Communication and Global Technologies explores the way communication has changed culture. Naturally, the way people use communication technology plays a significant role in determining how these changes take place. This first assessment allows you to reflect on your communication and how this has been influenced through use of technologies over your lifetime.

The aim of this task is to get you to reflect on the Unit content so far and to think about how communication has evolved in conjunction with technological innovation.

Task Description

You will write an 800-word piece reflecting on how communication is affected by technological developments. You can choose to write in the first or third-person voice depending on the perspective you want to highlight but you must include TWO concrete examples in your discussion to illustrate how communication and technology interact. Examples can be drawn from your own life experiences and observations of everyday life (e.g. work, family or social activities etc) or from media texts (e.g. art, photography, film, poetry, social media etc).         

Choose one topic from weeks 1-4 to base your reflection on and stipulate in the heading of the document the name of the topic you are focusing on. 

Below are some prompts to help you focus your reflective piece:

1. Discuss how you have used non-verbal communication through and with technologies e.g. sending/receiving haptic feedback through a digital device, OR how you have used visual methods to communicate messages to others using ink, paint, lighting, etching, graffiti, dance, movement, mime or other forms of visual expression (Week 1 Topic).  

2. Examine how sound technologies like amplifiers (microphones, speakers) or voice recognition software alter the tonality of speech, consider the pros and cons of oral storytelling compared to written accounts, OR reflect on how a sibling, child or grandchild acquired language through imitation (Week 2 Topic)

3. Examine how and why the written word has become abbreviated, abridged and transformed through technology e.g. text messaging, emojis, screen readers (Week 3 Topic)

4. Consider the impact of printing technologies on society e.g. how the printing press affected literacy levels, OR how the facsimile or 3D printing technology has changed business practice

References to and application of key theories, concepts and scholarly ideas must be included in the reflection.

Use of AI in this assessment:   
Level 2 - You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.  

Understanding of topic and unit content: Clearly articulates the topic, drawing on Unit content and key concepts to demonstrate how technological innovations shape communication practices (30%)   

Relevance and application of real-world examples: Identifies two relevant real-world examples and discusses these in relation to unit concepts (20%)

Depth of reflection and critical thinking: Reflects on personal experiences and/or observations to illustrate the impact of technological change on communication and cultural exchange (20%)  

Written expression: Quality and conciseness of writing, clarity and coherence (15%) 

Referencing and research: Conducts an appropriate range of research and uses at least 2 scholarly or academic references to inform understanding of the task, applies correct use of APA 7 referencing and uses AI generated content appropriately (15%) 

This assessment has a practical focus and gives you the opportunity to interview a person about their experience with communication technologies. 

In this assessment you will plan, conduct and record a short interview with someone from another generation or cultural background and present your findings using a medium of your choice to show how innovations in communication and technology have influenced the lives of others. Choose one of the topics from Weeks 5 - 8 to base your interview around. Some themes you might want to consider include:

• Week 5 - How has currency/transaction systems/banking changed in the participant's lifetime and what impact have those changes had on how and what they spend? What are the pros and cons of digital currency? How has global trade and the production and exchange of goods internationally changed consumption patterns? 
• Week 6 - What are the benefits and disadvantages of digital photography? How has photographic technology changed in the participant's lifetime and what impact have these changes had (e.g. work practices, personally)? What is the cultural value of a family portrait photo? 
• Week 7 - What are the benefits/disadvantages of curating audio content? What impact did radio have on participants' lives? How does the experience of listening to a radio compare to listening later on an app? What are the cultural, financial or social issues related to subscription music streaming platforms such as Spotify or Amazon Music? 
• Week 8 - How has telephone mobility changed in the participant's lifetime and what impact has it had? Has convergent technology (being able to make video calls, send text messages, make phone calls and send emails from a single device) enhanced or hindered communication? Do people communicate differently when using the phone compared to video call? How has communication been affected in the workplace with the introduction of video conferencing programs? 

