Indigenous Mobile App Case Study

Working individually, students research, analyse and present a case study on an existing Australian Indigenous mobile app. Students analyse and critically reflect on the selected project, examining how Indigenous Australians and Indigenous culture are represented within the app. They reflect on the professional application of Indigenous principles and protocols within the chosen app. Students also critically reflect on the app’s target audience, genre, UX/UI, key content, functionality, accessibility, innovation or other relevant issues or features. The case study is to be presented as a video presentation with accompanying slides, submitted to Canvas.

DIGITAL PUBLISHING FOR APPS
Assessment Item 1: Indigenous Mobile App Case Study (40%)
Task Description
Working individually, students research, analyse and present a case study on an existing
Australian Indigenous mobile app. Students analyse and critically reflect on the selected
project, examining how Indigenous Australians and Indigenous culture are represented within
the app. They reflect on the professional application of Indigenous principles and protocols
within the chosen app. Students also critically reflect on the app’s target audience, genre,
UX/UI, key content, functionality, accessibility, innovation or other relevant issues or features.
The case study is to be presented as a video presentation with accompanying slides,
submitted to Canvas. A PDF of the case study presentation text or voice over in the form of a
summary of key points must be submitted to Turnitin.
Specifications
Word Length:
Due Date:
Submission Format:
Subject Objectives:
CILOS:
6-8 minute video presentation
Monday 20th March
Video presentation and textual key point summary
a, b, and c
2.1, 4.1 & 6.1
Criteria
Criteria
Clarity and professionalism of verbal presentation
Depth of analysis concerning Indigenous culture and representation
Depth of analysis concerning Indigenous principles and protocols
Relevance of critical reflection and analysis with regard to app design issues
Professionalism and design standard of support materials
Weighting
25%
20%
20%
20%
15%
1
Brief
You will select an Indigenous Australian mobile app from the list provided below and then
research, reflect, critique, form an opinion and present your case study in a 6-8 min video
presentation. The analysis should include a reflection/discussion of the following:
•
Background and Context – Who created the app and what is its purpose, aims, genre
(e.g., language, culture, health, social, etc.)?
•
Users / Target Audience – Is the app designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people or the general public? How do you know this? How appropriately does it
speak to / engage with its implied audience or users? Is there a key promise, objective
or value proposition for this app? Does it deliver on its objective/ proposition/ promise?
•
Indigenous Culture and Representation – How are Indigenous Australians and
Indigenous culture represented within the app? How nuanced are the representations of
indigenous Australians and/ or Indigenous culture within the app? Is there evidence of
engagement and input from a relevant Indigenous community? In what ways? How
have issues of Indigenous contents and/or copyright been handled or acknowledged? Is
there evidence of misappropriation of cultural content? Is there any tension between the
creators of the app and the end users? What assumptions have been made about the
users? Are these valid?
•
Indigenous Principles & Protocols – How well does the app engage with recognised
Principles and Protocols concerning working with Indigenous Australians, contents and
culture? How does it demonstrate this within the app or related content? (You must refer
to the IPP document and relevant principles and protocols)
•
UX/UI – How does the app function? Is it intuitive and easy to use for the target
audience? Is the user interface design, navigability etc. of the app appropriate and
contemporary? Are there any issues or problems with the user experience, functionality,
UX/UI? Does the UX/UI appropriately incorporate, credit or engage with Indigenous
contents? Feel free to discuss features that are interesting, engaging, unique or
problematic. How is cultural fluency considered or not and how does the app conform
(or not) to Western-centric design? What potential issues does this raise?
Submission Requirements
Presentation Slides and Narration
You must use a visual presentation format (such as PowerPoint/Google slides or similar
platform) and include supporting materials such as annotated screen shots of the app and/or
video recordings to illustrate your main points in the case study.
Avoid reading directly from a script, or off a page or screen. You should be engaging and
animated. Practice your presentation and avoid submitting your first attempt. This is the benefit
of submitting a video, rather than conducting an in-class presentation. The presentation should
be professionally delivered and demonstrate your skills in verbal, written and visual
2
communication.
Video recording and editing
You will submit as a video file (.mov or .mp4) and can record via QuickTime screen recording,
Zoom recording, MS Teams recoding, or other similar formats. Please watch the videos and
check out the other resources in the “Video Presentations” mini module on Canvas. Your video
presentation can be edited (i.e., not just a single take). It is recommended that you at least trim
your presentation to ensure it begins and ends where you want it.
Naming Convention
Please ensure you save your video file using the provided naming convention.
StudentNumber_Surname_FirstName_WrkNumber_CaseStudy (e.g.)
12345678_Stark_Ned_Wrk3_Soundtrails
87654321_Simpson_Homer_Wrk9_iBobbly
Summary of Key Talking Points
You also need to submit a pdf summary of the textual content and key talking points to Turnitin
on Canvas, along with your video file. This does not need to be professionally presented;
however, it should be logically laid out and able to be read by Turnitin. This part is not marked
but it is used for academic integrity purposes.
