Learning and Assessment Task No 1: News Research Portfolio
Marked out of 100 – Weighting 30% of final assessment
1. Assessment Task Description: Each student will develop a news research portfolio on their local area that includes:
- an overview of current news issues (300 words)
- summary of five current stories with indicative news leads (100 words each)
- an annotated contact list of at least fifteen people who could act as sources for local stories that includes
- name
- position
- contact phone number and/or email address
- brief description of expertise or area of involvement
- interview notes with two local sources (400 words)
Associated In-Class Learning Tasks:
In order to assist students with this assessment task a number of exercises and resources will be provided by the workshops:
- Week 4 will de devoted to newsgathering and interviewing techniques
- Students must present preliminary ideas in class week 4 for peer feedback.
Associated Out-of-Class Research Activities
In order to complete this task satisfactorily students must engage in a program of independent study and research. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Read and reflect on the allocated weekly readings from the text book and associated e readings
- Regularly read newspapers and online news sites
- Regularly read local news publications
- Visit local resource areas such as council and library
2. Assessment Criteria: Students must show that they are developing:
- An ability to identify interesting news stories;
- An ability to research news issues
- An ability to write effective news leads
3. Due date: The finished portfolio is due via email by midday Thursday 3 April
4. Must attempt: Yes
