Group Project

SSF 1063 Communication and Society

Semester 2, 2020/2021, UW6762001
Lecturer & Course Coordinator: Dr Siti Zanariah Ahmad Ishak
Project Mark (A=30%+B=20%)

CLO2: Explain the interaction and impact of communication on societies (A3)

Both WordPress content and Project Report are interrelated. Project

Report describes the communication aspects when group members’
completing tasks in developing website.

A. WordPress Website and Content

1. Sample WordPress: https://kablogsoralcomm.wordpress.com/

2. The aim of the website content development is create bonding among group members.
Thus, the objectives are:

i. sharing life experience in human communication issues.

ii. to achieve better quality of the work assigned since this is a team work (see appendix
B for further understanding of group work). Team work outcome can be disastrous if
you do not know how to collaborate. Therefore, PM need to lead in the styles taught
in the class and member must know their roles. Additionally, all need to practice
effective communication skills .

3. The target audience is your own programme members.

4. The feature and concept of the website, including but not limited to:
i. Create concepts or visuals for your website. Eg. relate to UNIMAS, Faculty, your
Programme, and finally SSF1063 Communication and Society subject. (superficial eg:
use the color of dark maroon to relate to FSSH).

5. Menu (Tab) and dropdown menu:

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 i. The menu has leader and members’ profile (task role and Belbin’s role) &
summary of ice-breaking. If you can create your group identity that reflect the
members. (similar - ‘something’, it can be words, wisdom or hobby that bind the
members together.). Besides words, photos and other visuals are equally important
You can add and edit photo to make all members look like being together.
(Creativity is important).

ii. African Connection: Intercultural communication. Watch the recording session.

But live video with Mr. Godswill is TBA (to be announced).

iii. Create 3 other issues in 3 different menus related to human communication topic
and issues related in your programme that is experienced by your members. You
name the menu. Example issue for IRLS: One member may want to share her/his
experience working part-time focusing on the co-workers interaction (good or bad
experience). Example for SW: experience being volunteers during flood time +
relates it to team work; communication in abuse family relationship and how to
avoid.

iv. Group members respond in ‘leave a reply’. Programme members are also
encouraged to visit and give feedback in week 8 (during break). You need to put
note example ( your name and word ‘class mate G2’ ).

6. Pleasant and neat layout – colour, font style, font size, picture, and/or video.

7. Usage of language/verbal:

i. It is not purely academic writing. However, you need references for “Global
Connection” and other articles for iii since you need to refer somewhere for your
facts. Regarding the writing about African connection (Mr Godswill), you can choose
either to write like a diary or report which you can include your members’ experience
in the issue.
ii. Precise language usage is very important for web content (WC). Writing for WC is
different from the academic writing (AW) for essay. AW requires long and complete
sentences to explain things in details. The paragraphs are also longer. Your choice of
word for academic is more objective or denotative.

iii. Meanwhile, For WC, bullets, shorter and ‘entertaining’ style of language are
necessary. There is also an element of inspiring. In terms of words, you are advise to
choose your important words that is impactful and connotative (you have learned
this word in slide Week 1C). Good example is headline of news. I took random
sample of a news headline (title) China's offshore wind power
efforts gain ground. The word ‘gain ground’ is impactful. It shows
strong progress and strong foundation (compare other words such as ‘is
underway’’ is progressing’).

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Project Report
B. Communicating in Small Group – diversity in the group, listen, learn
from each other and share (20%)

You are required to write an academic report. **In all meetings, appoint notetaker and
observers. She/he is responsible to write down notes and collect evidences, such as Instant
messaging screenshot. His/her job is very critical to collect evidences in interactions among
members.
The structure below guides you to write your report as follows but not limited to:

1. Cover page – Label Project Leader (Assistant Project Leader, if any) on the name of your
leader(s)

2. Check list* (check below explanation)

3. Acknowledgement – Thanks to the lecturer and other parties (Etiquette).

4. Table of Content

5. Introduction – Summarise the vision of your group and the structure of your group
(departments for specialization and to distribute task).

6. Interaction and Collaboration: This section requires more explanation. Explain on how
the members with their roles in these departments and the PM interact and collaborate
to produce a good quality of your Web. Use concepts and skills you learn in this
subject from the beginning including but not limited to:

- Active listening,
- Social norms and etiquette/netiquette,
- How members use verbal and nonverbal communication to make your communication
more effective- assertiveness, empathy
- Group leadership & relate it to theory/style learned.

**This section requires evidence that you have collected (screenshot), picture citation
from books or journal. You are allowed to include quotes or wisdom for this section. The
screenshot and picture require caption (tajuk gambar).

