Course Title: Investigate issues in the Australian environment

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: GEDU6179

Course Title: Investigate issues in the Australian environment

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3403 - Certificate III in EAL (Further Study)

Course Contact: Melanie Reynolds

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4095

Course Contact Email: melanie.reynolds@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Jane Saunders jane.saunders@rmit.edu.au 

 

 

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 skills and knowledge required by learners of English as an additional language to research and present information in an oral presentation and a written report in the context of identifying and investigating issues in the  Australian environment.




National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU22615 Investigate issues in the Australian environment

Element:

1. Investigate an environmental issue of significance in Australia

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify an environmental issue of significance in Australia
1.2 Scan and interpret informational texts and note the main aspects of the environmental issue
1.3 Analyse the potential impact of the environmental issue

Element:

2. Present your research findings to a group

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Outline the environmental issue and its potential impact on the community
2.2 Describe possible solutions
2.3 Use simple cohesive devices to give explanation and express opinion
2.4 Use strategies to deliver talk clearly demonstrating awareness of audience

Element:

3. Write a report on your research

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Plan to write a report on the environmental issue and possible solutions
3.2 Select and order information, using appropriate layout
3.3 Use appropriate terminology and language
3.4 Proofread and correct final draft, with guidance


Learning Outcomes


The outcomes described in this unit relate to:

The ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings) descriptors for Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. They contribute directly to the achievement of Speaking 2+, Listening 2+, Reading 2+/3, Writing 2+/3 and also contribute to the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) indicators of competence in Oral Communication, Reading and Writing at Level 3.


Details of Learning Activities

This unit is part of the Certificate III in EAL (Further Study) which is an integrated program. This means that this unit is studied with LANG5866 (VU22640) - Give straightforward oral presentations for study purposes and it is part of Cluster 2. The program consists of Face to Face teaching and Directed Study. The cluster will have a minimum of four hours directed study per week (two hours of Directed Study Required and two hours of Directed Study Recommended). You need to complete the Directed Study Required in your own time and this will be followed up in the next class. The Directed Study Recommended is there to further develop your skills in particular areas and although this is not compulsory, we recommended that you complete it as well. Attendance is not required during directed study time. An outline of the weekly delivery and Directed Study is published each week on canvas.


Teaching Schedule

Course Schedule:                                                        Semester 1: 2021

Week 

Topic

Key Activities

Elements

Week 1 

Introduction to course

Teacher to introduce course, topics, assessment tasks and navigating the course via Canvas.

Class introductions

VU22640

1,2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2,3

Week 2 

Presentation Skills

Use template to practice giving oral presentations. What makes a good presentation? Watch various videos, take notes.

VU22640

3,4,5

VU22615

1

Week 3

Presentation Skills

Students to be introduced to the Australian environment and the issues concerning Australia. Class to watch a short video on various issues concerning the Australian environment. Practice to learn the skills to present an environmental topic. Teacher to hand out topics for students to practice giving information. Example of an ideal oral presentation to be given by the teacher.

In pairs students to create a short oral presentation to present to the group.

 

VU22640

3,4,5

VU22615

1,2

Week 4 

Australian Environmental Issues

Research an Australian environmental issue, note take and paraphrase the information. Use online plagiarism sites to note authenticity.

Watch ABC documentary "War on Waste" with the students to discuss, take notes and paraphrase.

Students to work in pairs to deliver an oral presentation on the documentary.

 

VU22640

3,4

VU22615

1,2,3

Week 5

Australian Environmental Issues

Watch environmental videos with the students to discuss, take notes and paraphrase.

Students to work in pairs to deliver an oral presentation on the documentary.

 

VU22640

1,2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2,3

Week 6 

Australian Environmental Issues

Watch environmental videos with the students to discuss, take notes and paraphrase.

Students to work in pairs to deliver an oral presentation on the documentary.

 

VU22640

1,2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2,3

Week 7 

Australian Environmental Issues

Watch environmental videos with the students to discuss, take notes and paraphrase.

Students to work in pairs to deliver an oral presentation on the documentary.

 

VU22640

1,2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2,3

Week 8

Group Collaborations

Introduce Group Collaborations in preparation for Assessment Task 1.

  • How to work together in a group.
  • What is group collaboration?
  • What are the roles of each member?
  • How do personalities affect group work?

Students to identify roles, define the roles and assign the roles. Groups to then discuss in class, the effectiveness of their collaboration. 

Complete a Myer-Briggs personality quiz. 

 

VU22640

1,2,

VU22615

1,2,

Week 9 

Presentation and Group work

 

Practice oral presentation within the group. Students to choose a topic on an Australian environment issue, to research and present in class. Each student to research and present different parts, using the stages of presenting, body language, sign posting, introducing members of the group and concluding with questions from the audience. 

VU22640

2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2

Week 10 

Presentation and Group work

 

Group work practice. Students to watch videos, read articles on an Australian environmental issue to take notes, confer with one another and paraphrase. Compare notes to discuss. Think of possible solutions to the issues. 

Students to continue researching and note taking. Time in class will involve the Harvard reference style for websites and images. Note, speech, pronunciation, use of body language, visual aides, sign posting, eye contact and taking questions.

Students to be given time to work together in their groups. All groups to meet with the teacher to discuss progress and/or issues.   

VU22640

2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2

Week 11

Prepare for Assessment Task 1

Students to work on Assessment Task 1, ensuring they have collaborated with the teacher and each other on the topic and roles each member of the group will take. Using information online, in newspapers, on the RMIT database, students will take notes and paraphrase the information gathered. 

