There are three elements to this assessment task as outlined below.

PART A- GROUP PRESENTATION

A major component of this unit involves working in a group. You will be randomly allocated into a group of approximately 4-5 by week 3 of the term. Active participation in the group task is expected from week 3 to week 12. Your contribution to the group task and your ability to work within the group will be assessed by your peers (see Assessment Part 1b). Please ensure you are prepared for this, and actively communicate with your group members throughout the term.

You will be presented with a series of real-world problems and your group must choose one of these as the focus of your group project. These problems will be posted by an external partner who provides mental health services (for example, local or state government department, or not-for-profit organisations), and represents a significant issue currently faced in the community. Groups must work together as scientist-practitioners, to present an evidence-based feasible solution to the problem. This project represents an opportunity to practice your group work skills, and apply your theoretical understanding of human behaviour into practical ‘real life’ applications that you are likely to face in the workplace.

The outcome should resemble a research proposal or pitch, detailing an innovative way to address the problem. For example, to design an evaluation or intervention that the partner organisation might be able to implement. Solutions must be evidenced-based and feasible. The proposal must be presented in a visual form, as if you are presenting the solution as either (a) employees of the partner organisation presenting to management who have tasked you with finding solution to this problem, or (b) as external providers seeking to win a grant or tender to carry out this work that is being offered by the partner organisation.

Your group’s pitch will be presented via Zoom in week 12 during a conference-style event. Presenting in-person and confidently articulating your ideas represent critical skills required for working in many organisations, and this project seeks to emulate this environment.

The format of the presentation is flexible, and will largely reflect the nature of the problem and solution. Some suggested parts of the pitch might include the background/literature review on the issue, a project logic, service model, evaluation plan, timeline and budget. The process used to come to the solution may also form an important part of the pitch.

Presentations should be around 10 minutes with an additional 5 min for questions from the audience (presenters will be cut off at 12 minutes). Each member of the group is required to present a component of the presentation. The week 12 workshop will be a conference-style event, where groups will present to the class and the partner organisation, so you will need to plan your schedules to be available to attend the event. You will need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator to present a video recording on the day if the entire group are not able to be in attendance. In this instance, available group members should be present for the question time component of the presentation. Formal feedback relating to the presentation will be given by the unit coordinator and informal feedback from the organisational partner.

You will be working closely with the partner organisation throughout the term. Depending on the availability of the partner organisations, there will be at least three planned ‘touch points’ across the term. These represent an opportunity for groups to engage with representatives from the organisation to ask questions and obtain feedback.

Touch point 1: In week one of the term you will meet the representative from the partner organisation who will provide you with a background of the organisation, what the question or issues are, why these issues are important (including the context related to the organisation and the community), and what the partner might do with the information provided. This will help you and your group determine what topic you would like to tackle.

Touch point 2: During one of the workshops, you will get the opportunity to ask the partner organisation questions and check on your ideas (e.g., the feasibility of the idea). If the representative is not available to attend a workshop, the unit coordinator will send the questions to the organisation via email and/or may organise meetings outside of the workshops.

Touch point 3: A representative from the organisation will attend the presentations in week 12 and provide direct feedback to each group and ask questions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Contact with the partner organisation should primarily occur during scheduled touch points. Groups can request to set up a meeting with the organisation outside of this, or can ask questions via email, but this should only occur via/with the facilitation of the unit coordinator (that is, do not contact them directly under any circumstances unless this has been arranged).

PART B- GROUP AND SELF-EVALUATION

Your ability to work in a group setting (communication, collaboration, commitment) will be assessed by yourself and your peers (group members). This will enable your group work skills to be evaluated and help ensure accountability in relation to your role and contribution to the group task. This feedback will be used to evaluate teamwork skills and the eligibility of group members to pass the unit. As such, it is important to be as fair and honest as possible in your assessment.

An evaluation form assessing six criteria will be made available on Moodle for completing this task.

PART C- PERSONAL REFLECTION

You will be required to write a brief reflection in relation to your engagement and experience with the major group project- including such things as engagement with the project, team processes, engagement with the industry representatives, broader professional issues, cultural safety, and how this experience has contributed to your own professional identity, values and future employability goals.

A personal reflection form, with five questions relating to your group work experience, will be made available in Moodle for completing this task. Each response should be between 200 and 400 words.

SUBMISSION OF PARTS B AND C.

To streamline the completion and submission of parts b and c, all forms will be provided to you in one document (or ‘ submission pack’). This way, you only need to download, complete, and upload one document in Moodle.

To achieve a pass for Assessment 1 you will need to achieve at least 70/100. That is, the scores from parts a, b and c must total at least 70. Each part will be graded independently according to the criteria outlined below.

Given the nature of the group task, there is no opportunity to receive a supplementary assessment (SA). However, a re-attempt of part c (personal reflection) may be permitted.

PART A- GROUP PRESENTATION (55%)

This component will be graded out of 55 marks. Marks will be allocated according to the criteria outlined below. All contributing members of the group will receive the same mark and feedback for the presentation.

Organisation (10 marks)

• The introduction is attention-grabbing, and outlines the nature of the presentation.
• The presentation style/format is appropriate for the topic and target audience.
• Information is presented in a balanced and logical sequence (with a clear beginning, middle and end).
• An obvious conclusion is delivered that effectively summarises the presentation and delivers an appropriate and insightful take-home message/s.

Content (20 marks)

• The issue being addressed is clearly detailed (e.g., definitions, examples, context, personal and community impact).
• Presentation appropriately uses and identifies credible sources of information.
• An evidence-based solution to the problem is presented.
• Practical aspects of the intervention are outlined (including timeline and budget).
• A plan for how the intervention will/can be evaluated is discussed.
• The intervention/s identified are tailored to, and feasible for the partner organisation.

