Project Marking Scheme

Layout = 6 points

  • Using the full capabilities of the site/platform (e.g. UBC Blogs) to create your project pages. UBC Blogs is an easy and free way to set up a WordPress based site, though there are non-UBC options. Here is a quick start guide to get you going but you can also see the UBC Blogs FAQ. (Remember that you don’t need to make this site public if you don’t want, just ensure that the TA and Instructor have access to it. And do consider there are also advantages (portfolios and contributions to public understanding) that come from public publishing!)
  • Navigation
  • Organization

Writing = 6 points

  • Style
  • Grammar
  • Flow

Content = 15 points

  • Complexity (going beyond the course; evaluation is dependent upon the number of members in your group)
  • Analysis (proper and appropriate use of analytical routine)
  • Database (proper and appropriate use of data)
  • Discussion (breadth and depth related to specific topic, examination of spatial data concerns, inclusion of appropriate literature citations)

Presentation (10 minutes) = 3 points.

  • Structure
  • Flow
  • Concise presentation of findings

Total Marks 30/30

SELF AND TEAM ASSESSMENT is also required to be submitted here after you are done with the rest of the project. We can’t grade the projects until you have submitted this. Details:

  • Regardless if you did the project alone or in a group, you’re required to write a paragraph reflecting on what strategies worked for you, what strategies didn’t work so well, and why. If you worked in a group, please comment on your roles within group dynamics.
  • Also, if you did a project in a group, each project team member is further required to write another paragraph explaining how much each person contributed to the overall project (based on your individual assessment). So, if there are three team members and you feel that each of you contributed equally to the project, then you would give each person 33%.  However, if you feel that one person didn’t contribute as much as the others, then you could assign that person a smaller percentage (say 20%) and 40% to yourself and the other team member. Do explain your reasoning, regardless.

Things to remember:

  1. Make sure that all of your links to maps, graphics, etc. are all coded properly. For maps it is often important to provide both a thumbnail image (to fit on the page) as well as a link to a full-sized map (e.g., PDF).
  2. Proofread your pages.
  3. If you have the time, check out how previous students have coded their pages with respect to navigation.
  4. Think about the layout of your work. In particular, pay attention to the size of the font, the background and text colour, paragraph structure, etc.
  5. Images: There are multiple image formats you can save your images in. Check the difference in quality between the different types (e.g., jpg, img, png, tiff) before saving your images. You can use Paint or other programs such as GIMP and Inkscape (open source raster and vector graphics programs, though in the lab, you also have Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator) to view, save, and manipulate these files. You can also save your maps as PDF files.
  6. Be creative; impress the viewer!
  7. Proofread your pages again!