7. Strength
For the strength you can acknowledge the strength of each member when performing
their roles and task.

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8. Challenges: Groupthink and other issue that prevent your group excel, more creative, less
mistakes, more participation

For the challenges try to avoid using word with negative connotation. Example:
Challenges not Weaknesses. Example Quiet in the beginning and started….

If for general weakness you can mention without hesitation such as “…behind the
schedule due to the late response”.

9. Conclusion – Asses your group achievement in achieving communication competency.

10. References – Varied – at least journal article. The rest is web page and ebook

11. Appendices (Lampiran). Write this word at the top right corner.

i. Each member task and photo. IC or casual photo are fine. Describe each job you
are doing.

12. SHOW YOUR IN-PROGRESS WORK or FINAL draft where appropriate TO YOUR
GROUP MEMBERS, DEPARTMENT & PM FOR NEW IDEA, CHECKING FACTS,
& IMPROVING THE CONTENT. The reason I always see different quality in different
section which shows there is no collaboration or monitoring. A good leader will involve
in this process. Then write 1 or 2 paragraph that you have gone through this practice.
Make this as an appendix.

Technical aspects
1. For Project Report – For your picture or screenshot, you need to provide caption (tajuk
gambar).
2. Report word count: Approximately 2000 words exclude references and appendices.
3. Submit Project Report in MS WORD. Submit your WordPress link on the cover page of
your project report (see below).
4. Labeling your files: G1 (Group no) & Ali (leader name) IRLS (your programme)
5. Submission due: Week 7 or 8. Hopefully there is time for each group to
showcase/present informally their websites in the class
6. Double spacing,
7. Font style: Times New Roman, or Century Schoolbook12 point size
8. APA 7th referencing
9. Page number is required for Project Report
10. *Checklist

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Develop your own group checklist of what to do so you won’t forget things and send the
proper report. The checklist needs to attached after cover page. This is quite common
practice before you send your report. The project manager or one of the members should be
responsible of this task. Sample:
https://people.eng.unimelb.edu.au/vkostakos/courses/ubicomp10S/course_material/
tutorial_report_writing.pdf

Appendix A

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 PROJECT REPORT

Title of the project: ____________

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, UNIMAS

Semester 2, 2020/2021, UW6345002 (Social Work)

SSF1063: Communication and Society

Lecturer: Dr. Siti Zanariah Ahmad Ishak

WORDPRESS LINK:__________________________

Group 4

No GROUP MEMBERS MATRIC NUMBER

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 Appendix B
GROUP WORK, SOCIO-CULTURAL NORMS AND DIVERSITY
YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANYTHING FROM HERE TO DECORATE
YOURWORDPRESS

SSF1063 COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY

LECTURER: DR SITI ZANARIAH AHMAD ISHAK

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 COLLABORATIVE LEARNING: VALUING DIVERSITY &
FOSTERING A POSITIVE GROUP WORK ENVIRONMENT

Figure 1: Kapal gas asli cecair (LNG) terapung kedua milik PETRONAS, PFLNG Dua
memulakan pelayarannya dari Korea Selatan ke Lapangan Gas Rotan, 140 kilometer
di luar pesisir Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Source: Zainuddin (2020).
Example: This mind-boggling project is successful mainly because of
collaborative work.

Why collaborative learning?

A typical student may face many attitude and behaviour challenges when
working in a group project. The challenge may be great for the first year
students who study online from home during Covid-19. In addition, they have
never met their classmate face-to-face.
Some instances of the attitude and behaviour challenges are: some
students may not share idea openly, delaying response, some students may
have perception that those who are creative, energetic and critical are ‘weird’
and some students prefer to be quiet rather than showing and sharing their
skills, and ability.

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I have many experiences in teaching that some active students are sadly
being condemned by certain groups of students who have negative attitude.
In summary, On the one hand, many typical students are confirming their
attitude and behaviour in obsolete and negative norms of collectivist
culture* (eg. Face saving, shy, do not want to speak up).
On the other hand , students are expected by the lecturer to have a
dynamic practice of collectivist culture such as communicate
actively with respect* and opening up to new ideas. In addition,
students are expected to practice communication skills learned in this class.
Communication skills will help students to achieve better quality of work and
as the same time enjoying an inspiring social relations and interaction.
Additionally, diversity can be achieved through practicing cross-cultural and
intercultural communication. From training perspective:
…intercultural communication acknowledges the coexistence of
multiple cultures in a single space. However, it goes one step further by
focusing on the productive encounters that are constantly taking place
between cultures. If individuals can embody or perform multiple cultures,
then any interaction between two people can potentially be an intercultural
one (What’s the difference between multicultural, intercultural, and cross-
cultural communication?, n.d, para 5).

