Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

Digital Documentary
Plants, Landscapes, & the Environment, HORT 100, Spring 2020
Dr. Sam Wortman, University of Nebraska – Lincoln 
75 points

Digital Documentary (40 points): Investigate a unique challenge in plant and landscape systems, explore at least three possible solutions, and develop a recommended plan of action. Communicate your findings using digital media (which might include, but is not limited to: podcasts, YouTube videos, social media platform “threads,”, or websites). 

Find a challenge or topic area we did not discuss in class, or dive much deeper into a topic we did discuss. Some examples of “challenges” we discussed in-depth during class include: 1) sustainability of peat moss in the greenhouse industry (your 1st decision-support matrix), 2) GMO biotechnology applications to reduce food waste, and 3) labor shortages in the produce industry. The goal is for students to uncover new information about a challenge and possible solutions, not simply to repackage knowledge gained during lecture. However, lecture information should supplement and support discovery and analysis of your challenge area.

The biological, ecological, socio-economic, and/or environmental principles and background of the challenge should be presented in addition to three possible solutions to the challenge and an evidence-based recommendation for future action (see further details in Decision-Support Matrix and grading rubric below). 

Identify a target audience and choose a digital media type that is most appropriate for them (as an extreme example: if your target audience is pre-school children, you would not include any text in your presentation because there is an expectation that your audience cannot read).

The only formatting requirement is that the documentary must be hosted online and available to instructors and peers via web link (can be public or private, but must be online). No file download should be required for the viewer (this creates problems when files are too large or the file type is rare). If your documentary is recorded (e.g., podcasts), it should be between a minimum of three and a maximum of five minutes long. If it is not recorded (e.g., websites), it should take a similar amount of time for the average person to independently navigate the content. 

Decision-Support Matrix (25 points): The digital documentary, particularly sections on “solutions” and “future,” should be supported by completion and submission of the decision matrix below. 

Peer Review (10 points): Each student will be assigned to review six other students’ documentaries. Each review must include completion of the grading rubric provided in Canvas (and shown below) and at least two specific suggestions (typed in the comment box) for improving the documentary (positive feedback is always welcome and encouraged, but not required). Students are required to review only the documentary, NOT the decision-support matrix (though it will be visible to reviewers in Canvas).





Points
Criteria and Qualities
10
8
6
4 or less
Challenge

The plant and landscape system challenge is clearly described. The scope and magnitude of the problem is well-defined. Important scientific principles are explained.
Challenge is described, but the scope and magnitude of the problem are not well-defined, or key scientific principles are left unexplained.  
Challenge is not well described. Scope, magnitude, and scientific background of problem are unclear. 
Challenge is not identified.
Solutions
Science-based analysis of status quo approach and alternative solutions are clearly presented with ample evidence. 
Status quo and alternative solutions are presented, but lacks clarity and sufficient science-based evidence.
Status quo and alternative solutions are presented, but not analyzed using science-based evidence. 
Status quo and alternative solutions to the challenge are not presented.
Future
Recommended solution or plan for future action to address the challenge is innovative, evidence-based, and potentially impactful. Solution implications are discussed within context of appropriate plant and landscape systems.
Recommended solution or plan for future action is innovative and potentially impactful, but lacks sufficient evidence-based justification or systems context. 
Recommended solution or plan for future action is likely not an improvement over the status quo, and was not justified with science-based evidence. The solution is not evaluated within the context of the broader plant and landscape system.
A recommendation for future action is not presented or is unclear.
Documentary Quality
Documentary is creative, engaging, and persuasive. Content is well-polished and free of technical mistakes. Digital media is most appropriate for content delivery to target audience. 
Documentary is creative, engaging, and persuasive, but has some technical mistakes or media choice could be improved.
Documentary is complete, but lacks creative, engaging, or persuasive elements.  
Documentary is poorly produced, contains many technical mistakes, and media chosen is inappropriate for target audience.
Peer Review
Student reviewed six assigned documentaries and provided a complete rubric with at least three specific suggestions for improvement.
Student reviewed six assigned documentaries and provided a complete rubric, but specific suggestions are incomplete.
Student did not review six assigned documentaries, and rubrics and specific suggestions are incomplete. 
Peer review was not completed.


***Final Project Form to be submitted via Canvas***

Name: _______________________________________
Challenge Topic: _______________________________________
Link to Documentary: __________________________________ (please also include link as a comment with your submission in Canvas)
Solution Matrix. (3 points)


Solution Performance Scores (1-4; 1 = poor, 4 = excellent)

Factor Weight (0 to 1)
Status Quo:
Solution 1:
Solution 2:
Solution 3:

Decision Factor 1:






Decision Factor 2:






Decision Factor 3:






Decision Factor 4:






Aggregate, Weighted Solution Score






Within the appropriate matrix cell, using 10 point font, please provide:

•    A science-based justification (including citations when necessary) for each decision factor and factor weight. (6 points)

•    A science-based justification (including citations when necessary) for each solution performance score. (12 points)
Multiply each solution performance score by the factor weight, and add all weighted scores within a column to determine the aggregate, weighted score for each solution.

•    Which solution is best based on the weighted solution scores? Does this match the solution that you “believed” to be best before beginning the exercise? Why or why not? (2 points)

•    How will these results inform your plan for future action? Is there room for innovation beyond the solutions compared here? (2 points)