Course Title: Use high-level communication skills in the education workplace

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: EMPL5974C

Course Title: Use high-level communication skills in the education workplace

School: 360T Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4326 - Certificate IV in Education Support

Course Contact : Robyn Blaikie

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4838

Course Contact Email:robyn.blaikie@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Fiona Dean
fions.dean@rmit.edu.au
9925 4650

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

No specific pre-requisite and co-requisite.

Course Description

This course deals with the skills and knowledge required to for education support workers to communicate effectively with education professionals, colleagues, students, parents and community representatives.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCEDS411B Use high-level communication skills in the education workplace

Element:

1. Use clear oral and written communication

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Ensure instructions are clear and concise for the intended audience and task
1.2 Adjust communication methods and style to cater for individual and cultural difference
1.3 Seek and provide clarification of communications when necessary
1.4 Interpret complex information to make it meaningful to others

Element:

2. Contribute to the development of effective communication within the education organisation

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Consider special communication needs in developing strategies to avoid discrimination
2.2 Evaluate and revise communication skills to ensure they are effective
2.3 Use a variety of communication channels to inform staff, students, parents and external audiences of relevant information under direction of teacher
2.4 Promote the use of effective listening skills in within the education community
 

Element:

3. Represent the education organisation to an audience as directed by teacher

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Select, prepare and present information to promote the education organisation in an accurate way
3.2 Deliver presentations in a clear and sequential manner, within time constraints
3.3 Use electronic and other media to enhance presentations
3.4 Invite participation from the audience to enhance the presentation where appropriate
3.5 Express ideas clearly and concisely, with language adjusted to meet audience needs
3.6 Match body language and verbal messages
3.7 Respect and consider differences of opinion in a manner that encourages and values the contributions of others

Element:

4. Facilitate formal and informal discussions and meetings as directed by teacher

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Adhere to agreed venue and times when conducting formal discussions
4.2 Set and follow agendas/objectives for meetings and discussions
4.3 Provide relevant information in advance to participants to facilitate meeting outcomes
4.4 Identify and acknowledge contributions from all participants
4.5 Use effective questioning, speaking, listening and non-verbal communication techniques
4.6 Identify and cater for specific communication needs of participants
 

Element:

5. Produce quality written material

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Present written documents in a logical and sequential way that matches the audience and purpose
5.2 Write documents in a clear and succinct manner
5.3 Write materials to conform to the education organisation standards
5.4 Construct documents using current organisation templates, guidelines and terminology
5.5 Present alternative views, approaches, and options for consideration by the reader
5.6 Formulate conclusions based on facts contained within documents
5.7 Align recommendations with presented information
5.8 Acknowledge references using the recognised reference standard of the education organisation
 


Learning Outcomes


This course is applicable to education workers in contexts where high level communication is required for a broad range of duties in a variety of education environments.  Thiscourse applies to work undertaken with appropriate guidance, support and supervision by a nominated teacher or other education professional.  On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.
 


Details of Learning Activities

The student learning experience will be facilitated through participation in a range of activities:
Group discussion
Research assignments
Guest speakers
Oral and/or written questions on "What if?" scenarios
Individual and group projects - Completion of Projects will include negotiated independent study time and practical work relevant to the unit of competency.
Realistic simulations and role play
Practical demonstrations and direct observation of actual work and simulated work practice
Oral Presentations
Your program consists of a combination of learning activities through a range of delivery methods including: face to face teaching, online activities and Directed Study and you are expected to participate in professional placement. You work independently to complete Directed Study, however you are expected to complete all work given and will at times be required to show evidence that the work has been completed in this unit.


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.