App List
A broad list of possible apps is included below (the list is updated each year, however, is not
exhaustive). You should familiarise yourself with several of these before deciding on your case
study app and check that you have the ability to use it on your personal device (as some are
for iOS, Android, mobile phone and iPad).
1. AODconnect
2. Balnhdhurr
3. Barangaroo Ngangamay Multimedia Experience App
4. Bay Country
5. Break it Down
6. Bunjil’s Quest
7. CommDoc – Community Consultation Language App
8. Good Tucker
9. iBobbly
10. Indigenous Australian: Art Gallery of New South Wales
11. Indigemoji
12. Koori Mail
13. Living Archive of Aboriginal Languages App
14. NSW AECG languages app
15. Miriwoong language
16. Ngarandi
17. Ngarluma Vocab Builder
18. Ngugurrah- Australian Aboriginal Interactive Storybook (designed for iPad)
19. SA National Parks Tours
20. Sharing the Dreaming
21. Soundtrails
3
22. Trakz
23. Walking Darug Country
24. Welcome to Country
25. Yorta Yorta
Additional Resources
There will be in-class activities to help prepare you for this assessment. The subject outline
and Canvas also provide a range of relevant references, including:
•
•
•
•
•
Indigenous Principles and Protocols (IPP document) via Danièle Hromek and UTS
Design Index
Video interviews with John Saulo and Liam Ridgeway, founders of NGNY Digital Media.
Produced at UTS ©2019.
Koori Design, 2018. ‘Avoiding Cultural Misappropriation’ animated video in
UTSDesignIndex.com
Hromek, D. 2017, ‘Indigenous Methodologies’ in UTSDesignIndex.com
Link to a site written by Anita Heiss regarding local (Sydney) cultural groups

Aboriginal people and place

4
Rubric
Criteria
Clarity and
professionalism
of verbal
presentation
(25%)
Fail
The case study lacks
clarity and
coherence- it is
broadly uneven,
patchy or poorly
conveyed. The
presentation lacks
confidence, clarity
and professionalism.
The narration / vocal
components may be
very poorly delivered
or very difficult to
hear. Overall, the
presentation may lack
sufficient clarity, is
poorly structured, or
may use time
ineffectively.
Pass
The case study
displays reasonable
clarity and coherence
overall. The
presentation is
reasonably confident,
clear and professional.
The narration / vocal
components are for the
most part fairly well
delivered and audible,
even if there is
inconsistency in parts.
Overall, the
presentation has
reasonable clarity but
there may be room for
improvement in the
structure or ordering of
information.
Credit
The case study
displays good clarity
and coherence overall.
The presentation is
quite confident, clear
and professional. The
narration / vocal
components are quite
well delivered and
audible. Overall, the
presentation makes
good sense, logically
and in its internal
structure.
Distinction
The case study
displays a solid degree
of clarity and
coherence. The
presentation is very
confident, clear and
professional. The
narration / vocal
components are very
well delivered and
highly audible. Overall,
the presentation makes
very good sense, both
logically and in its
internal structure, and
conveys a good range
of information
convincingly in the
timeframe.
Depth of analysis
with regards to
Indigenous
culture and
representation
(20%)
The case study lacks
an adequate degree
of analysis
concerning
Indigenous culture
and representation
regarding the
selected app. Key
issues may be
missed or have
inadequate detail, or
the student may
appear to be
adlibbing or skimming
to distract from lack
The case study
displays a reasonable
degree of analysis
concerning Indigenous
culture and
representation
regarding the selected
app. Key issues are
covered with generally
reasonable detail.
Students demonstrate
adequate engagement
with relevant issues
around Indigenous
culture and
The case study
displays a good degree
of analysis concerning
Indigenous culture and
representation
regarding the selected
app. Key issues are
covered with a good
level of detail. Students
demonstrate good
engagement with
relevant issues around
Indigenous culture and
representation raised
by the app. They draw
The case study
displays a strong
degree of analysis
concerning Indigenous
culture and
representation
regarding the selected
app. Key issues are
covered with a high
level of detail and
sensitivity. Students
demonstrate solid
engagement with
relevant issues around
Indigenous culture and
High Distinction
The case study displays
an outstanding degree of
clarity and coherence. The
presentation is
exceptionally confident,
clear and professional.
The narration / vocal
components are extremely
well delivered and highly
audible. Extra care may
have been taken to
ensure outstanding audio
quality of verbal / voice
elements. Overall, the
presentation is engaging,
logical and in its internal
structure, and conveys a
highly convincing and
impressive range of
information in the
timeframe.
