Assignment booklet 2 Printable page generated Thursday, 16 Jan 2014, 14:50 Assignment booklet 2 Tutor-marked assignment T307 TMA 04 – cut off date 18 July 2014 Tutor-marked assignment T307 TMA 05 – cut-off date 9 September 2014 Introduction Important advice Please note that where the instructions in this booklet differ from the block guide you should follow the instructions or advice given here. Sending in your assignment You may submit your tutor-marked assignment (TMA) either electronically or by post. For general information about the submission of assignments you should refer to the current Assessment Handbook. Sending your assignment electronically You are encouraged to use the electronic tutor-marked assignment (eTMA) system. The benefits include: 24-hour submission of eTMAs direct to the Open University – this avoids the use of postal systems confirmation of receipt – the system will give you either confirmation that your eTMA has been submitted successfully or, if there has been a problem, an error message informing you of the problem and the steps you should take to overcome it delivery and handling time will be reduced by electronic transmission. You can find out more about electronic TMA submission in the help section of your student home page. Please note the following important points: 1. Your eTMA should be submitted no later than the cut-off date. 2. To submit more than one document, for example an essay and separate project report, you need to create a folder and use software to 'zip' the folder. Detailed instructions can be found in the Computing Guide. 3. If you have difficulties submitting your assignment online using the link on your StudentHome page, you can submit by email directly to the University (not to your tutor). However, submission via StudentHome is always preferable because it guides you through the process and receipt by the system is quicker. 4. All eTMAs are acknowledged by the system; if you do not receive an acknowledgement you will need to submit again. 5. If you have not submitted an eTMA before, you are advised to try a dummy run with eTMA 00 at the start of the module. Sending your assignment by post Use A4-size paper for your assignment, put your name, your personal identifier, the module code and the assignment number at the top of every sheet. When you have completed your assignment, fill in Section 1 of the TMA form (PT3), taking particular care to enter your personal identifier, the module code and the assignment number correctly. The complete assignment, together with the TMA form, should be sent to your tutor for marking. It is recommended that you keep a copy of each assignment you submit and that you do not use recorded delivery, as this can introduce inconvenience to your tutor and cause a delay if your assignment has to be collected from a postal depot. A preferred method is to ask at the post office for a proof of postage certificate, which is free in the UK and involves no delay if your tutor is not at home when the package is delivered. Before posting your assignment, make sure you have put your name and address on the reverse of the envelope. Please ensure that the correct postage is affixed to the envelope and that you allow sufficient time for the assignment to reach its destination. Referencing and plagiarism To answer both parts of this assignment you will need to refer to external sources of information as well as module materials. Any sources of information that you use, such as reference books or the internet should be acknowledged and referred to in your work using the Harvard referencing system. Guidance can be found in 'How to reference for TMAs', which is on the Assignments page of the T307 website. You may quote short extracts from published sources to support your discussion, if these are properly referenced. However it is important to avoid copying significant amounts of text from other authors. While the internet can provide lots of information the validity and quality of that information differs enormously so view what you find critically and look for information from established and authoritative sources. If you incorporate material from the module or elsewhere into your answer word-for- word, you must indicate where you have done so and show where you have taken it from. Not to do so is termed 'plagiarism' and is regarded as an infringement of copyright. To attempt to pass off such work as your own is cheating. You must therefore acknowledge all your sources of information. For more information about what constitutes plagiarism or cheating you should refer to the current Assessment Handbook. Word limits Each assignment for the module has a word limit. The questions set should be answerable within these limits. However, the policy of the module team is that exceeding these limits by up to 10 per cent will not incur a penalty. If you exceed the limit by more than 10 per cent, marks will be deducted in proportion to the amount exceeded. This should not be taken as encouragement to write overlength. Think carefully about how you structure your work as this can help you to write within the limits and try to find a balance between necessary explanation and too much detail when discussing examples. Also look at what you have written and see whether it is possible to express things more succinctly. Reference lists and figure captions are excluded from the word count. Use of external materials As this is a module about innovation you are encouraged to look out for contemporary products that are relevant to the module. You may draw on such examples in your TMA work. However, it is important that your work shows evidence that you have studied the module materials, so whenever you use external material discuss them in relation to ideas and examples from the module materials. External sources should always be referenced. A good starting point for external resources is the MyOpenLibrary area which you will find in the library