The purpose of this document is to spark ideas. The School and Levels are just ideas and may be too narrow or misplaced. Please feel free to add to this list by sending your ideas to Academic.Centre@manukau.ac.nz with Assessment in the subject line.
3 minute thesis – Deliver a complex argument in less than three minutes
School: Health
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
Choose a topic from the list below and develop a 3 minute explanation of the topic including:
- Why it is important?
- What are the key points and how are they relevant to what you have been observing during your practicum?
This is a 3 minute presentation and you may only have one graphic or slide.
School: Engineering
Level 6
Assessment:
In a 3 minute presentation, deliver the main concept of your completed project including:
- Background information
- What are the implications of your project?
You may include a maximum of 3 diagrams/slides/graphics.
School: Floristry
Level: 4
Assessment:
In a 3 minute presentation, deliver an overview of what you have learnt in your course and where you want to go with your learning. Include:
- What are the most valuable lessons? Why?
- Your journey and where it will lead you…
You may include a maximum of 6 photographs/graphics/slides
Abstract or executive summary
School: Business / Nursing / Counselling / Early childhood Education
Level: 7
Assessment:
Choose one topic from the list below. Research using the library databases and find 5 relevant journal articles. Identify the themes in the articles and write an executive summary of no more than one page (two sides) which highlights the main points and includes a reference list (APA referencing).
Annotated bibliography
School: Nursing / Counselling / Early Childhood Education / Business
Level: 5
Assessment:
Research peer reviewed journal articles which relate to the topic of _____________________. Choose an article and write a 200 word summary of the article and why it is relevant. Include an APA reference. Summit your work to the discussion forum. When you have made your submission you will be able to see other student’s work. The combined work will be useful for your final assignment.
This assignment is weighted at 5%.
Argue the other side
School: Business / Early Childhood / Health and Wellbeing
Level: 4/5
Assessment:
- Step 1: Choose one topic from the following list that you feel very strongly about. Explain what your stance on the topic is in 200 words.
- Step 2: Present an argument from another perspective on the same topic.
Changing times
School: Nursing
Level: 5
Assessment:
Using Google Scholar or the library databases, research a topic from the list below and find two articles. One article must be published before 1990 and one must be since 2015. Write about what is different in the underlying attitudes and the conclusions. What has changed?
Include APA referencing.
Cloze
School: Any School
Level: Any level
Assessment:
Your group has been allocated Chapter ( ) from the ebook “____________________”. Having read the chapter your team must present to the class the main points of the chapter including the most interesting and the most surprising things you learnt.
Your presentation will be a maximum of 5 minutes long. You will be marked on the following criteria:
Collaborative problem solving
School: Engineering
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
- Step 1 – Consider the following problem as a team. You must decide on 3 potential solutions. 5%
- Step 2 – Your team will be linked to another team to form a group. Both teams will have been working on linked problems. You will be given the overarching problem and the combined group will now have to consider the possible solutions that were derived from the previous problems to produce a solution to the overarching problem. 15%
Course Pack
School: General
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
Research peer reviewed journals for 6 articles on the general topic of this course ________________________. Put these articles together in a course pack which must include an introduction to the course and a 200 word summary of each article.
Create a scenario
School: General – socio-political
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
Choose 1 topic from the list below. Write a 500 word scenario which shows how the topic is manifested in real life.
You must create a make-believe person. Describe their situation, external influences which impact on the outcomes for this person and some strategies which would improve that outcome.
Create an action plan
School: General
Level: 3-5
Assessment:
Describe a common problem related to _________________________. What needs to happen for this problem to be solved? Write an action plan describing the steps and your reasoning for each step.
Debate
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Topics for each debate will be allocated to teams randomly. The two teams will toss a coin to choose the affirmative or negative side of the debate.
When you know what your topic is and which side you are on you will work in your teams to choose the roles each of you will play (opener, second speaker, third speaker, closer).
Develop your arguments ready for the debate.
Winning team – (voted for by the class) 5 points per person
Definitions
School: General
Level: 3-4
Assessment:
Develop a glossary of terms which you add to over the course. Include words you aren’t familiar with, words that interest you and words that aren’t related to the topic but which you may need to know (such as words related to assessments). Write a definition of the word and use it in a complete sentence.
This assessment is due on ________________ and it should include 50 words.
School: Education/art/counselling/nursing
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
Write 200-word definitions of each of the following terms/genres/types/philosophies and how they impact on education/art/counselling/nursing today.
Design a community project
School: Nursing/counselling/social work
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
Choose a topic from the list below.
Define the issues related to this topic and how they impact on your local community. Design a project which might address these issues.
Your project must include:
- Definition of the issues from a local perspective
- An explanation of the project including the reasoning behind it
- A project plan OR a visual representation of the plan (info-graphic)
Design thinking
School: Engineering
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
In your group, choose one of the following topics/issues.
Each person in the team must choose a representative role (engineer/community/architect/communications person). Taking advantage of all these points of view and using design thinking, develop a strategy to take the project forward/solve the problem.
Your output must include:
- An explanation of the different perspectives
- All ideas on how to solve the issue/progress the project
- Chosen ideas/solutions and strategy with a justification
Event
School: Art Management/Hospitality
Level: 4-7
Assessment:
- Step 1: Discuss event with stakeholders and clarify all relevant details related to the event – Document.
- Step 2: Develop a project plan with dates/times/responsibilities/notes
- Step 3: Arrange details with relevant parties adding further notes to the project plan
- Step 4: Supervise the event
- Step 5: Reflect on event – what went well? What could be done better next time?
Hand in all documentation.
Exemplars
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Write a 500 word essay on one of the following topics including an introduction, discussion and a conclusion (include references). Upload to Canvas by _____________________. (5%)
Compare your essay to the exemplar you have been sent. What differences do you see? What would you change if you could? What have you learnt? (100 words) (2.5%)
Explain to a twelve year old
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Choose one of the topics below. Develop an explanation on this topic which you could use for a twelve year old. You can produce one (or more) of the following:
- A video
- An audio
- Written explanation
- Info-graphic
Follow up
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Find a media article/column on one of the following topics. Do further research around this topics to verify or refute the information/opinions presented. 500 words
Grant proposal
School: General
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
Choose a proposal from the list below or make one up yourself.
Complete a grant proposal document for your chosen project researching the topic to justify your proposal, engage with stakeholders to ensure details are correct, and include your budget.
Info-graphic
School: General
Level: 3-5
Assessment:
Choose one of the topics below. Develop an infographic using whatever software you like or by hand. The info-graphic must include:
- A general explanation of the topic/issue
- Information relevant to the reader
- Contact details and/or referral information (website)
- A cohesion so it all makes sense
Journal article review
School: General
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
Choose a topic from the list below. Research and find two peer reviewed articles with opposing views. Review the articles and the two arguments and come to a conclusion as to the validity of each.
Moving Case Study
School: Nursing/Early Childhood Education/Counselling/Social Work
Level: 5-7
Assessment:
Part 1: Read the following case study, research around the topic and then answer the following questions:
- What are the main points that need to be considered in this situation
- Write a plan on how to deal with the issues raised
Hand-in date _________________
Part 2 (unseen until after submission of part 1): Consider the ‘plan’ you delivered in part 1 and rewrite it based on one of the complications listed below. (Complications might be medical/socio political/environmental)
- What changes will you make to your plan? Justify
- What else will you need to consider in relation to this case?
Hand-in date _________________
Newspaper story
School: General
Level: 3-4
Assessment:
Choose one of the topics below and write a newspaper story based on at least two interviews and background research. (Approximately 500 words)
Personal interpretation
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Choose one of the topics below which you find particularly relevant to you personally. Write a 500 word essay describing the topic’s relevance and how your thoughts and/or feelings have changed as a result of learning more about it.
Power point discussion
School: General
Level: 3-4
Assessment:
Choose a topic from the list below which you and your partner are interested in debating. Write/draw the debate using Power Point each making one point per slide in a back-and-forth discussion.
Presentations
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Choose a topic from the list below. Each person in the team must define their role in the development of the presentation and include this table on the last slide or separately if Power Point is not used.
