This document outlines a team collaboration assignment for a course on digital selves. It discusses how globalization is increasing the use of online collaboration tools in workplaces. Students will be assigned to groups of 4-5 members to complete a collaborative project using social networking and team tools like wikis, blogs, or Second Life. They will develop a plan and conduct an activity on a suggested topic. The assignment is worth 20% of the final grade, with 5% for group work and 15% for individual contributions. Projects are due by mid-September and presentations will be held in Second Life.

1. BHS3000 – Digital Selves
Team Collaboration Assignment
In a globalised workplace factors including the costs associated with interstate and international
travel are driving the increased use of social networking and online collaboration tools. In the
future most organisations will require a level of proficiency in the use of these tools (many
already do!).
The Team Collaboration Assignment will provide you with an opportunity to experience the
challenges and benefits associated with remote collaborative work. The context for the task will
be that I am a client for whom you are developing a plan and conducting and activity. The
activity will require the use of one or more social networking and team collaboration tools to
complete a group task. Plans will need to be presented to me as the client therefore work should
be of a professional standard.
Topics
The topics for the tasks are suggestions only - if you have an idea for a different topic or other
social networking or team collaboration tool that I haven't mentioned then contact me to discuss
your idea. Some suggested topics/activities are:
• Develop a plan for the Second Life Student Centre (what rooms would you have, what
facilities)
• Research an online subculture; possible perspectives include: historical, psychological or
sociological. (Please respect people’s privacy and do not be intrusive or insensitive if you
interview members of sub/alternative cultures in Second Life (or real life)).
• Make a short video that exemplifies an aspect of interpersonal communication that is
affected by computer mediation.
• Plan and conduct an inworld (in Second Life) end of semester party.
Tools
You will need to have at least one planning meeting (probably more!); the preferred location for
team meetings is obviously Second Life however you can also use Blackboard discussion threads
or chat sessions. If you decide you would like to have your meetings in Second Life you will
need to pick a location and let me know if you will be using voice, text, or a combination of the
two so I can organise recording of the sessions for assessment. If you are going to use
Blackboard chat someone will need to capture the chat sessions for assessment.
BHS3000 Digital Selves | Team Assignment 1

2. (Tools – cont.)
Teams should use at least one of the following for collaboration and presentation of their ideas:
Collaboration/Planning
• Wiki (www.pbworks.com or other free service)
• Blackboard discussion
• Blackboard Chat (nominate someone to capture the chat for assessment)
Presentation
• video (http://tiny.cc/oHiX0)
• podcast (http://www.podbean.com/start-podcast?sourceid=goog_66)
• THiNC book (in Second Life - http://thincsl.com/category/products/thinc-book/)
• PowerPoint (to be presented in Second Life)
• Flickr
• YouTube
• Blog
Assessment
You will be assessed on individual and group participation and output. If you use a wiki for
planning or for the presentation of your project each group member will be required to create and
design at least one page of information to the wiki (text and images). As with any scholarly
work, all sources must be correctly cited and referenced. You may use the Harvard reference
style or footnote/endnote style (see Monash Library Tutorial - Citing and Referencing)
Groups should have between 4-5 members.
This assignment is worth 20% of the final mark for the unit. Where your group achieves a
satisfactory solution to the set task, all members of your group will receive 5% toward their final
mark for the unit. You will also be assessed individually on your own contribution to the group's
process of reaching a solution to the task; this individual contribution will count toward 15% of
the final mark for the unit.
Important Dates
End project – Midnight Tuesday 11 Sept (1 week later then advised in the Unit Guide)
In world presentations (if required) – Wednesday 12 Sept
Assessment (marks) - Wednesday 23 Sept
BHS3000 Digital Selves | Team Assignment 2