Report Topics 2016 What are the advantages and disadvantages of children using cell phones for communication? Age of children should be between 10 to 20 years' old  The prescription requires you to write and present a technical report on a given topic. This assessment develops and tests your written and oral communication skills. You will need to demonstrate the following skills:  Written communications  Oral communications  Note taking & summarising  Team work  Time management  Problem analysis  Evaluation skills The assessment consists of one assignment divided into four tasks. Task Description Marks Task 1 Submit a research strategy 5 Task 2 Write a technical report on the topic. 35 Task 3 Prepare and present a 5 minute presentation on the Task 4 Worksheets 25 35 main findings of your topic. 100 ISCG5430- Semester 1-2016 Assignment 2 Page 1 of 6 Instructions In this assignment you are asked to write and present a technical report on a given topic. The general topic of the report is "Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a particular computer device or software application which is used by people to enhance the communication process". Detailed topics are on page seven. You are expected to research and learn the topic to a level that you can write the report and present it to the class, responding to questions by your peers and lecturers. Task 1- Technical Report Date Due: 2016 May 30 8.30am Mark allocation: 35 marks Type: Individual Instructions 1. Your document will be submitted using Microsoft Word 2013 or another word processor that your lecturer has access to 2. You will use a technical writing style to produce a professional report. Use suitable headings to guide the reader through your report. To help you, the following structure must be used:  Title page  Executive summary  Table of contents  Introduction  Discussion  Conclusion and Recommendations  References  Appendices 3. There is a report length minimum requirement of 1,500 words and maximum restriction of 2,000 words. (Use the word count feature to check!) 4. The inclusion of diagrams within the document is essential but they must:  Items not included in the word count requirement/restriction: i. Title pages ii. Executive Summary iii. References iv. Appendices v. Wording in graphics and or diagrams.  Complement the discussion  Be referred to in the text to show applicability and appropriateness. 5. The use of automated and manual functions in MSWord is assessed. You need to use headers/footers, automated TOC, automated references, styles and text formatting appropriately etc. 6. You need to have at least four (4) references. These will be from different sources  A book (including an e-book)  A good quality journal article  A trade publication (magazine, newspaper)  A website 7. Referencing must use the APA6 referencing system. ISCG5430- Semester 1-2016 Assignment 2 Page 2 of 6 Submission Upload to Moodle one MSWord document. This will be checked with the website www.turnitin.com which tests for the amount of original work in your report. Marking Criteria The report should be well prepared and written in a clear and concise manner. It should have a table of contents, page headers and/or footers identifying at least the topic, student name, page number and number of pages. The contents of the report should be well researched. The advantages and disadvantages need to be clearly stated and the arguments supported from the literature. You need to reach an informed conclusion. Correct citing and referencing using APA6 will be expected. You should have at least four different sources. The report should use correct English grammar, punctuation, spelling and syntax. The report should make use of appropriate word processing functions. The report should be submitted in the required format. Task 2 – Presentation Date Due: 2016 May 30 8.30am Mark allocation: 35 marks Type: Individual Instructions Prepare and present a five minute presentation on the main findings of your topic. An additional two minutes will be allowed for responding to questions. Submission The presentations will be in class time during week <yet to be decided>. There is a possibility that some students may wish to present earlier. You need to have your presentation ready by 8.30am on Monday as you must present when your lecturer tells you to. Marking Criteria There is a standard marking sheet with instructions available on Moodle. This looks at your introduction, personal manner, flow of the presentation, content and question handling technique. The lecturer and the rest of the class will mark the presentations. Your mark is based on the lecturer's mark (50%) and the average of the other students' marks (50%). If your presentation is too short then marks with be deducted. ISCG5430- Semester 1-2016 Assignment 2 Page 3 of 6 Late Assignments Assignments submitted after the due date and time without having received an extension through Special Assessment Circumstances (SAC) will be penalised according to the following:  10% of marks deducted if submitted within 24hrs of the deadline  20% of marks deducted if submitted after 24hrs and up to 48hrs of the deadline  30% of marks deducted if submitted after 48hrs and up to 72hrs of the deadline  No grade will be awarded for an assignment that is submitted later than 72hrs after the deadline. Special Assessment Circumstances Students who, due to circumstances beyond their control, miss a test, exam or an assignment deadline or consider their performance in a test, exam or assignment to have been adversely affected, should complete the form available from any Student Services Office. You have a maximum of five working days to submit the SAC application. When requesting an SAC for an assignment, you need to submit the SAC form, the medical certificate or documentary evidence together with the assignment work completed so far. The extension period that you are applying for cannot be greater than the time frame on the documentation you submit. For example, a Doctor's Certificate stating you are sick for two days will entitle you to a two day extension. Originality of Work The submitted report must be your own work. Plagiarism is unacceptable and any material copied from the Internet or other sources without appropriate referencing will result in loss of marks or the possibility that the assignment will not be marked. Resubmitting work that you did in a previous semester for any course is also regarded as plagiarism. Assignment Tips Do you want to do the best that you can do on this assignment and improve your grades? You could: • Talk it over with your lecturers • Use the facilities available through the library • Visit Te Puna Ako, Maia or for learning advice and support • Visit the Centre for Pacific Development and Support • Contact the USU Advocate for independent advice • For contact details and more information, go to www.usu.co.nz ISCG5430- Semester 1-2016 Assignment 2 Page 4 of 6 This assignment is an individual assignment. You must work by yourself and all work on these tasks must be your own. Please sign the statement below to declare that this assignment submission is your own work and hand in the signed statement with your report. Failure to sign or include this statement may mean your assignment is not marked. Professional Skills for IT Practitioners ISCG5430, Assignment 2 I declare that this assignment is my own work. Where I have incorporated work from other people, I have correctly acknowledged the source in my assignment. Signature:……………………………….…. Date: ……….……. Student Name ……………………………… Student ID …………… ISCG5430- Semester 1-2016 Assignment 2 Page 5 of 6 ISCG5430 Professional Skills for the IT Practitioners Semester 1, 2016 Assignment 2 MARKING SHEET Student Name: _______________________________Student ID______________ Criteria Maximum Your Mark Mark Task 1: Research strategy 5 Task 2 Integration of tools with communication Task 2 Technical Accuracy APA6 Referencing & Citations Use of the English language – spelling, punctuation etc Use of MS Word features – formatting, headers and footers etc Correct Submission of report – layout etc Task 3 Presentation 35 Task 4 Worksheets 25 TOTAL 100 General comments on performance 35 Do you want to do the best that you can do on this assignment and improve your grades? You could: • Talk it over with your lecturer • Visit Te Puna Ako for learning advice and support • Visit the Centre for Pacific Development and Support • Contact the USU Advocate for independent advice • For contact details and more information, go to www.usu.co.nz