Course Title: Plan and conduct group activities

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: EMPL5720C

Course Title: Plan and conduct group activities

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4313 - Certificate IV in Community Development

Course Contact : Julian Silverman

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4578

Course Contact Email:julian.silverman@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

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

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to participate in, establish and lead a range of informal and formal groups in a variety of settings.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCGROUP403D Plan and conduct group activities

Element:

Address resourcing issues for group activities

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Plan group activities, including consideration of:
- the purposes, defined according to the identified needs of the client group
- the human, financial and physical resources required
1.2 Where required resources are not immediately and readily available, make appropriate submissions to potential sources of assistance and resources
1.3 Ensure formal submissions meet requirements of funding guidelines and organisation principles and practice
 

Element:

Coordinate a group planning process

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Actively seek opportunities for collaborative planning and promotion of group activities with clients and solicit, analyse and prioritise information about group’s needs and expectations
2.2 Negotiate the purpose of group activities with the group in a manner that gives sufficient time and space for individuals to articulate their ideas and wishes and create opportunity for input to ownership of group processes
2.3 Translate purpose of proposed group activity into a set of aims and objectives
2.4 Analyse potential impact on group operation of the values and beliefs of both worker and client and clarify with those involved in planning and implementing group activities
2.5 Deal with contributions and suggestions to group planning processes so as to promote continued participation
2.6 Design group strategies that promote effective group operation and take into account specific characteristics of clients who will participate in the activity or program

Element:

Evaluate group activities

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Ensure aims and objectives of the group activity provide the basis for evaluation and feedback
4.2 Seek feedback from all group participants on leadership style, group process, achievement of objectives, other achievements and areas for development
4.3 Document evaluation data according to organisation procedures and distribute to relevant people

Element:

Manage group processes including responding to conflict

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Promote opportunities for open dialogue and active listening between group members
3.2 Encourage and model sensitivity to participants, regardless of their gender, culture, ethnicity, subculture, sexuality and ability
3.3 When conflict threatens or arises:
-implement strategies to prevent it within own role, power and capacity
-identify and reinforce the outcomes of positive conflict
-clarify and confirm relevant principles and practices of conflict resolution and seek agreement to implement them
-encourage acknowledgment of respective rights and responsibilities and perceptions of all participants within the conflict situation
3.4 Offer opportunity to all participants for debriefing, support, mediation, consultation and facilitation throughout conflict resolution processes


Learning Outcomes


   


Details of Learning Activities

You will attend an all-day workshop in which you will participate in activities including discussions and presentations related to engaging communities in the community development process as part of specific initiatives. Self-directed study activities to be completed outside of the workshop include coordinating a group planning process to manage group processes, identify group goals, manage conflict and to promote and monitor continued participation.


Teaching Schedule

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

Elective Unit 1 Class Content Learning Elements
Plan and conduct group activities This workshop will involve practical group work activities combined with presentations from staff to develop students’ skills in planning, implementing and evaluating group work activities. These group activities work may be of a cultural, recreational or project planning/implementing nature. 1. Address resourcing issues for group activities
2. Coordinate a group planning process
3. Manage group processes including responding to conflict
4. Evaluate group activities


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.


References


Other Resources

You will be issued a reading kit that includes links to relevant web resources upon commencement of this course. It will contain articles and instructional materials that relate to this workshop and it will be developed in consultation with industry experts in the community development sector.

Web links for this workshop:

Group work principles, theory and practice - infed
http://www.infed.org/groupwork/index.htm
Group work theory – Citizens Advice Scotland
http://www.caslearning.org.uk/eLearningContent/elearning_content/biteSized/Groupwork%20theory.pdf
Group work theory – South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault
http://www.secasa.com.au/pages/groupwork-theory/


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include:

- Community Development Case Study
- Evaluation Report
- Self and Supervisor Assessment


Assessment Tasks

In order to demonstrate competence in this course you will need to satisfactorily complete the following assessment tasks:

Community Development Case Study
The community development case study will demonstrate how you have worked within a group to plan your project, undertaken with a community group or organisation. It will describe how you plan and conduct group activities in your community and how you ensure that there are suitable facilities and resources available. Your case study will also describe how you are able to facilitate the group process, including preventing and managing conflict. In order to satisfy the requirements of this course your plan must demonstrate how you are able to effectively work with groups. Evidence of this will be a carefully documented plan of group work meetings, anticipating issues to be discussed, conflict management strategies, resourcing issues for group activities and a plan to evaluate group activities.

Evaluation Report
You will complete a report evaluating the effectiveness of your group work as part of your community development project. This will include examining your ability to plan, resource and conduct group activities and group processes, including managing and avoiding potential conflicts. You will describe the challenges and successes in supporting the group to meet their goals and objectives as part of the group work process.

Self and Supervisor Assessment
You and your supervisor will be asked to evaluate your ability to describe how you work with groups within your community. In particular you will be assessed on your ability to take responsibility for your personal skill development and reflect on your own practice. In particular you will focus on coordinating a group planning process and managing group processes including responding to conflict.


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview