KA2 is the researched-report Key Assignment

KA2 is the second Key Assignment you need to submit for Introduction to ICT. It asks you to produce a short, researched report using word-processing tools. The smart move is to pick a topic that also counts as evidence in another LCA course you're taking, so one piece of research pays into two credits and still pushes your Something Real project forward.

Today is Part 1: pick the topic, plan the structure, and get a working first draft into your portfolio. Part 2 handles polish and citation fixes.

Warm-up

Think about the other LCA courses you're currently doing. Which one has a topic you could already explain to a classmate without having to look anything up first? That's the topic most likely to count as evidence in both courses without doubling your workload.

Five ideas you'll use across both sessions of this KA2 workshop.

Before you write anything, invest 10 minutes picking the right topic. A KA2 topic that also feeds another LCA course and your Something Real project is worth three times the effort of a topic that only counts for one credit.

Open your portfolio folder, create a new document called {{code:04_ka2_research_report}}, and use it as a scratchpad for the prompts below. You won't keep everything you write here — you're narrowing down. When you've landed on a topic, write its name at the top of the document along with the two body-section names. Those will anchor your first draft in the next step.

Work through the prompts in order. There is no single right answer; this is about picking the topic that does the most work for you.

Mini project: draft {{code:04_ka2_research_report}}

You have 25 minutes to land a working first draft in your portfolio. It will not be perfect — Part 2 next session handles polish, citations, and formatting fixes — but by the end of today every section must be written and the structural bones must be in place.

Before you draft: two quick click-paths

These are the two skills most students trip on during the draft. Try each one once before the clock starts.

Applying Heading 1 and Heading 2:

• Word Online: Click on the line you want to style. Go to the {{btn:Home}} tab, find the Styles gallery on the ribbon, and click {{btn:Heading 1}} for your title or {{btn:Heading 2}} for a section title.
• Google Docs: Click on the line you want to style. In the toolbar, click the Styles dropdown (it currently reads {{btn:Normal text}}) and choose {{btn:Heading 1}} or {{btn:Heading 2}}.

Adding an image with a caption:

• Word Online: Click where you want the image, then {{menu:Insert -> Picture -> This Device}} (or choose {{menu:Insert -> Picture -> OneDrive}} for files you've already uploaded). Click the empty line below the image and type your caption in italics.
• Google Docs: Click where you want the image, then {{menu:Insert -> Image -> Upload from computer}} (or {{menu:Insert -> Image -> Drive}}). Click the line below the image and type your caption in italics.
• A phone photo of your own workplace, tool, or sample saved to OneDrive or Google Drive works perfectly and is copyright-safe.

Recommended structure for today's draft (1–2 pages)

This is a clear practical shape for a short KA2 report. It isn't the only valid structure, but it's the one we're using in the workshop so everyone has the same scaffolding to build on in Part 2.

• Title — the topic, formatted with Heading 1 style from the Styles menu
• Introduction — one short paragraph saying what the report is about, why it matters, and what the two body sections will cover
• Body Section 1 — a clear Heading 2, then 2–3 paragraphs
• Body Section 2 — a clear Heading 2, then 2–3 paragraphs
• At least one image or chart — placed inside one of the body sections, with a one-line caption underneath explaining what it shows
• Conclusion — one short paragraph answering: what did the research show you, and what's your one main takeaway
• Sources — a short list at the bottom with at least three entries (source name, title, date)

How to work:

• Write the introduction last, once you know what the body actually says.
• Use Heading 2 from the Styles menu for your two body-section titles. Do not just type in bold — typed bold will not appear in the navigation pane or in the PDF bookmarks, and you will have to redo it in Part 2.
• If you get stuck on a sentence, type [TODO] and keep moving. Part 2 is for polishing; today is for landing the shape.
• If you can't find a third source right now, list the two you have, add [TODO: third source], and move on. Don't let the sources search eat your drafting time.
• Required floor if you're running out of time: Heading 1 title, two Heading 2 section stubs, at least one fully-written body section, and two sources. The rest (second body section fully written, image with caption, third source) becomes a stretch goal you finish in Part 2. Everyone must land at least the floor before they leave today.

Finishing mark: when you have 4 minutes left, stop writing and save. Open the navigation pane ({{menu:View -> Navigation}} in Word Online, or {{menu:View -> Show document outline}} in Google Docs). You should see your two Heading 2 sections listed. If you don't, you've used bold instead of the Heading 2 style — fix it before you leave.

Common Issues