Course Title: Write complex documents

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: OFFC5208C

Course Title: Write complex documents

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4223 - Certificate IV in Business Administration

Course Contact : Sylvia Baroutis

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5469

Course Contact Email:sylvia.baroutis@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Other course teachers

Vivien Wong vivien.wong@rmit.edu.au
Hazel Sims hazel.sims@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 course covers the skills and knowledge required to plan documents, draft text and prepare final text and produce documents of some complexity.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBWRT401A Write complex documents

Element:

1. Plan documents

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Determine the purposes of documents
1.2. Choose appropriate formats for documents
1.3. Establish means of communication
1.4. Determine requirements of documents
1.5. Determine categories and logical sequences of data, information and knowledge to achieve document objectives
1.6. Develop overview of structure and content of documents
 

Element:

2. Draft text

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Review and organise available data, information and knowledge according to proposed structure and content
2.2. Ensure data, information and knowledge is aggregated, interpreted and summarised to prepare text that satisfies document purposes and objectives
2.3. Include graphics as appropriate
2.4. Identify gaps in required data and information, and collect additional material from relevant enterprise personnel
2.5. Draft text according to document requirements and genre
2.6. Use language appropriate to the audience
 

Element:

4. Produce document

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Choose basic design elements for documents appropriate to audience and purpose
4.2. Use word processing software to apply basic design elements to text
4.3. Check documents to ensure all requirements are met
 

Element:

3. Prepare final text

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Review draft text to ensure document objectives are achieved and requirements are met
3.2. Check grammar, spelling and style for accuracy and punctuation
3.3. Ensure draft text is approved by relevant enterprise personnel
3.4. Process text amendments as required
 


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

This unit is clustered with BSBITU401A/COSC5945C Design and develop complex text documents and BSBSU301A/EASC5040C Implement and monitor sustainable work practices and separate Course Guides have been prepared for each unit.

Learning activities will include class-based exercises, demonstrations and observation in order to develop competency, including the underpinning skills and knowledge required for this unit. Students will have access to the  virtual business Reflective Records in the SBS (Simulated Business Space) to further develop their advanced word processing skills in a business context using a variety of learning materials and web-based resources.


Teaching Schedule

Week Week Beginning Content Assessment
BSBITU401A/COSC5945C Design and develop complex text documents
BSBWRT401A/OFFC5208C Write complex documents
1 10 Feb

Stage 1 - Business Writing

Tables, SmartArt in MS Word and PowerPoint 2010

Desktop Publishing in MS Publisher 2010
 

 

Assessment TASK 1 - Documents Folio
Progressive submission in the weeks indicated for teacher feedback and assessment.

2 17 Feb Portfolio
3 24 Feb Portfolio
4 3 Mar

Stage 2 - Letters

Templates and Mail Merge in MS Word 2010

Portfolio
5 10 Mar Portfolio
6 17 Mar Stage 3 - Emails and Memos

Complex Functions in MS Word 2010 for Report Formatting
Portfolio
7 24 Mar Portfolio
8 31 Mar Stage 4 - Reports

iSearch Library Guide
Portfolio
9 7 Apr Portfolio
10 14 Apr Assessment TASK 3 - Sustainability Report Draft (Due Week 10 in Blackboard as MS Word file only)
    MID SEMESTER BREAK 18-27 APRIL INCLUSIVE  
11 28 Apr Weekly Classes ONLINE. Attend Diploma of Business Administration eConference. This date is not yet confirmed. 
12 5 May Stage 5 - Technical Writing

Policies and Procedures
Portfolio
13 12 May Portfolio
14 19 May Portfolio
15 26 May Finalise Assessment TASK 3 - Sustainability Report Due (perfect finished version)
16 2 Jun Feedback and Review  
Note: Assessment TASK 2 - Sustainability Portfolio is assessed only for BSBSUS301A/EASC5040C Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices.  Refer to the Cluster: Sustainability and Writing Office Documents Assessment Outline document for detail work breakdown, activities and submission methods.

 

  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Dwyer, J. The Business Communication Handbook, 9th Edition, Pearson Education Australia, 2012. Contact publisher for eBook details if preferred and an companion website also comes with the textbook purchase.

9781442546738


References


Other Resources

Students are to download the Document Design for Business Learner Guide BSBITU401A Design and develop complex text documents as a reference for in-class workshops. Students are expected to use the prescribed text to develop correct touch-typing techniques and will be a central focus for the first 6 weeks of the semester. It is recommended that students commit to 30 minutes of touch-typing practice each day. 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical assessments, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work-based or course activities.

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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit (BSBITU401A/COSC5945C Design and develop complex text documents)
Evidence of the following is essential:
• production of documents
• editing draft text to ensure accuracy and clarity of information
• knowledge of enterprise style guide/house style (specifically you will refer to our simulated business Reflective Records and other relevant samples)


Assessment

There are three assessment tasks in cluster (refer Assessment Matrix) and relevant marking guides and assessment outline.

