This document outlines an assignment for students to participate in an online discussion about proposing a recycling center. It provides roles for students in a simulated consulting group tasked with developing solutions for recycling methods. Students are expected to post messages on the discussion board analyzing their roles and responding to other students' posts. The assignment will be assessed based on students' understanding of the brief, the quality and organization of their ideas, use of references, participation in the discussion, and language/writing style. A rubric is provided to evaluate students' posts.

1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Foundation in Natural and Built Environment (FNBE)
Effective Public Communication [COM 30103]
Assignment: Online Discussion
Assignment
To demonstrate the principles of
communication and behaviour in analyzing
interaction with others, both at individual
and at group levels.
LO
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
student’s 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.
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2. TASKS - METHODOLOGY
Your tasks are as follows:
Assignment type : Online Discussion
Topic / Question: 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 member’s
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-up—strength 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.
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3. MARKING CRITERIA
Online Discussion Rubric:
Category 4 3 2 1 M
Quality of
information
Postings clearly
relate to the main
topic and add new
concepts, info. They
include several
supporting details
and/or examples
Postings clearly
relate to the main
topic. They
provide at least 1
supporting detail
or example.
Postings clearly
relate to the
main topic. No
details and/or
examples are
given.
Postings have
little or nothing
to do with the
main topic or
simply restate
the main
concept.
Critical
Thinking
Postings consistently
enhance the critical
thinking process
through reflection
about issues and
difference
questioning of self
and others.
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.
Reference
material
Postings frequently
refer to textbook
material or other
reliable sources
(books, journal
articles, websites).
Postings show
evidence of having
read textbook,
include at least one
reference to text or
other sources.
Postings show
evidence of
having read
textbook, no
references to any
sources.
Postings include
opinions only, no
evidence of
reading any
reliable sources.
Participation Postings encourage
and facilitate
interaction among
members of the
online community.
Postings respond
to other members
of the online
community.
Postings rarely
interact with or
respond to other
members of the
online
community.
Postings respond
to the main
question of the
discussion
facilitator only.
Language Postings consistently
show appropriate
vocabulary and
writing style.
Postings usually
show appropriate
vocabulary and
writing style.
Postings often
include
inappropriate
vocabulary and
writing style.
Postings
consistently
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
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4. 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-of-
Academic-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
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