Course Title: Work within specific communities
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2014
Course Code: HWSS5743C
Course Title: Work within specific communities
School: 360T Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4349 - 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
fiona.dean@rmit.edu.au
9925 4650
Nominal Hours: 70
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 unit focuses on developing the knowledge and skills required to work with individuals or groups in specific communities.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCCD413E Work within specific communities |
Element: |
2. Undertake relevant work in the context of specific communities or groups |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Use the values, issues and structures within specific communities to define the ways of working |
Element: |
1. Define the issues of specific communities or groups |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1Identify the details of individual and group issues of the specific community through appropriate research and consultation |
Element: |
3. Evaluate work undertaken within specific communities |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Undertake appropriate evaluation of work in consultation with relevant community stakeholders |
Learning Outcomes
This unit is intended for application within a community work or community development work context. 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

Realistic simulations and role play
Practical demonstrations and direct observation of actual work and simulated work practice
Oral Presentations
Individual and group projects - Completing the projects will include negotiated independent study time and practical work relevant to the unit of competency. 

Work placement
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
Week 1
Models of society : Identifying specific communities and groups within society; their values and structures
Week 2
Defining issues of specific communities or groups; their social, political, cultural, historical issues that affect or are relevant to specific communities and groups
Week 3
Communication and diversity
Communicating and working with individuals and groups from specific communities
Week 4
Cultural and communication protocols for working with specific communities or groups
Assessment Task 1: Evidence Guide
Week 5
Defining ways of working with specific communities
Week 6
Using the values, issues and structures of specific communities to define ways of working
Week 7
Identifying relevant community organisations and support networks, people, stakeholders
Week 8
Protocols when working with specific communities and groups
Week 9
Undertaking relevant work with specific communities or groups; e.g. values, issues and
structures within specific communities define ways of working with specific groups
Assessment Task 2 Project 1 – Research/Q&A
Week 10
Defining roles, protocols, strategies when working with specific groups
Week 11
Using the values, issues and structures within specific communities to define the ways of
working
Week 12
Utilising interpersonal and communication skills consistent with community practices
and standards
Week 13
Monitoring work within communities or groups
Research, data collection/analysis and recording methods
Week 14
Strategies and methods ensuring appropriate and relevant values and structures are reflected
Assessment task 3 : Project 2- Oral presentation
Week 15
Ensuring responsiveness to community needs and issues
Week 16
Evaluating work undertaken within specific communities
Week 17-18
Current issues facing specific communities or groups, strategies to further support specific
communities or groups
Reflecting on experiences working with specific communities
Assessment interview – review folio of final assessments e.g : Evidence Guide, Project 1 and 2, Evidence of practical experience working within specific communitites; e.g Observation/Demonstration, Third Party,
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 and City Library very cheaply)
• USB (Memory stick)
Overview of Assessment
You must demonstrate critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit.
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:
• Oral or written questioning
• oral presentations
• Assignments and projects
• Direct observation of actual work practice
• 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 – Research/Q&A
Assessment Task 3 : Project 2- Oral presentation
Evidence of practical experience working within specific communities; e.g Observation/Demonstration, Third party
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
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