Group cohesion (10 marks)

• Each group member presents a component of the presentation
• The group presents as a united team (understand their roles).
• Transitions between speakers are smooth.
• The ability of the group to answer questions during Q&A appropriately and confidently.

Presentation (15 marks)

• Speakers use an effective speaking style that exhibits enthusiasm, maintains good eye contact with the audience and are appropriately animated (e.g., gestures, movement).
• Delivery is creative, engaging, and appropriate.
• Visual aids are well prepared, informative, effective, and not distracting.
• Length of presentation within the suggested time limits.

Informal feedback relating to the presentation will also be given to you from the partner organisation.

PART B- GROUP AND SELF-EVALUATION (15%)

This component will be graded out of 15 marks. You will evaluate each member of your group, as well as yourself on the six criteria and rating scale outlined below.

Each criterion is worth 2.5 marks and will be based on a rating scale from 0.0 to 2.5 (see below). The unit coordinator will take the self and peer scores into account, and provide a score out of 2.5 for each criterion.

Note: Any rating of 0.0 or 1.0 given to your peers will require a written explanation and a follow-up discussion with the unit coordinator.

Criteria

1. Participation in developing ideas and planning project (2.5 marks).

2. Willingness to discuss the ideas of others. (2.5 marks).

3. Cooperation with other group members. (2.5 marks).

4. Interest, engagement and enthusiasm in the project. (2.5 marks).

5. Participation in leading/facilitating discussion. (2.5 marks).

6. Quality of completed work. (2.5 marks).

Rating scale

2.5= Excellent work; was a crucial component to the group’s success

2.0= Very strong work; contributed significantly to group

1.5= Sufficient effort; contributed adequately to group

1.0= Insufficient effort; met minimal standards of a group

0.0= Little or weak effort; was detrimental to group

PART C- PERSONAL REFLECTION (30%)

This component will be graded out of 30 marks. Marks will be allocated according to the criteria outlined below.

It is important that statements relating to experiences and opinions are supported with specific examples. For example, instead of saying ‘our final product was good’, articulate and give examples of why you thought it was good.

Your group (6 marks)

Q1. Summarise the makeup of your group, the topic/issue selected, engagement with the partner organisation, and provide a summary of the final pitch/product (e.g., what was the issue and the nature of your group's solution).

Reflection on experience (12 marks)

Q2. Personal contribution: Describe your personal role in the group, interest and enthusiasm in the project, participation in leading and facilitating discussion, and opinion about the quality of the final product. Provide specific examples. (6 marks).

Q3. Assessment of team experience: Describe how well your group cooperated, communicated, and made decisions, how the group handled challenges, the benefits of groupwork, and challenges of groupwork. Be sure to use specific examples. (6 marks).

Evidence of personal development (12 marks)

Q4. Articulate (using examples) at least one new understanding or insight you have gained about yourself and at least one new understanding about groupwork because of your experience. (6 marks)

Q5. Discusses at least one thing you would do the same and at least one thing you would do differently to improve your teamwork experience in the workplace (providing specific recommendations). (6 marks)

For this assessment task, you will be required to finalise your ePortfolio via the Portfolium website. As part of this process, you will be asked to reflect on your values and current competencies as a psychology graduate and future professional in the field of psychology.

Portfolium is an academic portfolio network allowing you to showcase your education and work accomplishments, and connect with other professionals and organisations. You will be given free access to this account for life. For students commencing the degree from 2021, the ePortfolio/Portfolium was first introduced as part of ‘PSYC11011- Personal and Professional Psychology’, and should have been updated throughout your degree. If you do not currently have a Portolium account/profile, you will need to establish one to complete the task. Resources for creating your portfolio will be provided to you in Moodle.

Use this task to curate an amazing version of yourself to show employers upon graduation. As such, it is important that your profile displays a consistent narrative, and highlights what is unique about you. There will be a minimum number of criteria you need to meet to achieve a pass.

• A Portfolium account and profile, including your name, location, education, and current position. (2 marks)
• Upload an appropriate profile photo, background photo, and tagline text. (2 marks)
• Highlight at least one accomplishment, achievement, certificate, award or experience (2 marks)
• Connection to at least 5 of your colleagues (e.g., from your group task) (2 marks)
• A statement (mini-biography) of at least 150 words in the ‘Introduction’ section of your profile that provides appropriate insight into who you are, what you are currently doing, what you have done or where you have come from, why you are interested in psychology, and your aspirations for the future. (10 marks)
• Upload a resume. (2 marks)

1. A personal statement of at least 150 words, outlining your experience and engagement with the undergraduate degree, your attainment of key graduate capabilities (e.g., skills and knowledge), and how this relates to your values and professional identity. (13 marks)
2. The course learning outcomes. (2 marks)

1. Demonstration of your written communication skills on a topic related to psychology (e.g., essay)
2. Demonstration of your oral communication skills (e.g., oral presentation)
3. A research report or similar demonstrating your knowledge and application of psychological research methods (e.g., research report)
4. An example of when you have applied knowledge and skills of psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals
5. Demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork (e.g., a product from a group task- it can be the group presentation from this unit).

1. The piece of work (e.g., Word document, video file or link to YouTube, Powerpoint)
2. The project task/description
3. A brief reflection about what you learned from the experience, and
4. Why/how this task and learnings is relevant to psychology in the workplace (that is, link the project/artefact to your skills).