Unit Outline

Digital technologies such as platforms and apps have an influence on contemporary life, culture, how we form communities, and professional and interpersonal communication. This unit will introduce you to perspectives on cloud-based technologies, digital imaging, gaming and virtual reality platforms. You will consider the ethical and safety implications within digital environments, and seek to understand the relationship between our social practices and digital networks and cultures.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Explore current and emerging digital technologies in media and communications
2	Describe the features and implications of digital technologies for professional and interpersonal communication
3	Appraise the ethical and safety implications of communication in digital environments
4	Reflect on your everyday experiences of social and locative media

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Annotated Bibliography	Week 6	25 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Reflective Journal	Week 10	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Digital Artefact Analysis	Week 14	45 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Annotated Bibliography

Task Description:

Write an annotated bibliography – a list of citations accompanied by a brief descriptive paragraph – on the emergence of digital cultures as a field of scholarship. Choose a specific topic narrow enough to allow for an in-depth exploration. Follow each citation with a concise annotation (200 words) that includes a brief summary of the source's main arguments, methodology, and key findings and an evaluation of the source's reliability, credibility, and relevance to your research.

Task Length:

5 entries over 5 weeks (1000 words)

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select appropriate sources on a specific topic within literature on digital cultures	LO1, LO2
2	Annotate according to conventions of an annotated bibliography	LO1, LO2
3	Summarise content of source	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Reflective Journal

Task Description:

Create a reflective journal on your personal digital media use. You might focus on the platforms, devices, and types of content you engage with, and the time you spend. Consider the purpose of your use (work, socialising, information seeking, etc.) and reflect on how the interactions you share on social media make you feel. Identify any boundaries you set yourself and any changes that you observe in your behaviour over the semester.

Task Length:

1500 words (average 150-200 words per week between weeks 2–10)

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Reflect on your use of digital media in a journal entry	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	Critique your thinking about digital media	LO2, LO4
3	Engage with concepts introduced in the course	LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Make regular journal entries	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Digital Artefact Analysis

Task Description:

Choose a digital artefact (website, app, social media platform, video game, etc.). Provide a brief description including purpose and audience before critiquing design elements including user interface and experience. Assess whether users are exposed to ethical and safety concerns, drawing on appropriate academic sources to support your opinion. How are these concerns mitigated and why is this important?

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Summarise digital artefact’s purpose and intended audience	LO2
2	Describe the artefact’s design features and the user experience it offers	LO2
3	Assess any ethical and safety concerns related to use of this digital artefact	LO3
4	Cite sources you consult in making this assessment	LO1

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.