Course Title: Manage personal work priorities and professional development

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: EMPL5626C

Course Title: Manage personal work priorities and professional development

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5221 - Diploma of Business Administration

Course Contact : Hazel Sims

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1316

Course Contact Email:hazel.sims@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Practical Placement Coordinator:

Miranda Bryant
miranda.bryant@rmit.edu.au

+61 3 9925 5470

Nominal Hours: 60

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

There are no formal pre-requisites or co-requisites for this course.

Course Description

This course focuses on the skills and knowledge required to manage one’s own work performance and professional development.  Particular emphasis is on setting and meeting priorities, analysing information and using a range of strategies to develop further competence.

If you are undertaking this course in Melbourne from semester 2, 2012 onwards your teacher will advise you if you require access to a computer for the course. It is recommended that you have access to a mobile computing device to allow greater flexibility in terms of where you can work on campus outside class times.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	BSBWOR501A Manage personal work priorities and professional development
Element:	1. Establish personal work goals
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Personal work planning and organisation serve as a positive role model in the workplace. 1.2 Personal work goals, plans and activities reflect the organisation's plans, and own responsibilities and accountabilities. 1.3 Individual initiative is taken to achieve and extend personal work goals beyond those planned. 1.4 Personal performance is measured and maintained in varying work conditions, work contexts and contingencies.
Element:	2. Set and meet own work priorities
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Initiative is taken to prioritise and facilitate competing demands to achieve personal, team and the organisation's goals and objectives. 2.2 Technology is used efficiently and effectively to manage work priorities and commitments.
Element:	3. Develop and maintain professional competence
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Personal knowledge and skills are assessed against competency standards to determine development needs, priorities and plans. 3.2 Feedback from employees, clients and colleagues is sought and used to identify and develop ways to improve competence. 3.3 Development opportunities suitable to personal learning styles(s) are identified, evaluated, selected and used to develop competence. 3.4 Participation in networks is undertaken to enhance personal knowledge, skills and work relationships. 3.5 New skills are identified and developed to achieve and maintain a competitive edge.

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will involve classroom discussions, online discussions based on textbook theory and experience, Internet research, and reflective learning practice.  Importantly, the two week practical placement is the central work based learning experience. Scheduled meetings with the teacher will take place.

It is important that the student finds a placement within the first five weeks of semester.  The strategy for success is explained in class.

Teaching Schedule

Week	Week commencing	Topic	Assessments
1	11 February 2013	Course Induction Course delivery and assessment details for full time/flexible delivery Course support documents Online learning environment - Blackboard Grading Plagiarism/use of Turnitin Appeals/Extensions Main Topic: Explore what is time and why time is important. Practical Placement discussion. Brainstorm places to work.	Assessment Overview Work Logbook Practical Placement Journal
2	18 February 2013	Chapter 6: Strengthening your personal skills Academic writing: How to write a reflective journal, why is it different to an essay or report?	Activity: Work Logbook Activity: write your CV and have it lodged with RMIT Application Express. See myRMIT students web pages for Careers link. Upload a list of 20 possible practical placement organisations using the template provided to you in Week 1 to the Assessment Drop Box for your teacher to review.
3	25 February 2013	Chapter 7: Establishing effective working relationships
4	4 March 2013	Chapter 7: Establishing effective working relationships	Placement update - outline organisations you have contacted and confirm arrangements with your teacher.
5	11 March 2013	Chapter 8: Managing priorities Set and meet own work priorities
6	18 March 2013
7	25 March 2013	MID SEMESTER BREAK - (includes April Easter Monday Public Holiday, 2 April Easter Tuesday RMIT holiday, 4 April classes resume)
7	28 March - 3 April 2013	Chapter 8: Managing priorities
8	8 April 2013	Practical Placement	Signed Placement Agreement forms must be submitted to your coordinator before you commence your two week placement.
9	15 April 2013	Practical Placement
10	22 April 2013	Post placement reflection and class discussion Work on drafting finalised reflective daily journal entries from the two week placement Chapter 11: Unlocking peak performance, the five keys	Design a suitable practical placement reflective journal document template for word processing your entries - check your design with your teacher in class.
11	29 April 2013	Chapter 9: Understanding leadership What makes an effective leader great, are they same as managers?
12	6 May 2013	Chapter 9: Understanding leadership Activity: Work on logbook task
13	13 May 2013	Chapter 26: Encouraging a learning environment and developing employees Relevant legislation: pages 1058, 877-81, 1010-20, 1063, 1058-9
14	20 May 2013	Work on collating all final work logbook tasks in a professional and organised manner	TASK 1 Work Logbook Due
15	27 May 2013	Develop and maintain professional competence Work on finalising your polished reflective journal ready for submission	TASK 2 Practical Placement Reflective Journal Due
16	3 June 2013	Develop and maintain professional competence Looking for a job? Where and how to start the process ...	Assessment Review and Feedback

