presentation.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
As the supervisor appraisal form is completed by either a student's workplace/academic supervisor the potential misuse of AI is not a relevant consideration for this assessment task.