By this stage all groups will have worked out the order of presentations and material with appropriate references included in the report. The use and type of visual aides to be checked by the teacher. 

 VU22640

 1,2,3

VU22615

1,2

Week 12

Draft Group Oral Presentations

Students to present.  Feedback on practice oral presentations to be given. Students to adjust and improve presentations.

VU22640

1,2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2

Week 13 

Submit Final Group Presentations for Assessment Task 1

All groups to begin group presentations. 

 

VU22640

1,3,

VU22615

3

Week 14

Review and begin written report 

Presentations to continue if not completed. All other groups to be given feedback and reviews on performance. Upload the report onto Canvas. Evaluation and reflection to be completed by all students in their groups and of each other. 

Write the information from the group presentation to use in the written report. Review Harvard reference style for websites and images.

Students to work on their written draft report.  Submit draft report for feedback. 

VU22640

1,2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2,3

Week 15

Continue writing report

One-on-one feedback and review by teacher on the written part of Assessment Task 1.

 

VU22640

1,2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2,3

Week 16

Final written report is due for Assessment Task 1

Students to submit final written report for Assessment Task 1.

 

VU22640

1,2,3,4,5

VU22615

1,2,3

Week 17

Assessment re submissions; finalise assessments

Finalise assessments assessment and results; assessment re-sits; and end of semester exit interviews.

 

 

Course Dates:  

Semester 1: Monday 8th February– Friday 11 June

Mid semester break (Easter): Thursday 1 April - Wednesday 7 April  2021

Public Holidays: Monday 8 March (Labour Day) Monday 26 April (ANZAC DAY) 2021

These dates may be subject to change. Students will be advised via CANVAS and in class should changes occur.


The course will be delivered weekly. The times will be outlined in the weekly delivery plans which are updated each week.

Your program is made up of:

  • Learning activities
  • Guest speakers (if possible)
  • Exit review

All students will be inducted. The induction includes:

  • Induction Booklet and presentation
  • Explore RMIT website activity
  • Orientation to RMIT Libraries (online)

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT

There are no set texts in this course, but it is recommended that you bring:

  • English-English dictionary (we ask that you do not use a translation dictionary)
  • Thesaurus
  • Display folder with plastic sleeves
  • Highlighter pens
  • Notebook or loose leaf paper
  • Headphones with microphone (use your own or they can be purchased from the Carlton Library very cheaply)
  • USB (Memory stick)
  • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) - Laptop (if you have one) 
  • MS Office 365 can be downloaded by students (link is provided in main EAL III CANVAS program shell)

The teacher will provide handouts and resources during class time. You can locate these resources on Canvas.


Overview of Assessment

This course is delivered as part of a full time intergrated program.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 research projects, reports, oral presentation, observation, portfolio of evidence and verbal and written questioning.

Individual research project on an Australian environmental issue.

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 manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

The Student Charter www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-education/supporting-learning-and-teaching/student-charter/ summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT University student as well as the responsibilities of the university.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which can be found on the RMIT University website at: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1


Assessment Tasks

Assessment will take place throughout the course. Your work is assessed on a Competent (C) / Not Yet Competent (NYC) basis – it is not graded. Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. There will be individual and group projects completed both in and out of class.


Assessment is ongoing and its purpose is to develop your research, note taking and writing skills. Assistance will be given in redrafting and editing written assessment tasks because developing your ability to identify and correct your own mistakes is an important part of the learning process. It is important that you read the specific elements each assessment task addresses on the cover sheet for each task. At the time of setting assessments you will be given clear guidelines about which course, elements and performance criteria you will need to meet in order to successfully complete the task. Submission dates & deadlines will also be clearly explained.

 

This program consists of one task:

 

PRODUCT ASSESSMENT TASK 1: Group Research Project (Week 13-16)

This task will involve preparing and producing a a group oral presentation on a researched topic on an Australian Environmental issue. In addition, this task requires a written report on the research gathered. Each student will need to prepare information that varies to others within the group. The report will be written and submitted individually.

 

Assessment Appeals, Reasonable Adjustment and Extensions 

Students can appeal assessment decisions using these forms:  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/appeals   

Students may be able to access reasonable adjustment such as an extension of time or a smaller group if appropriate. Students should contact the assessor at least one week prior to the assessment if they wish to be considered for reasonable adjustment.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment  

www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension 


Assessment Matrix

Each assessment cover sheet clearly outlines the competencies being addressed in the task in relation to performance criteria. The sum of assessment tasks will cover all units and their elements over a range of occasions. You will be given opportunities to demonstrate competency in a variety of ways throughout the program. To successfully complete this course you will need to demonstrate that you are competent in each element in both assessment tasks.


You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or student coordinator. An assessment matrix will be available on myRMIT and Canvas.

Other Information

Attendance 

This course will be delivered using a blended approach; face to face classes and online, synchronous classes. 
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to successfully complete this course. 

 

Student Progress 

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. 

Student program policy www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academicprogress 
  

You may be asked to attend mid-semester and end of semester interviews with relevant teachers and the Program Coordinator. These interviews are an important part of giving you feedback and supporting you through your program by monitoring your academic progress. 
  

Special consideration policy (Late submissions) 
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. Extension www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension 

Special consideration is an assessment adjustment for unexpected circumstances that are outside your control, which: 

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism 
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy 
www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity 

 

Recognition of Prior Learning​/RCC/Credit Transfer

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) and/or Credit Transfer may be available depending on your previous work and life experiences, formal, informal or non formal learning, completed accredited qualification/s ​or completed units. Please discuss this with the Program Coordinator.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

 

 

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview