Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Alex Mesker
Y3A 193K
by appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MFJ or MCreIndMFJ or MMedia or MCreIndMMedia
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on innovative approaches to finding, reporting, producing and interacting with media stories through the use of digital technologies and data structures. Students will critically analyse and gain practical experience in data-driven reporting techniques, the principles of information design and the production of data visualisations. The unit also covers user experience, gamification, collaboration and the potential uses and limitations of 'big' data for journalistic practice.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Late Submission Penalty
“Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.”
This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration/Disruption to Studies is made and approved.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Portfolio: Deconstructed Data | 35% | No | Week 7, Friday 11:59pm |
Data Story Pitch and Plan | 25% | No | Week 9 Class |
Data Journalism Project | 40% | No | Week 12, Friday 11:59pm |
Due: Week 7, Friday 11:59pm
Weighting: 35%
You will submit:
Format: Submit your portfolio as a Word document with text and links to your MECO 826 blog posts via Turnitin submission link in iLearn.
Detailed instructions will be issued each week to guide your posts.
Assessment Style & Feedback:
This is a formative assessment. You will receive informal feedback on your posts each week. Your formal feedback will include a grade out of 100, a qualitative rubric and written comments.
Due: Week 9 Class
Weighting: 25%
Each Student will pitch their data-driven story idea to the class in week 9. You will have 10 minutes to present and another 10 minutes for discussion.
Students should post all relevant presentation materials to your Blog prior to class including links to relevant data sets, tools and back up research. You will use this post to talk the class through your idea and plan. (You may use presentation platforms or Powerpoint slides but it is not required.)
You should also acknowledge and discuss any existing pieces of Data Journalism or Visualizations that inspired your approach.
Assessment Criteria:
Due: Week 12, Friday 11:59pm
Weighting: 40%
A data driven feature or series of stories that should include a headline, an introduction and three-four original visualizations* including links to all relevant data sets and sources. (*You may storyboard any ideas that you are unable to produce due to technical limitations but please discuss this approach with your lecturer ahead of time.) (apx 1500 words)
A reflection that explains your process and decisions and critically assesses the benefits, challenges and limits of data driven journalism. Also discuss how you would promote your project via social and online media. Please cite relevant literature. (apx. 750 words)
You should post your project to the blog (or a link to it if you have posted it at an external site) and submit a copy as a Word document via the Turnitin submission link in iLearn.
Assessment Criteria:
This is a summative assessment: Feedback will include a grade out of 100, a qualitative rubric and a comment about your project.
An online collaborative learning space will be available to students for the duration of the unit (URL will be supplied in classes). Information about weekly readings and learning activities will be available via iLearn.
Come along for a unit overview and introduction in week 1. Tutorials start in week 2.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
MMCCS Session Re-mark Application http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/?id=167914
Information is correct at the time of publication
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