Once you have established the broad theme or topic you are interested in exploring you need to create ‘an interview guide’: a list of planned interview questions you will ask your participant. At this point, you should think about whether the topic you are investigating is suitable for the chosen participant or whether you need to find someone else more suitable. You will also need to organise your interview, including agreeing on a set time and place with your interviewee, printing the information and consent forms for your interviewee to sign (see sections below for more information on this process). 

Presentation Format
Once you have completed your interview, you need to produce a 1500-word (or equivalent) summary and reflection of your findings and the things you’ve learnt about changes in communication and technology presented in a media format of your choosing. 

Options include but are not limited to: a magazine article, short story, Powerpoint presentation or another slide format (Prezi, Canva), narrated audio (in the style of a podcast or radio broadcast) or an essay style written report. 

If recording your reflection, you should produce a script to ensure the word count is met which can be uploaded to Moodle. Similarly, you can include scripted content in the Notes section of a PPT or uploaded separately with reference to relevant slides.

You also need to upload or include the following portfolio of items as appendices in your presentation: 

1. A copy of the Participant Information Sheet and Consent Form signed by your interviewee
2. Your interview guide
3. A link to the recorded interview, preferably uploaded to OneDrive, with a link placed in your presentation or script notes.

Use of Generative AI
As this assessment involves designing and collecting original content from a participant, Al should not be used at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. Uploading the recorded interview provides evidence of originality.

  
Reflection and analysis of interview findings: Demonstrates clear understanding of the chosen topic and critically analyses interviewee responses in relation to core themes and concepts about changes in communication and technology, addressing cultural, social, or generational implications (35%).

Interview design and execution: Outlines the suitability of interview questions in relation to the research topic, including range, order, and style of questions; demonstrates ethical practice through appropriate use of consent and participant information (20%).

Presentation and communication: Presents findings in a clear, engaging, and logically structured format appropriate to the chosen medium, with effective written or spoken expression and alignment to task requirements (20%)

Portfolio presentation: Inclusion of all required elements, including the appendices (interview guide, participant information and consent forms, recorded interview link), presented in an organised and professional manner (15%)

Research and Referencing: Supports discussion with relevant scholarly sources and unit readings, using correct referencing conventions and appropriate integration of interviewee comments through paraphrasing or direct quotes (10%).

This final assessment brings together learnings from previous assessment tasks by encouraging you to evaluate the impact that changes in communication technology have on our lives, and on culture more broadly. For this task, you will write a 1500-word argumentative essay responding to the statement:

“Communication technology has really improved our lives.”

Task instructions

1. Take a clear position (agree, disagree, or partly agree).
2. Identify real-world examples that relate to two weekly topics (from weeks 1-12) to illustrate your argument. One topic must be the same as the one you chose for Assessment 2. You may use examples from your interview findings to support your position. 
3. Include at least one counterargument and respond to it (see Moodle site for examples).
4. Support your discussion with at least 6 scholarly sources (from unit readings and independent research).
5. Use APA 7 for all references, including interview excerpts (Personal Communication).

Additional information

An assessment guide and other resources are provided on the Moodle site to support development and writing of the essay.

Use of AI generated content in this assessment
Level 2 - You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.  

Argument and understanding (30%): States a clear position in the introduction and relates the argument to key concepts and two appropriate topics to explain how technology shapes communication and culture.

Examples and evidence (30%): Uses appropriate real-world examples and evidence related to the chosen topics, including interview excerpts and at least six scholarly sources from unit readings and independent research.

Structure (15%): Applies appropriate use of essay writing conventions, including beginning (introduction), middle (presentation of core argument and counterargument) and end (conclusion).   

Written expression (15%): Reflects quality and style of writing, including appropriate use of spelling and grammatical conventions such as paragraph breaks and line spacing; uses authoritative tone to present a cohesive and convincing argument.

Referencing and academic integrity (10%): Adheres to APA 7 referencing style for all sources, (including interview material where relevant), provides a complete reference list and acknowledges use of AI.