Assessment Part 2

Descriptions of assignments

Each assignment will be fully described in the corresponding Assignment page. There you will find the key information and Marking Rubric, which you will use to ensure you are putting your best work forward.

Resources related to each assignment will be provided throughout this Handbook. Note that although not many readings are assigned, you will have to be reading a lot of material in order to perform and communicate the research required for each assignment. You will be finding a lot of this on your own and in groups, but if you are struggling to find the literature or resources that you need, discuss that with your instructors, who should be able to help you.

Reminder of late assignments policy: 5% grade reduction per late day for 3 days, no assignments accepted after 3 days late. Late assignments are only accepted for those first 3 days if you give your instructors notice that they will be late.

1. 3-Minute Presentation

Completed by the end of Week 1, this 3-Minute Presentation will be on a topic of the student’s choosing (anything to do with ocean science, fisheries, aquatics ecosystems, or similar). Students will create 1 static slide to go with their presentation. This assignment supports learning outcomes 1 and 7, and aims to introduce students to presentation skills with low stakes. Instructors will fill out a feedback form that will help you develop your presentation skills.

Key Information:

• This is an individual project
• The presentation will happen on the last day of Week 1, and class time will be dedicated to creating the slide
• The topic can be on anything related to ocean science, fisheries, aquatic ecosystems, or similar

2. Annotated Bibliography

During Week 1, you will pick a group and a research topic that will be the focus of all of your group assignments. You will prepare an annotated bibliography on your topic, which will focus on a pressing problem in ocean science. Instructors will guide you throughout this process. You will canvas written documents ranging from academic papers to parliamentary records and from government reports to community newsletters. Review other records, including conventional and electronic media reports. Done in a group of 3-4 students. Supports learning outcomes 1-3. Assessment will focus on the submitted work itself: the group collaboration aspect of this assignment will be assessed under “Participation and Collaboration”.

Key Information:

• This is a group project (3-4 students per group)
• You will stay with this group and topic for all of your group work, although your topic will evolve as you learn more
• This assignment is due at the end of Week 2
• This research will be necessary for the the Blog Post, Legacy Project, and Presentation assignments

3. Blog Post

A first draft will be completed by the end of week 2, with the final version finished in our last week. Our Ocean Leaders Blog will host the Blog Posts after submission and the instructors support the groups in editing the final versions. Your blog post will be public facing, and so you will be using language that the general public can understand. Supports learning outcomes 1-2 and 6-7.

Key Information:

• This is a group project (2-4 students per group)
• This assignment is due at the end of Week 2 (Draft) and Week 4 (Final)
• This will be a short post about your group research topic, linking your Legacy Project within the post in the Final version

4. Policy Briefing (1-Pager)

Completed by the end of week 3. Each student will prepare a one page document about their group’s Scholarly Project or another topic of interest, designed to leave behind after a visit with a policymaker or participation in an engagement event. The one-pagers can be tailored to specific audiences, including different senior bureaucrats at the local, provincial or federal level, university administrators, attendees of a public event, etc. The expectations may be adjusted to match the project topic. While the topic is based in the group’s Scholarly Project, this assignment is completed and graded for each individual student. Supports learning outcomes 4-7.

Key Information:

• This is an individual assignment
• A draft is due 9am Friday, end of Week 2
• The final version is due 9am Friday, end of Week 3
• This can be on any topic relevant to marine science, ocean leadership, coastal ecosystems, etc.

5. Legacy Project

Completed by the end of week 3. Based on the scholarly project, develop and document a policy product to address their specific pressing challenge. This can take many forms, according to what response might best effect societal change. Possible products might include some of the following: a mobile or web app, op-ed campaign, video, web page, policy or opinion piece, blog post, ministerial briefing, bylaw, stakeholder training, or other publicly accessible contribution. Since the legacy product(s) may be actions or videos, each group will submit a brief report (1-2 pages plus bibliography) describing the product, its rationale, its delivery mechanisms and its sustainability (e.g., proposed for continued engagement). Done in a group of 3-4 students. Supports learning outcomes 3-6. Assessment will focus on the submitted work itself: the group collaboration aspect of this assignment will be assessed under “Participation and Collaboration”.

Key Information:

• This is a group project (3-4 students per group)
• Due date is 9am Friday, end of Week 3
• As part of this, you will be able to update your original blog post as you learn new information

6. Presentation at the ‘Making Waves’ Event

Completed in week 4. Student groups will prepare a spoken presentation with visual aids for the public policy event. This will be presented at an event held over the final days of the Course. Evaluated as a group, and may be a presentation sharing Scholarly or Legacy Projects, or your Policy Briefing. You may also present on another topic that your group would like to work on, but note that this will add to your work load. Supports learning outcomes 4-7.

Key Information:

• This is a group project: you will be presenting on your Legacy Project
• Your presentation will be evaluated during the Event by your instructors and/or IOF Faculty

7. Participant and Collaboration

Students are expected to be active and engaged members of this course community. They should participate in all sessions and be effective contributors to group activities, including interactive exercises and practice presentations. Students are expected to contribute equally to all group work. They should also assist with organization of the public policy event. Students are expected to arrive on time and participate in all class activities and group assignments. Your instructors will be evaluating your participation and collaboration throughout the course.

This is assessed individually over the duration of the course.