Assessment TASK 1 - Documents Folio (COSC5945C & OFFC5208C)
The learning activities and assessment tasks you will complete in this cluster will comprise of a range of tasks relevant to developing the required knowledge and skills to plan, write and produce documents for the office using complex technology functions utilising the MS Office Suite 2010. Students will submit tasks progressively to their teacher for feedback in class either to an In-Tray for all hard copy documents or the e-Tray on Blackboard (via myRMIT Studies) for electronic files.

Assessment TASK 2 - Sustainability Folio (EASC5208C)
Students will complete all tasks and submit for a CA grade for each activity to be deemed competent for this unit. Evidence for your portfolio will be produced on a regular basis and all tasks submitted on the due dates in order to achieve a CA grade. Feedback on activities and research for sustainability report is in class and ongoing.

Assessment TASK 3 - Sustainability Report (COSC5945C, OFFC5208C & EASC5208C)
You will write a draft report of how Reflective Records simulated business (in SBS - Simulated Business Space) can be sustainable. This assessment relates to your textbook and weekly portfolio work. The planning and drafting of your report will form a major part of your assessment for BSBWRT401A/OFFC5208C Write complex documents (due in Week 10) and the complex technology functions applied will be assessed against the criteria set for BSBITU401A/COSC5945C Design complex text documents on your perfect finished version of  the report due in Week 15. Please refer to the marking guide for further details on this research report.


Submission Requirements

Documents are to be produced in class as directed by the Assessment Outline to the In-Tray for all hard copy tasks and to the e-Tray on Blackboard (via myRMIT Studies) for all electronic files. This is to ensure students will have time to complete the Sustainability Report and focus on developing their typing technique.

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions (VET Programs):

If you are found to be Not Yet Competent in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is "CAG".

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:

More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

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 form is available myRMIT and links in 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.


Assessment Matrix

Assessments

Required knowledge Assessment
• enterprise style guide/house style
• formatting styles and their impact on formatting, readability and appearance of documents
• organisational requirements for ergonomics, work periods and breaks, and resource conservation techniques
• rules and conventions for written English, as defined by general and specialist dictionaries and books about grammar.

Assessment TASK 1 - Document Folio

Assessment TASK 3 - Sustainability Report

Required skills  
• communication skills to clarify requirements of documents
• literacy skills to edit and proofread documents; to create documents with a complex, organised structure of linked paragraphs which use simple and complex syntactic structure
• numeracy skills to collate and present data, graphs and annotated references
• problem-solving skills to use processes flexibly and interchangeably.

Assessment TASK 1 - Document Folio

Assessment TASK 3 - Sustainability Report
 

 

Element and performance criteria Assessment TASK 1 - Document Folio

 

Assessment TASK 3 - Sustainability Report

 

1. Prepare to produce word processed documents ALL ALL
2. Design complex documents ALL ALL
3. Add complex tables and other data ALL ALL
4. Produce documents ALL ALL

(Assessment TASK 2 - Sustainability Folio is only assessed for BSBUS301A/EASC5040C Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices)


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 pass that unit of competency.

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.

Final Grades Table:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded



 

 

 

 Grading for this unit will use the following criteria:

1. LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE, INITIATIVE, ENTERPRISE AND PERFORMANCE OF WORK TASK
Students must be able to write complex documents by evaluating tasks to improve efficiency and suggesting improvements to the structure and design. They must also be able to demonstrate a high level of ability to complete all tasks independently as per the specifications as well as demonstrating a high level of initiative in an individual approach to planning, drafting, preparing and producing/word processing business documents.

2. DEMONSTRATED BREADTH OF UNDERPINNING KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS AND A WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE LEARNING
Students should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all applicable business writing conventions, ergonomic skills when using computers/word processing to produce documents for all the assessment tasks, whilst following safe work practices throughout.

3. TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES, TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Students are required to demonstrate their problem solving skills in order to analyse document requirements and using online help, manuals and user documentation to produce the business documents. Students should demonstrate an ability to determine appropriate strategies to make decisions about classification and storage of business documents.

4. WORK ORGANISATION, PLANNING AND SELF-MANAGEMENT
Students are expected to organise their own work schedules. Students also must ensure that they evaluate their own performance and identify areas for improvement and that this is demonstrated throughout the semester. They should manage time and ensure ergonomic requirements are met when producing all business documents.

5. COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE NETWORKING, LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND TEAMWORK
Students should be able to communciate with colleagues and customers to gather information about their needs and provide services, listening to and following complex oral instructions, proofreading and editing, writing clear and detailed instuctions. They should agree on the purpose and structure of documents with colleagues and clients, collecting feedback from colleagues and the assessor. Contributions to relevant class discussions and scheduled Collaborate sessions will be observed where applicable. In addition your tasks should demonstrate a very good understanding of strategies for a collaborative approach to writing business documents in the workplace.

 

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