The case study displays
an excellent degree of
analysis concerning
Indigenous culture and
representation regarding
the selected app. Key
issues are covered with
an excellent level of detail
and sensitivity. Students
demonstrate outstanding
engagement with relevant
issues around Indigenous
culture and representation
raised by the app. They
draw highly & pertinently
Depth of analysis
with regards to
Indigenous
principles and
protocols
(20%)
Relevance of
critical reflection
and analysis with
regards to app
design issues
of understanding.
Students are unable
to demonstrate
adequate
engagement with
relevant issues
around Indigenous
culture and
representation raised
by the app.
The case study lacks
an adequate degree
of analysis
concerning the
application of
Indigenous principles
and protocols within
the selected app.
There may be
inadequate detail,
failure to identify
principles and
protocols in action, or
show a lack of
understanding.
Students are unable
to demonstrate
adequate
engagement or
understanding with
relevant Indigenous
principles and
protocols. Their
engagement with
additional resources
is limited or missing.
The case study lacks
an adequate degree
of analysis
concerning app
design / UX/UI
representation raised
by the app, and with
the additional
resources provided.
well on the additional
resources provided.
representation raised
by the app. They draw
highly and pertinently
on the additional
resources provided to
deliver a thoughtful,
quality presentation.
on the additional
resources to deliver a
nuanced, interesting and
impressive presentation.
The case study
displays a reasonable
degree of analysis
concerning the
application of
Indigenous principles
and protocols within
the selected app. Key
issues are covered
with generally
reasonable detail.
Students demonstrate
adequate
understanding and
engagement with
relevant Indigenous
principles and
protocols. Their
engagement with
additional relevant
resources is adequate.
The case study
displays a good degree
of analysis concerning
the application of
Indigenous principles
and protocols within
the selected app. Key
areas are covered with
a good level of detail.
Students demonstrate
good understanding
and engagement with
relevant Indigenous
principles and
protocols. They draw
well on the additional
resources provided.
The case study
displays a strong
degree of analysis
concerning the
application of
Indigenous principles
and protocols within
the selected app. Key
issues are covered
with a high level of
detail and sensitivity.
Students demonstrate
solid understanding
and engagement with
relevant Indigenous
principles and
protocols. They draw
highly and pertinently
on the additional
resources provided to
deliver a thoughtful,
quality presentation.
The case study displays
an excellent degree of
analysis concerning the
application of Indigenous
principles and protocols
within the selected app.
Key issues are covered
with an excellent level of
detail and sensitivity.
Students demonstrate
outstanding understanding
of and engagement with
Indigenous principles and
protocols. They draw
highly and pertinently on
the additional resources
provided to deliver a
nuanced, interesting and
impressive presentation.
The case study
displays a reasonable
degree of analysis
concerning app design
/ UX/UI issues. These
The case study
displays a good degree
of analysis concerning
app design / UX/UI
issues. These are
The case study
displays a strong
degree of analysis
concerning app design
/ UX/UI issues. These
The case study displays
an excellent degree of
analysis concerning app
design / UX/UI issues.
These are covered in
6
(20%)
Professionalism
and design
standard of
support materials
(15%)
issues. Key issues
may be missed or
have inadequate
detail. Students are
unable to
demonstrate
adequate
engagement or
understanding of
relevant app design
issues.
Support materials –
slides, graphics etc. –
are of poor or very
uneven quality.
Minimal effort is
evidenced in the
support materials.
Image contents –
especially
Indigenous– are not
referenced.
are covered with
generally reasonable
detail. Students
demonstrate adequate
engagement and
understanding with a
range of relevant app
design issues.
covered in good detail.
Students demonstrate
good engagement and
understanding with a
range of relevant app
design issues.
are covered in solid
detail. Students
demonstrate strong
engagement and
understanding with a
range of relevant app
design issues and
convey these in
culturally sensitive
ways.
excellent detail. Students
demonstrate excellent
engagement and
understanding with a
range of relevant app
design issues and convey
these in culturally
sensitive ways.
Support materials –
slides, graphics etc. –
are evident and of
reasonable quality.
Reasonable effort is
made with the support
materials to aid the
presentation, however
there may be some
room for improvement
in the image/ graphics
quality of the
presentation.
Image contents –
especially Indigenous–
are referenced.
Support materials –
slides, graphics etc. –
are relevant and of
good, quite consistent
quality overall. A good
effort is made with the
support materials to aid
the coherence and
clarity of presentation.
Image contents –
especially Indigenous –
are appropriately
referenced.
Support materials –
slides, graphics etc. –
are of a solid
consistent quality
overall. A strong effort
is made with the
support materials to aid
the coherence and
clarity of presentation.
All image contents –
including Indigenous –
are appropriately
referenced. Any
additional audio/video
content is culturally
appropriate and
referenced.
Support materials – slides,
graphics etc. – are of an
excellent and highly
consistent quality overall.
An excellent effort has
been made with the
support materials to
enhance the coherence
and clarity of presentation.
All image contents are
appropriately referenced.
Any additional audio/video
content is culturally
appropriate and
referenced.
7