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Kris Cole, Management Theory and Practice, Fourth Ed, Prentice Hall, NSW

References

Other Resources

myDesktop - is the technology students studying a College of Business course will use to access their learning and teaching software applications, the Internet and printers. myDesktop can be accessed by mobile computing devices such as laptops, tablets and smart phones anywhere on campus, via the RMIT wireless network.

RMIT’s student portal, myRMIT, is available to all current students (click here (unresolved) for more information).

Logging in with your username and password, will provide direct access to:

• enrolment
• email account
• results
• important announcements
• Learning Hub resources
• timetable
• course guides
• library account
• FAQs
• news
• classifieds
• maps
• forums
• gallery

Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including in-class exercises, problem-solving exercises, assignments, group or individual projects, work log book, work journal and practical placement.  Activities may include the production of technical requirements such as documents, direct observation of workplace practices and the presentation of a portfolio of evidence. This portfolio may include documents, photographs, video and/or audio files.

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.

Assessment Tasks

There are two tasks you must successfully complete to be deemed competent in this unit.  You must find a suitable practical placement organisation (in consultation with your teacher) and attend the full two weeks in order to complete all assessment tasks.

During Week 1 of the Semester carefully consider the tools (both electronic and hard copy) you have available to you for the 16 week course to assist you in managing your time, priorities and documents to ensure a successful learning experience.

TASK 1Work Logbook

This assessment is due in Week 14.  You will download the marking guide for the Work Logbook from myRMIT.  Based on the weekly activities described in the logbook you should answer the questions related to class discussions and textbook theory and handouts during the semester. 

You will maintain your own collection of work completed over the semester in an organised and secure and professional manner. Ask the teacher for feedback to ensure your success throughout the semester in class. Your logbook will be collated (together with your supervisor’s employability skills observation form) and this should be submitted electronically to the Assessment Drop Box in Blackboard accessed through myRMIT or to the teacher by hand, by Friday of Week 14.

Please note:

• The work logbook and practical placement journal will be assessed according to the grade CA/NYC/DNS

TASK 2 Practical Placement Journal

This assessment is due in Week 15 and is based on the two week work placement experience in an administrative role. It is expected that you will be able to work on your reflective journal in class from Week 11, you should establish a professional template design to follow for each of your daily entries.  As a recommendation take a small note pad and pen and or small portable device to make quick records of your daily activities, discoveries and observations each day for better recall when you return to class.

You should use an academic reflective journal writing style which demonstrates how you managed your own personal work priorities using time management skills and techniques in order to meet your own goals and objectives as well as those of your practical placement organisation. See marking guide in myRMIT.

Submission Requirements

Assessment tasks need to be submitted via electronic  copy with hard copy in class, where required.

You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. If your performance in the assessment is affected by unexpected circumstances, you should consider applying for Special Consideration. Information on the process and application forms is available at myRMIT and Student Diary.
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of work for assessment is available on blackboard.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers.


Marking Guide (competency):

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are informed by practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as ‘competency based training’ (CBT). So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based education settings that are often based on knowledge retention.

You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.

Please refer to the Final Grades table below.

Marking Guide (Grading)

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the level of your performance formally recognised against industry standards and employability skills.