The presentation must include:
- Introduction
- The fundamental points of the topic
- The relevance of the topic to the audience
- Conclusion
Project
School: Trades/Engineering/horticulture Level: 3-7
Assessment:
This could be anything: Build a house; pull apart a car and put it back together again; design and build a ‘machine’ to solve a problem; design and plant a garden area; plan for and set up scaffolding
Project Management Plan
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Part 1: Based on a project you have to do for work, develop a project plan which includes the following:
- Research/definition of output
- Steps/timing/actions/due date
Part 2: Implement the plan journaling the process
Question writing
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Choose one of the topics listed below. Write 4 multi-choice on the key points of the topic.
Remember when writing the question:
- A maximum of 4 options to choose from
- Ensure the answers are not too obvious
- Don’t use trick questions
- Make sure the questions are fair and that you would be able to answer them in a test
Reflective writing
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Keep a journal of your progress through the course. Write at least 6 entries. Answer the following questions in at least one of the entries:
- What was the most powerful thing you learnt from this course?
- What would you have liked to have learnt about but didn’t?
- Has this course changed how you think? Explain.
Research an event
School: Art Management/Hospitality
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Choose from one of the event listed below. Research the event and answer the following:
- What is the history of the event?
- Who is interested in/impacted by this event?
- What are the key points you would need to take into consideration if you were to run this event again?
Review
School: Arts/Hospitality
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Attend at least one of the following events. Write a review of the event including:
- Who is the intended audience for the event?
- Was the event appropriate for the intended audience?
- Did the intended audience enjoy the event?
- Did you enjoy the event?
Role play
School: Hospitality/ECE/Counselling/Nursing/Administration/Business
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Example 1
Role play a meeting. Half of the people at the meeting represent one stakeholder while the other half represent a different point of view. Work together to come to a conclusion that is acceptable to both groups. Minute the meeting with motions and action points.
Example 2
Role play a meeting between a nurse/counsellor and a client. Take notes during the meeting. Swap roles. The person playing the patient needs to be as convincing as possible and ask questions as appropriate.
Example 3
Role play a dinner service where one person is the maître d’ and the other is the customer. The customer has a complaint. Discuss the complaint and provide a solution. The person playing the maître d’ must provide a report of the incident. Swap places and choose a different complaint.
Example 4
Role play a meeting between an ECE teacher and a disgruntled or worried parent. Discuss the issue and provide a solution. The person playing the ECE teacher must provide a report of the incident. Swap places and choose a different issue.
Safe work practices
School: Trades
Level: 3-4
Assessment:
Write clear concise instructions on how to set up and use a (reasonably complex) machine safely. You may use photos or drawings.
Safety signs
School: Trades
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Choose from a safety concern from the list below. Design a safety sign for the workshop to warn of this danger. It needs to be:
- Visible from a distance
- Clear and concise
- Accurate
Scenarios
School: Nursing/ECE/Counselling/Social Work
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Read the scenario. In your team research the issues raised and answer the following questions:
- What are the main points that need to be considered in this situation
- Write a plan on how to deal with the issues raised
Silent video
School: Nursing/ECE/Counselling/Social Work/Art
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
In your group produce a video to explain how self-concept or perception or culture influence communication – you may not use any words.
Teach a buddy
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Choose two of the articles listed below. You and your partner read one each and then teach the other person what you have learnt. Write a summary of the article you have learnt about and then compare with the original article.
Reflect on what you learnt from this process. (300 words)
Ted Type Talk
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Choose from the topic list below or use your own topic (discuss with your lecturer). Develop a TED type talk. It should be 15 minutes long, be cohesive and logical. By the end of your presentation, the audience should have a good understanding of the topic and how you relate to it.
Video library
School: General
Level: 3-4
Assessment:
Choose one of the topics from the list below. Research relevant videos and curate into a video library (using links). Answer the following questions related to this library:
- How do the videos work together to make the point you are interested in?
- What did you discover as you did your research?
Work of art
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Reflect on what you have learnt on this course and create a work of art/ visual representation of what the course has meant to you. You will be expected to present your work and answer questions from the audience.
Work project
School: General
Level: 3-7
Assessment:
Using a theory or theories you have learnt on this course apply them to a problem/project/process in your workplace. Write a report on the process including answers the following questions:
- Background to the workplace problem/project/process
- What theory/theories did you use and why did you choose it/them?
- What was the outcome?
- Refection – what worked well? What would you do differently next time?