Introductory description

This module focuses on designing innovative digital solutions with commercial value, exploring emerging technologies and their transformative potential. Through the lens of ethics and sustainability, students will create and market future-focused applications, developing strategies to foster connected communities and optimise digital platforms for business growth and effective online engagement.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Indicative content (content subject to change)

1. Assessment Overview & Introduction to Digital Platforms and Communities
   Overview of the assessments and introduction to digital platforms, communities, and their importance in business, trust, belonging, and user-centred design.
2. Key Concepts
   Exploration of concepts such as digital brand loyalty, sense of belonging, and the role of social media in community engagement.
3. The Role of AI in Digital Communities
   Discussing the impact of AI, generative AI, and automation tools on user interaction and community building.
4. Introduction to Design Thinking
   Introducing the Design Thinking methodology to help students develop innovative ideas for digital platforms and communities.
5. Hands-On Technical Part
   Practical sessions focusing on online service platforms (e.g., healthcare services) and social networking platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, StackOverflow).
   Students will gain technical knowledge to set up, manage, and assess digital communities.
6. Emerging Trends and Challenges in Digital Communities
   Exploration of emerging technological trends such as chatbots, automation, and the challenges of misinformation (e.g., fake news).
7. Group Work: Conceptualising a New Digital Community
   In groups, students will conceptualise a new digital community, applying design thinking principles, focusing on both commercial viability and social sustainability (creating a sense of belonging).
8. Developing Commercial and Social Sustainability Strategies
   Students will integrate strategies for digital marketing and engagement within their community design, considering long-term sustainability and user-centred design.
9. Individual Assignment: Conceptualising a Digital Solution
   Each student will conceptualise a digital solution (e.g., a platform, app, or service) for a business or social purpose, demonstrating their understanding of design principles and commercial potential.
10. Assessments
    Students will present their group projects and pitch their digital communities and solutions in the final week. The individual assessment deadline will be several weeks after the end of the module.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of theoretical and empirical approaches when solving complex problems and creating digital communities.
• Critically evaluate the commercial and social sustainability potential of digital communities and other digital solutions, and their role in achieving business objectives
• Analyse real-world case studies to identify opportunities and challenges in leveraging digital technologies for strategic business goals.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

Apply appropriate theories, concepts and research to the identification, formulation and solution to solve commerical and/or sustainability-related problems.

Subject specific skills

Design and propose innovative digital platforms, applications, or solutions, including in one instance a digital community, demonstrating its commercial viability and ability to foster connected communities.
Apply appropriate theories, concepts and research to the identification, formulation and solution of digital platforms, applications and communties.
Apply and critically evaluate concepts, theories and methodologies in contemporary social media practices and their management, with digital communities being an integral part.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate communication skills (including group working skills)/ academic writing by communicating and pitching digital solutions effectively to diverse audiences, showcasing leadership and teamwork in collaborative environments.
Demonstrate problem solving skills