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

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: EMPL5975C

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

School: 360T Education

Campus: Brunswick 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

Linda Finger

9925 9494

linda.finger@rmit.edu.au

Soosan Kian soosan.kian@rmit.edu.au 9925 9183

 

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

This unit is part of Certificate IV in Education Support program. You will study this unit with several other units on the same day. Your program consists of face to face teaching, Directed Study and you are expected to participate in professional placement. It is highly recommended that students attend at least 85% of class time as crucial learning activities, assessment task preparation some assessment tasks are completed in class. You are not required to attend 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. Directed Study is a very important part of your program. An outline of your Directed Study will be given by your teacher and is published in the Weekly Program Delivery Plan.
The student learning experience will be facilitated through participation in a range of activities: 

Group, class discussions and oral presentations 

Guest speakers

Oral and/or written questions on "What if?" scenarios

Realistic simulations and role play
Oral Presentations
Using computers to communicate
Individual and group projects - Completing the projects will include negotiated independent study time and practical work relevant to the unit of competency. 

Professional placement communication
 


Teaching Schedule

Program Dates: Mon 10 Feb – 20 June.
Term Breaks: 21 April – 27 April.
Public holidays: 10 March, 18 April, 9 June
This unit will be delivered weekly. The times will be outlined in the program delivery plans which are updated each week.
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. Should the teaching schedule change students will be advised via blackboard.
Library Orientation & an RMIT Online Systems Information Session will be scheduled during the first two weeks of your program. Information about student services, rights and responsibilities is contained in your student diary.
 

Week 1-4

RMIT login
Emails
Facebook

How to improve writing skills - Letters/emails

Week 2

RMIT login
Emails
Facebook

How to improve writing skills - Letters/emails
Week 3

RMIT login
Emails
Facebook

How to improve writing skills - Letters/emails
Week 4

RMIT login
Emails
Facebook

How to improve writing skills - Letters/emails

Assignment Task 1
Written letter email or other form of communication

Week 5 - 8

Reflective writing
Comprehension
Giving and following instructions
How to examine a written question
Formal class meeting

Week 6

Reflective writing
Comprehension
Giving and following instructions
How to examine a written question
Formal class meeting

Week 7

Reflective writing
Comprehension
Giving and following instructions
How to examine a written question
Formal class meeting

Week 8

Reflective writing
Comprehension
Giving and following instructions
How to examine a written question
Formal class meeting


 

Assessment task 2 - class work by participating in the above and some writing possibly reflective writing


Week 9 - 12



Paragraph writing or other writing skills 

Week 10

Paragraph writing or other writing skills

 

mid semester progress interviews

 Week 11

Paragraph writing or other writing skills

Week 12

Paragraph writing or other writing skills

Week 13 - 16

How to facilitate discussion
Group discussion rules
Listening skills
Group work rules
PowerPoint skills

Week 14

How to facilitate discussion
Group discussion rules
Listening skills
Group work rules
PowerPoint skills

Week 15

How to facilitate discussion
Group discussion rules
Listening skills
Group work rules
PowerPoint skills
 

Week 16

How to facilitate discussion
Group discussion rules
Listening skills
Group work rules
PowerPoint skills
 

 

Week 17 - 18

oral presentation skills and practice

Week 18

Assessment task 3- oral presentation and PPT

Assessment task 4: Review folio of final assessments
Evidence of practical experience fostering and supporting an effective learning environment; e.g. Observation/Demonstration, Third party
Folio – Presentation (oral and written)


 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT

There are no set texts in this course. 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 Brunswick Library very cheaply)
• 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

Assignment Task 1
Written letter email or other form of communication


Assessment task 2 - class work by participating in the above and some writing possibly reflective writing

 

Assessment task 3- oral presentation and PPT

Assessment task 4: Review folio of final assessments
Evidence of practical experience fostering and supporting an effective learning environment; e.g. Observation/Demonstration, Third party
Folio – Presentation (oral and written)

 


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. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are assessed using the following competency based results:

CA – Competency achieved
NYC – Not Yet Competent
Please note:
Assessments tasks may include other Units of competency from the program.

All Assessment tasks should be submitted by the deadline. If an extension is required you must ask your teacher for one before the due date.
 


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