resources area of the module website. Tutor-marked assignment TMA T307 04 Cut-off date: 18 July 2014 You should submit your completed assignment to arrive not later than the cut-off date. If you cannot complete your assignment on time, consult your tutor. Please read the notes on submitting assignments on page 2 of this booklet. This assignment covers the Block 4 text, Block 4 Guide and T307 DVD. This assignment is in two parts. Part 1 contains questions based on Block 4 and carries 60% of the total marks. Part 2 is based on your project work and carries the remaining 40% of the total marks. You should attempt both parts. Part 1 Diffusion: consumers and innovation (60 marks) This part of the assignment tests your knowledge and understanding of the Block 4 materials. Before starting the assignment look again at the learning outcomes for the block. Your work will be assessed on your ability to discuss the question coherently, to put forward valid evidence and arguments that draw on some of the ideas from the module materials and to illustrate your discussion with appropriate examples. You may include information from outside the module, but if you do so make sure you relate the information to the module. Answer one of the following questions. Question 1 Discuss the relative merits of top-down and bottom-up approaches to the diffusion of renewable energy technologies. Write up to 1300 words. You should include references, which will not be counted in the word count. (60 marks) There are 20 marks for appropriate use of module ideas and concepts; 20 marks for quality of argument; 10 marks for use of relevant examples; and 10 marks for structure and presentation. This question addresses the following learning outcomes. Knowledge and understanding The way in which market environmental and economic factors influence the consumer take-up of new products. The role of consumers in supporting new product lines, resisting unwanted options and, on occasion, stimulating the production of, or even actually developing, desired products and services. The difference between top-down and bottom-up approaches to innovation and diffusion and the potential role of consumers and users in aiding diffusion and innovation. Consumer involvement with innovation and diffusion in the renewable energy sector and the problems that such activity may come up against. The role of government in influencing the direction and effectiveness of the innovation process and the strategic development of technology in the context of trying to move to the environmentally sustainable use of energy. The role of diffusion and the part played by consumers in moving to a more sustainable approach to energy use. Cognitive skills identify in general terms the key factors likely to influence the successful diffusion of new technological developments assess the relative merits of top-down and bottom-up approaches to diffusion and to the wider innovation process. Key skills argue the case for and against various strategies for supporting diffusion for specific technologies or programmes. Practical skills experience with writing essays and making arguments relating to conflicting views on strategies for diffusion. Question 2 Block 4 identifies six different levels of consumer engagement with innovation. What are the implications of this for the diffusion of renewable energy technologies? How can governments encourage or stimulate consumer uptake? Write up to 1300 words. You should include references, which will not be counted in the word count. (60 marks) There are 20 marks for appropriate use of module ideas and concepts, 20 marks for quality of argument, 10 marks for use of relevant examples, and 10 marks for structure and presentation. This question addresses the following learning outcomes. Knowledge and understanding the way in which market environmental and economic factors influence the consumer take-up of new products the role of consumers in supporting new product lines, resisting unwanted options and, on occasion, stimulating the production of, or even actually developing, desired products and services the difference between top-down and bottom-up approaches to innovation and diffusion and the potential role of consumers and users in aiding diffusion and innovation consumer involvement with innovation and diffusion in the renewable energy sector and the problems that such activity may come up against the role of government in influencing the direction and effectiveness of the innovation process and the strategic development of technology in the context of trying to move to the environmentally sustainable use of energy the role of diffusion and the part played by consumers in moving to a more sustainable approach to energy use. Cognitive skills identify in general terms the key factors likely to influence the successful diffusion of new technological developments assess the relative merits of top-down and bottom-up approaches to diffusion and to the wider innovation process. Practical skills experience with writing essays and making arguments relating to conflicting views on strategies for diffusion. Mark allocation Mark allocation for Part 1 Appropriate use of module ideas and concepts 20 Quality of argument 20 Relevant examples 10 Structure and presentation 10 Total 60 Part 2 Project: product development (40 marks) At this point you are half-way through your project work. The work you do in this assignment and all the previous ones will be revisited in greater detail in your final report. The accounts you give in this report should contain enough information for your tutor to advise and assist you but should summarise, rather than present, all of the information that you have gathered. Individual projects Your report should be up to 1500 words long with up to 10 sketches, diagrams, tables, charts and/or photographs (for example photographs of models or mock-ups). The submission should include the following. 