“The key aspect of cross-cultural communication is the comparison

between two (or more) cultures. Researchers in this field attempt to
objectively analyze the communication styles for the same contexts in
different cultures.
For example, how do two groups differently handle a business situation like
a job interview or board meeting? This kind of perspective is most useful for
workers who are planning to relocate abroad.” (para 7 & 8)

Below are explanations of the key concepts of

collaborative learning:
1. Collaborative learning defined:
"Collaborative learning combines two key goals: learning to work and solve
problems in the company of others, and sharpening one’s own understanding
by listening seriously to the insights of others, especially those with different
backgrounds and life experiences. Approaches range from study groups
within a course, to team-based assignments and writing, to cooperative
projects and research." (Transformative Learning, n.d)
 The meaning of collaborative learning has included positive and active
communication among members of different roles and skills.
 Team work is one example of collaborative learning.

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2. Valuing diversity defined
“In the context of the workplace, [or group work] valuing diversity means creating a
work environment that respects and includes difference, recognizing the unique
contributions that individuals with many types of differences can make and
maximizes the potential of all employees” [group members]. (Knowledge Leader
Editor, 2018).
In summary valuing diversity is:
Recognising and valuing differences in the team. Many of us know about this but
may not embrace it honestly and fully. Eg. A Moderate achiever may learn from high
achiever.

3. Positive Group Work Environment Defined:

The concept refers to the existence of inspiring and conducive group work
environment.
How to Create Positive Group Work environment?

To get the most out of your group members, you have to create a positive work
environment for the entire team. When people feel encouraged, accepted and happy,
they become more motivated and perform better. Isn’t that a nice formula?

Yes, it takes time out of your day, but the process of creating a joyous virtual group
work brings a sense of purpose to your work and results in dedicated performances.
Project manager and members need to work and support each other. All aboard?

Here are five tips and the slides notes in Learning Unit to create a positive work
environment for your team:
i. Engage in meaningful (in-person) dialog. (Leadership and team roles topic;
communication competence topic)
ii. Show your appreciation & acknowledgement. (interpersonal etiquette topic)

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iii.Listen to everyone's ideas. (Assertiveness feedback topic)
iv. Trust your team members. (Leadership and team roles topic)
v. Be spontaneous and have a little fun. (Leadership and team roles topic)

Adapted from LiquidPlanner (n.d)

Collectivist culture*
Asians culture is highly collectivist, where they self-identified themselves with an in-
group characteristic, while Westerners are individualists, which means that they are
more independent and uphold individual right (No0rdin, 2004).
For quick info check this:
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-collectivistic-cultures-2794962

Communicate actively with respect in group publicly*

The FIVE tips: Samples
i. Engage in meaningful (in-person) dialog. Example: Encourage all
members to contribute or give ideas. How about you, Tasha?. Tasha must
respond, not saying. “tak ada apa-apa”. At least Tasha says, “saya
sokong cadangan awak kerana…..”

ii. Show your appreciation & acknowledgement. ‘thank you for sending the
work fast’, ‘rujukan yang awak buat ni lengkap”

iii. Listen to everyone's ideas. Be it constructive feedback, praise or complain.

If you want to complain, appreciate other aspect first.

iv. Trust your team members. When manager assigns task, do it properly.
If you do not know, always try to learn, ask and double check with other
people, swab task.

v. Be spontaneous and have a little fun. Example: Sometimes create an

informal meeting environment. Make a pleasant joke

References
LiquidPlanner, (n.d). 5 Ways to Create a Positive Work Environment.
https://www.liquidplanner.com/blog/5-ways-to-create-a-positive-work-environment/

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Knowledge Leader Editor, (2018). What Is Diversity in the Workplace and Why
Should You Care? https://knowledge-leader.colliers.com/editor/what-is-diversity-
in-the-workplace-and-why-should-you-care/#:~:text=In%20the%20context%20of
%20the,the%20potential%20of%20all%20employees .
Noordin, F. (2004). Individualism-Collectivism: A Comparative Study of Malaysian
and Australian Managers. Gading Business and Management Journal. 8 (1), 55-82.
Transformative Learning, (n.d). Collaborative Assignments & Projects.
https://sites.google.com/a/tamu.edu/transformative-learning/collaborative-
assignments-projects-v-4
What’s the difference between multicultural, intercultural, and cross-cultural
communication?,( n.d), Global Arena. https://globalarena.com/difference-between-
multicultural-intercultural-cross-cultural-communication/
Zainuddin, M.Z. (2020, February 19). Kapal PFLNG Dua PETRONAS mulakan pelayaran,
(PFLNG Dua Ship starts its voyage). Berita Harian - Corporat Section.
https://www.bharian.com.my/bisnes/korporat/2020/02/657170/kapal-pflng-dua-petronas-
mulakan-pelayaran

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