Semester 1
Week 1
Identifying relevant legislative, policy and standards regulating working with children and
young people, relevant to specific job roles
E1,
Week 2
Occupational health and safety (WHS) in relation to working with children and young people
E1, E2, E3

Week 3
Behaviour support in relation to working with children and young people
E2, E3

Week 4
Anti-discrimination regulating work with children and young people
Assessment Task 1: Evidence Guide
E1, E2, E3

Week 5
Reporting processes, collecting data to inform education support role, relevant written
documentation
E5

Week 6
Effective oral and written techniques in the workplace
E2, E3, E4, E5

Week 7
Using clear oral and written communication; e.g consider audience and purpose
E1, E2

Week 8
Using a variety of communication channels to inform specific audience
E2, E3, E4


Week 9
Adjusting methods and style to cater to specific audience
E1, E2
Assessment Task 2: Project 1 – Q&A/Oral presentation

Week 10
Interpreting complex information to make it meaningful to others
E1,

Week 11
Contributing to the development of effective communication within a specific organisation; e.g. education, community organisation
E2

Week 12
Considering special communication needs in developing strategies to avoid discrimination
E2

Week 13
Identifying organisation requirements for correspondence and published materials; using relevant referencing standards
E5

Week 14
Working with a group for presentations
E3

Week 15
Effective questioning
E4

Week 16
Seeking feedback
E2

Week 17-18
Reflection of own experiences using high-level communication skills in the education workplace

Assessment interview – review folio of final assessments e.g : Evidence Guide, Project 1, Evidence of practical experience using high-level communication skills in the education/community workplace, e.g Observation/Demonstration, Third party, Oral Presentation (oral and/or written)

Semester 2

Week 1
Contributing to the development of effective communication within a specific organisation
E2,

Week 2
Considering special communication needs in developing strategies to avoid discrimination

Week 3
Evaluating and revising communication skills to ensure they are effective
E1, E5


Week 4
Promoting the use of effective listening skills within the education/community workplace
E2

Week 5
Body language and verbal messages
E3

Week 6
Planning and preparing for presentation
E4

Week 7
Selecting, preparing and presenting information to promote the relevant organisation in an
accurate way
E5

Week 8
Using electronic and other media to enhance presentations
E3

Week 9
Using electronic and other media to enhance presentations
E3

Week 10
Representing an educational/community organisation to an audience as directed by relevant
staff/supervisor
E3
Assessment Task 3: Project 2 – Oral presentation/Q&A

Week 11
Facilitating formal and informal discussions and meetings as directed by relevant
staff/supervisor
E4

Week 12
Verbal and non-verbal communication; matching body language and verbal messages
E2

Week 13
Cultural awareness and respecting and considering differences of opinion
E2, E5

Week 14
Producing relevant written material for specific audience
E5
 

Week 15
Setting and following agendas/objectives for meetings and discussions
Writing skills for work
E4, E5

Week 16
Referencing for writing and presentations for organisation
E5
Assessment Task 4: Project 3 – Oral and Written report

Week 17-18
Reflection of own experiences using high-level communication skills in the education workplace
Discussion, Q&A activities
Assessment interview – review folio of final assessments e.g :
Evidence Guide, Project 1 ,2,3, Evidence of practical experience using high-level communication skills in the education/community workplace, e.g Observation/Demonstration, Third party
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT
There are no set texts in this unit. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through handouts, our online systems and access to facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources. It is recommended that you bring:
• Display folder with plastic sleeves
• Highlighter pens
• Notebook or loose leaf paper
• Headphones (use your own or they can be purchased from the City/Brunswick Library)
• USB (Memory stick)


Overview of Assessment

You must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of the competencies in order to be deemed competent.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
• Direct observation of actual and simulated work practice
• Oral or written questioning
• Assignments and projects
• Presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files
• Work-based activities
• Third-party feedback from a work supervisor/employer
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.
An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your courses assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc
 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.

Assessment Task 1: Evidence Guide
Assessment Task 2: Project 1 – Q&A/Oral presentation
Assessment Task 3: Project 2 – Oral presentation/Q&A – Cultural presentation
Assessment Task 4: Project 3 – Oral and Written report – Experiences working with children and young adults

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are assessed using the following competency based results:
CA – Competency achieved
NYC – Not Yet Competent
 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency.
These are available from the course contact person (stated above).

Other Information

You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
 

Attendance - The major learning experience involves participating in face to face classes. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency. www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academicprogress
 

Feedback - Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Students will be asked to attend mid semester interviews with relevant teachers and Program Coordinator.
 

Special Consideration - All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Please see the RMIT website for further information. www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagarism and and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity

Course Overview: Access Course Overview