1 Economic viability Give a brief account of how economic considerations have affected your design. Show that you have used, or attempted to use, one or more techniques to establish the economic viability of your concept design based on whatever information you have found so far. Clearly state the assumptions you have made and identify the methods and sources used. Discuss any areas of uncertainty and their importance for the project. Make an overall assessment of the economic viability of your project. Write between 300 and 400 words. (10 marks) 2 Environmental sustainability Consider the environmental sustainability of your design and give a brief account of how this has affected your product idea. Focus on assessing the life cycle environmental impacts of your product idea. You do not need to consider social sustainability at this stage; where appropriate, this can be left until the final report. Write between 300 and 400 words. (10 marks) 3 Product development Summarise the progress you have made in developing your project idea. You may only have reached the stage of a worked-out concept design or progressed further towards the layout, system architecture or embodiment phase of product development. Your progress will depend, to a large extent, on the complexity of your idea and the resources available to you. This is fine as long as your work has progressed demonstrably. Write between 350 and 450 words. (12 marks) 4 Project management Review your previous project reports and identify gaps, issues, and challenges that lie ahead in the development of your chosen product idea. Use the 'Checklist for the final report' to identify gaps in your knowledge and where further development is needed. Write a plan of action showing what you need to do on your project between now and the final report deadline. Set dates by which you need to achieve each of your goals. Write between 200 and 250 words. (8 marks) Group projects The second report should be up to 2900 words long with up to 20 sketches, diagrams, tables, charts and/or photographs (for example photographs of models or mock-ups). Your submission should include the following elements, which are discussed below. 1 Economic viability Give a brief account of how economic considerations have affected your design. Show that you have used, or attempted to use, one or more techniques to establish the economic viability of your concept design based on whatever information you have found so far. Clearly state the assumptions you have made and identify the methods and sources used. Discuss any areas of uncertainty and their importance for the project. Make an overall assessment of the economic viability of your project. Write between 500 and 600 words, group authored and marked. (8 marks, awarded equally to all group members) 2 Environmental sustainability Consider the environmental sustainability of your design and give a brief account of how this has affected your product idea. Focus on assessing the life cycle environmental impacts of your product idea. You do not need to consider social sustainability at this stage; where appropriate, this can be left until the final report. Write between 500 and 600 words, group authored and marked. (8 marks, awarded equally to all group members) 3 Product development Summarise the progress you have made in developing your project idea. You may only have reached the stage of a worked-out concept design or progressed further towards the layout, system architecture or embodiment phase of product development. Your progress will depend, to a large extent, on the complexity of your idea and the resources available to you. This is fine as long as your work has progressed demonstrably. Write between 500 and 700 words, group authored and marked. (8 marks, awarded equally to all group members) 4 Project management – action plan Review your previous project reports and identify gaps, issues, and challenges that lie ahead in the development of your chosen product idea. Use the 'Checklist for the final report' to identify gaps in your knowledge and where further development is needed. Write a plan of action showing what you need to do on your project between now and the final report deadline. Set dates by which you need to achieve each of your goals. Write between 500 and 600 words, group authored and marked. (8 marks, awarded equally to all group members) 5 Project management – individual role Individual group members should give an account of their work and role in the group describing their contribution to each of the above elements. You should also outline your contribution to the group plan of action and identify any knowledge or skills gaps that you personally need to address to ensure overall group success. Write between 300 and 400 words, individually authored and marked. (8 marks) Sending in your group project The group should agree and send one copy of the report to their tutor. Each member may include the group report in an electronic submission. The front page of this report should show clearly the names and student numbers of all of the group members. Individuals should submit Item 5 'Project management – individual role' along with their answer to Part 1 of this assignment. Please indicate clearly on your individual submission that you are working in a group and state who has the responsibility for sending the group-authored elements of the second project report. Mark allocation Table 1 Allocation of marks for Part 2 of TMA 04 – individual projects Marks Word count Economic viability 10 300–400 Environmental sustainability 10 300–400 Product development 12 350–450 Project management 8 200–250 Total 40 1500 words + 10 sketches/drawings, photos Table 2 Allocation of marks for Part 2 of TMA 04 – group projects Individual Group Word count Economic viability 0 8 500–600 Environmental sustainability 0 8 500–600 Product development 0 8 500–600 Project management 0 8 500–600 Economic viability 8 0 300–400 Total 8 32 2900 +20 sketches/drawings, photos