Course Title: Communicate in the workplace

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2007

Course Code: EMPL5395C

Course Title: Communicate in the workplace

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4170 - Certificate IV in Financial Services

Course Contact : Seymour Jacobson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1563

Course Contact Email:seymour.jacobson@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

natalie.sherlock@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

Communicate in the workplace covers the fundamental communication skills needed to work in any sector of the finance industry. It includes the skills needed for interacting with customers,  internal and external and for receiving, recording and giving information.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

FNSICGEN301A Communicate in the workplace

Element:

Communicate information to others using a range of techniques

Performance Criteria:

• Clear speech and language appropriate to the audience are used when communicating information.
• Information is accurately conveyed.
• Understanding of information is confirmed.
• Contributions are made to team discussions and informal meetings.
• Routine correspondence is prepared following industry and organisation standards.
• Numbers are used to carry out calculations as required.

Element:

Interact with others to achieve workplace outcomes

Performance Criteria:

• Effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniques are used to convey messages and information.
• Communication with people from diverse backgrounds is based on respect and sensitivity.
• Own role in achieving workplace outcome is defined.
• Constructive contributions are made to group decision-making processes.

Element:

Record workplace information as required.

Performance Criteria:

• Workplace form and documents are completed, either manually or electronically, in a clear, concise and easy to read format.
• Workplace records are kept up-to-date.

Element:

Use a range of techniques to gain workplace information

Performance Criteria:

• Instructions are followed and, where necessary, questions asked to clarify what is required.
• Information is accessed from record systems and used according to instructions.
• Organisational procedures and policies related to workplace information are understood and implemented appropriately.
• Information is acquired and used appropriately for its purpose
• Information is received orally using effective telephone techniques where necessary
• Clarification is sought from appropriate personnel, as required.


Learning Outcomes


Refer to performance elements and performance criteria.


Details of Learning Activities

This unit consists of two learning competencies. Communicate in the workplace covers the fundamental communication skills needed to work in any sector of the finance industry. It includes the skills needed for interacting with customers, internal and external, and for receiving, recording and giving information.


Teaching Schedule

Week Topics Assessment
1 Exchanging information effectively: importance in the financial services industry  
2 Communications skills: definitions, barriers to interpersonal and written communication  
3 Giving information effectively: job applications Homework for Document folio
4 Giving information: electronic mail Homework for Document folio
5 Giving information: business correspondence Homework for Document folio
6 Giving information: business correspondence Homework for Document folio
7 Test 1. Document folio containing at least 5 correspondence documents
2. Test
8 Giving and receiving accurate information: interpersonal skills  
9 Working in teams  
10 Team meetings 3. Team meeting
11 Gaining accurate information: research electronic and hard copy sources  
12 Technical report writing  
13 Report writing: citation and referencing  
14 Report writing Draft Assessment 3 Group Report due
15 Giving verbal/PowerPoint presentations 4. Group Report due
16 PowerPoint practice sessions 5. PowerPoint presentations
17   5. PowerPoint presentations
18 Feedback on Assessment  

Please note: the above schedule is a guide only and if necessary may be varied by staff. Students, even when absent, are responsible for identifying and following up any changes made by staff.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed Text/Reference
Communication for business, Access series, McGraw Hill


References


Other Resources

Essential resources
Access to an internet connected computer outside of class times – Internet connected computers are available in the faculty of Business labs on level 3 of building 108, 259 Bourke Street Melbourne.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment methods measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. These tasks will be done both during class and for homework. They may incorporate a group demonstration, document folio of simple documents and a group report on a company or organisation.

You will receive ongoing feedback on your progress in the course. Feedback on assessment will be given in a timely manner. You will be informed about how to improve your performance in the competency/course and what you need to do to be deemed competent or to gain a pass in the assessment.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment 1: Document Folio 20%
You will present a folio of simple documents: job application covering letter and Resumes, business emails and letters. Your mark will be based on appropriate presentation, including layout, spacing, wording, grammar and spelling for each document.

Assessment 2: Business Document Test 20%

Assessment 3: Group Meeting Demonstration 10%
As a group you will demonstrate a variety of listening skills, the ability to identify, clarify and confirm requirements, brainstorm, make decisions allocate and follow up tasks within your group.

Assessment 4: Group Report 40%
As a group you will present a report on a financial industry organisation of your choice. This report will demonstrate skills in researching appropriate sources of information, organising, interpreting and analysing data, presenting it in an appropriate format and acknowledging your sources.

Assessment 5: PowerPoint presentation 10%
As an individual you will give a verbal presentation focussing or elaborating on a chosen aspect of your group’s report. Half the marks are allocated for you reformatting information from the report to appropriately present PowerPoint slides.


Assessment Matrix

 


1
Documents
folio

2
Documents
test

3
Team
meeting
4
Written
report
5
PowerPoint
presentation
FNSICGEN301A/01
Use a range of techniques to gain workplace information

 

 

Y

Y Y
FNSICGEN301A/02
Communicate information to others using a range of techniques
Y Y   Y Y
FNSICGEN301A/03
Interact with others to achieve workplace outcomes
    Y Y  
FNSICGEN301A/04
Record workplace information as required.
Y Y   Y  

Other Information


Grading
A pass in each assessment will result in a grade for the student. Where a pass is achieved competency for that assessment is given. Where there are multiple assessments for a single competency the students must achieve competency (a pass) in each assessment to be deemed competent. Competency MUST be achieved in all assessments of the course for a graded result to be obtained.

Homework
The student will be required to undertake reinforcement, research and assessment practice outside of regular class times. Homework exercises are provided to the student to facilitate their learning in a self-paced manner and form part of the overall achievement of the competencies in this course. Students are reminded that they are expected to conduct an equal amount of time outside of class, research and furthering their understanding of the concepts being taught, as they do in class to be deemed competent in this course.


Course Overview: Access Course Overview