SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Foundation in Natural and Built Environment (FNBE)

Effective Public Communication [COM 30103]
Assignment: Online Discussion
LO
Assignment

To demonstrate the principles of

communication and behaviour in analyzing
interaction with others, both at individual
and at group levels.

As per stated
in the module

10%

Online
Discussion

Week 4
23rd February, 2016

INTRODUCTION

This assignment evaluates students academic writing skills. It also evaluates the
students ability to research information to support the arguments proposed in the
blog, to cite the sources of information and also to provide a list of references.
Additionally, it allows for increased feelings of ownership of knowledge and
learning that supports realistic and authentic ways to participate in learning.
Referencing:
All persons, books and other sources of information are to be referenced in accordance with the
APA Style.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS ASSIGNMENT

The objectives of this project are as follows:

To demonstrate the principles of communication and behaviour in analysing interaction with others,
both at individual and at group levels.

LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THIS ASSIGNMENT

The learning outcomes of this assignment are:

Apply the principles of communication and behaviour in analyzing interaction with others, both at
individual and at group levels.

To be aware of the importance of cultural differences and respect cultural differences as well as to
build healthy and positive relationships with fellow students, co-workers and clients.

To communicate the relevant ideas in a clear, logical and appropriate academic English.

1|Page

TASKS - METHODOLOGY
Your tasks are as follows:
Assignment type :
Topic / Question:

Online Discussion
What is your say?

Your team has been hired as a consultant to propose a recycling center in Taman Raya, a housing
area in the heart of the city. The system that will be proposed by your committee should ease
pollution as well as provide alternative ways to promote recycling and to reduce wastage. Your task
is to come up with future solutions for recycling methods for the center. Justify your answers by
looking into the following areas according to the roles given to your team. You are required to post
messages in the discussion board provided in TiMEs. You should analyse your team members
messages and link them wherever possible with your answers.
Roles

Duties

1. Project Manager

Overseeing the team and provide suggestion where

possible.

2. Environmental engineer

Suggesting ways to protect and keep the environment

clean.

3. Scientist

Suggest new environmental friendly products or

inventions

4. Quantity Surveyor

Financial solutions

5. Architect

Advice on the construction of the center

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT
Each group will be required to conduct discussion online for three weeks. All discussion will be
done on TimES. Upon completion of the discussion, a summary of the discussion will be required
for submission.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The assessment for this assignment will be based on:
Your demonstrated understanding of the brief.
The content of the write-upstrength of central idea and relevance to the question.
Clear and coherent organization of ideas and argument.
Ability to use scholarly references to support arguments and ideas.
Grammar and mechanics.

2|Page

MARKING CRITERIA

Online Discussion Rubric:

Category
Quality of
information

Critical
Thinking

Reference
material

Participatio
n

Language

3|Page

4
Postings clearly
relate to the
main topic and
add new
concepts, info.
They include
several
supporting
details and/or
examples
Postings
consistently
enhance the
critical thinking
process through
reflection about
issues and
difference
questioning of
self and others.
Postings
frequently refer
to textbook
material or other
reliable sources
(books, journal
articles,
websites).
Postings
encourage and
facilitate
interaction
among
members of the
online
community.
Postings
consistently

3
Postings
clearly relate
to the main
topic. They
provide at
least 1
supporting
detail or
example.

2
Postings
clearly relate
to the main
topic. No
details and/or
examples are
given.

1
Postings
have little or
nothing to do
with the
main topic or
simply
restate the
main
concept.

Postings show
individual
critical
thinking, but
do not apply
reflection and
questioning to
others
statements.

Postings
respond to
questions
from others
but do not
show
reflection or
questioning
of ideas.

No response
to questions
from others.

Postings show
evidence of
having read
textbook,
include at least
one reference
to text or other
sources.
Postings
respond to
other members
of the online
community.

Postings show
evidence of
having read
textbook, no
references to
any sources.

Postings
include
opinions only,
no evidence
of reading
any reliable
sources.

Postings
rarely
interact with
or respond to
other
members of
the online
community.
Postings
often include

Postings
respond to
the main
question of
the
discussion
facilitator
only.
Postings
consistently

Postings
usually show

show
appropriate
vocabulary and
writing style.

appropriate
vocabulary and
writing style.

inappropriate
vocabulary
and writing
style.

show
inappropriate
vocabulary
and writing
style.

Final Discussion Mark:

This rubric adapted from rubric developed by Amy Finch PhD and Liane Connelly PhD, RN 12/01
Fort Hays State University

SUGGESTED REFERENCES
Rueckert , R. (20120- Benefits of Academic Blogging.pdf. Retrieved on 11th September,2012.
Scribd.Inc. Available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/100899679/Rachel-Rueckert-Benefits-ofAcademic-Blogging-pdf
Chan,D. (2012).Benefits of blogging in the classroom . Retrieved on 18th September, 2012.
Available at http://osiriseducational.co.uk/osirisblog/benefits-of-blogging-in-the-classroom

SUGGESTED COVER PAGE / AUTHORSHIP

Should be well designed with the necessary information;
[Name / all in group]
[Id]
[Module]
[Session] January, 2016

4|Page