Overview
This assessment invites students to create a short, recorded presentation in the form of a smartphone optimised video essay. By engaging with contemporary storytelling formats and integrating audiovisual elements, students develop confidence, creativity, and professional communication skills. The task empowers learners to experiment while building foundational journalism capabilities, preparing them for a rapidly evolving media landscape where credibility, clarity, and adaptability are essential.
Glynn Greensmith
Faculty of Humanities
About my unit: Faculty of Humanities | Under 100 students | In-Person | Individual work
Dr Glynn Greensmith, Senior Lecturer in Journalism from the School of MCASI, shares his innovative approach to developing early career journalists through a smartphone-ready video essay assessment. This task encourages students to blend concise storytelling with mobile-first design, experiment with audiovisual techniques, and practice delivering factual, engaging content for contemporary audiences. The assessment fosters confidence, creativity, and professionalism while grounding students in current industry expectations.
This assessment requires students to produce a three-minute video essay based on an assigned source such as a news story. Students combine visual and audio elements to craft a cohesive narrative specifically designed for smartphone viewing – reflecting the reality of how audiences increasingly consume news content. They receive training in tools like Adobe Premiere and may also use generative AI to refine scripts or develop visual components.
Industry-standard expectations underpin the task, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, ethical storytelling, and audience awareness. Students also benefit from guidance from journalism alumni and classroom visits from industry partners, helping them understand current media trends, presentation techniques, and the balance between creativity and credibility. The assessment fosters experimentation, personal expression, and professionalism in a supportive environment.
Suggested Marking Criteria
Note: Marking criteria are suggested guidelines. Specific descriptions should be adapted to relevant content and learning objectives.