Assessment Brief
Why a digital story?
Digital storytelling is a multimedia approach to sharing a narrative. It has a great strength in that it can instantly share information in the form of a story, and you can be creative in how you present this story, using a number or different methods (suggestions provided in the brief below and there will be 2 workshops to support developing your digital skills – see your lecture/seminar schedule in the course handbook and on GCU learn).
Not only will this assessment enable you to demonstrate your knowledge of the topics covered in the course related to ‘managing for innovation’, but you can use your research skills to identify appropriate management strategies and solutions used by organisations, which could be in terms of their structure, culture, leadership characteristics (but not limited to) which impacts on their ability to nurture and support creativity and innovation. This assessment will also help you develop transferable skills such as communication skills and technology skills, which are key skills sought after by employers. Your story (virtual presentation) can be produced using your choice of application (PowerPoint, iMovie, other video capture application). We will be providing you with a workshop on how to use voice over PowerPoint to capture your story. You should also provide a transcript of your narrative (Appendix 2).
A digital story is a conduit to encapsulate your research and tell the story based on the marking criteria set. It needs to be substantiated with credible references. You are however not restricted to academic literature in your research into the company but should use academic literature to critically discuss the key concepts and back up the innovation theories. It will demonstrate your understanding of the module topics and upskills you in your IT and research capabilities.
You may want to start by creating a storyboard or plan of the areas you will over in your digital story. Further support will be provided on Storyboarding. Listen to the podcast to accompany this brief for more guidance. An assessment rubric is also provided (see Appendix 3) with the key requirements and marking allocated provided in detail to help support planning your digital story. The standard Grading Scale is provided in Appendix 4. You can unleash your creativity with this assessment.
- Create a digital story in video format (5 minutes maximum) to cover the following;
- Introduce yourself. Introduce the intent of your digital Story. Provide an introduction of the concept of innovation management and the company you are presenting an insight into. You can explore definitions of the key concepts and the areas you will cover related to your organisation.
- Conduct research on the types of innovations delivered by your allocated company. You may use any sources of information; including company websites, blogs, consultancy reports to find this knowledge, it does not need to be an academic source. You should then research and analyse how management within the organisation encourages an ethos for creativity and innovation. For example by discussing details of their organisational culture, values, structure, leadership style; and so on. You should use academic literature on the theories and concepts of innovation and creativity to back up your points on the types of innovation and how the company supports innovation.
Provide a written transcription of your narrative to include citations and a full reference list.
Your report should demonstrate the depth and breadth of your understanding by applying relevant theory in order to critically evaluate how the organisation manages innovation and supports creativity in their organisation. Provide examples to link theory and practice .
- In your conclusion, conclude by evaluating the effectiveness of innovation management within the organisation and provide recommendations on how the organisation can enhance its innovation management practices to gain a competitive advantage for the future.
It is good to provide some critical reflection, for example to reflect on the challenges of managing innovation and creativity in practice. We would also like you to reflect on any impact that may have been experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and any learning gained related to this topic.
- List all of your references in Harvard Referencing Format, provide references to credit any visuals/photos used (this section can run beyond the 5 mins if needed). Consent must have been gained for use of any images used in your story.
- Presentation – Choose an appropriate way to create and present your digital story. Consider the use of rich text, colour, sound, photos, images, sound (remember copyright). Audio recording should be clear, consistent and appropriate. Presentation pace and/or transition is considered and timely. Any text is spell checked. You can be as innovative and creative in the delivery of your story as you like. Search for examples on-line. Different platforms/content to use to record your story include (but not limited to);
- Voice over on PowerPoint converted to video
- Record using shared screen and PowerPoint, on Zoom/MS Teams with commentary (note you may need to use a tool such as; handbreak, to reduce the file size/quality for upload).
- Create a visual storyboard using paper, pens, printing, photos and then film using a mobile phone or video camera.
- You can also use digital animation, photos, music, other forms of media, Infographics, taking heads etc.
Appendix 3: Rubric/Marking Guide
| Part 1: The Story (70 marks) | ||
| Beginning | Introduction (10 marks) | |
| Introductions and setting the scene | Introduce yourself and your story – provide a relevant title | 3 |
| Define the key concept of innovation Management | 7 | |
| Set the scene on your company with relevant information | ||
| Middle | Innovation and Creativity in Your Company (40 marks) | |
| This is the bulk of your story. | Identify the key types of innovations delivered by your company, link to academic theory with critical reflection. | 10 |
| Remember to critically analyse and evaluate what you find. Put it all into context | Management for Innovation: Research and analyse how management within your company/organisation encourages an ethos for creativity and innovation. For you could discuss details of their organisational culture, values, structure, leadership style; and so on (you do not need to cover all of these). You should use academic literature on the theories and concepts of innovation and creativity to back up your points on the types of innovation and how the company supports innovation. Non-academic sources can be used to do due diligence on your company. | 30 |
| Your report should demonstrate the depth and breadth of your understanding by applying relevant theory in order to critically evaluate how the organisation manages innovation and supports creativity in their organisation. Provide examples to link theory and practice. Embrace some of the key concepts covered in your course and demonstrate your understanding by drawing these out by referring to your company. | ||
| End | Conclusion (15 marks) | |
| This is the end of your story. Be reflective of the state of play and future. | Conclude by evaluating the effectiveness of innovation management within your company/organisation. Provide some critical reflection to reflect on the challenges of managing innovation and creativity in practice. Use evidence to back up your comments, this should not be your opinion. | 10 |
| Reflect on any impact that may have been experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and any learning gained related to this topic | 5 | |
| Credit and References (5 marks) | ||
| This section can run beyond and in addition to the 5 minutes duration of your story | 5 | |
| A full reference list in Harvard style must be provided at the end of the presentation (remember to include images) | ||
| Attribution of images/photos must be given along with consent for the use of photos. |
I have deleted what is not relevant