The grading is according to the following criteria:

1. Level of independence, initiative, enterprise and performance of the work task – you will need to find a practical placement and administer the appropriate forms, ensuring privacy for all parties to the documents. You will have your CV/Resume checked by Application Express at RMIT in good time to secure your placement. Your class attendance will ensure success, seeking feedback on your progress from the teacher. You will follow administration requirements and tasks, processes and resources planned to ensure efficient management of self, resources and placement. You will be aware of legislative requirements and apply them where appropriate. You will complete in full all work required in the two tasks listed in the course guide.

2. Demonstrated breadth of underpinning knowledge and a willingness to continue learning – you will identify your career projection and leadership development. You will show how you planned and managed goals and the use of time, both personally and professionally. You will meet deadlines regarding the practical placement. You will plan and identify your learning needs and monitor and evaluate your training requirements.

3. Techniques and processes, technology skills and problem solving – you will use complex functions of various computer software to record your time management, design and develop templates, charts, standard documents and user manuals. You will use electronic communication and produce written correspondence and reports using technology to manage organisational information. You will use problem solving techniques learned in the semester as it relates to self management and make contingency plans.

4. Work organisation, planning and self management – You will compose specific written plans, set goals, prioritise goals and schedule strategies and delegate tasks in order to get the task done in a timely manner. You will be able to narrow your focus and set time aside for reflection and is realistic. You will show evidence of to-do-lists, of beginning the task before its due date and are flexible, showing how you avoided time traps. You will delegate duties and responsibilities where needed, use teamwork principles at your placement. You will follow organisational standards and meet legislative and regulatory requirements.

5. Communication, people networking, language and interpersonal skills and teamwork – You will communicate in a business manner, when managing organisational systems and processes ensuring usability and compliance. Your documents will be complete, formatted, free of spelling and grammar errors, topics will be suitably addressed and content will be professionally presented. You will use effective interpersonal skills and relating to a wide range of internal and external clients. You will relate well to a wide range of audiences in interpersonal exchanges requiring excellent negotiation and writing skills. You will be able to evaluate your own job performance and connect the experience to your learning goals. You will understand the roles of coaching and mentoring and understand basic management styles (authoritarian, democratic, laissez faire). You will be able to show your steps to achievement, reflect on your goals and choose the direction and course you plan to take, identifying how you will achieve your plan.

GRADING TABLE:


CHD     Competent with High Distinction
CDI       Competent with Distinction
CC        Competent with Credit
CAG      Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC      Not Yet Competent
DNS      Did Not Submit for assessment


Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

 

Assessment Matrix

 

BSBWOR501A Manage personal work priorities and professional development	Assessment
Required Knowledge:
Relevant legislation from all levels of government that affects business operation, especially in regard to occupational health and safety and environmental issues, equal opportunity, industrial relations and anti-discrimination. The principles and techniques involved in the management and organisation of: personal goal setting performance measurement time management personal behaviour, self-awareness and personality traits identification personal development plan   the organisation’s policies, plans and procedures the types of work methods and practices which can improve personal performance the types of learning style(s) and how they relate to the individual the management development opportunities and options for self	Task 1 and 2 including practical placement
Required Skills:
ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities functional literacy skills to interpret written and oral information about workplace requirements communication skills, including receiving and analysing feedback and reporting a range of skills to support work management and development researching information to develop personal and work plans eliciting, analysing and interpreting feedback analysing culturally different viewpoints and taking them into account in personal and work plans monitoring workplace trends related to work role and responsibilities using information systems to assist establish work plans assessing the effectiveness of own management development developing and maintaining professional networks	Task 1 and 2 Work Logbook Reflective Journal (including practical placement - with teacher observation visit on site/phone interview/teleconference)
Elements and Performance Criteria (see above for performance criteria)
1. Establish personal work goals (1.1-1.4) 2. Set and meet own work priorities (2.1-2.2) 3. Develop and maintain professional competence (3.1-3.5)	Task 1 and 2 Work Logbook Reflective Journal (including practical placement - with teacher observation visit on site/phone interview/teleconference)

Course Overview: Access Course Overview