Course Title: Research current issues
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2021
Course Code: GEDU6188
Course Title: Research current issues
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4399 - Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study)
Course Contact: Melanie Reynolds
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4059
Course Contact Email: melanie.reynolds@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 55
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
In this unit of competency, you will be introduced to skills and knowledge to broaden your understanding of current issues. The competency will cover skills in research, discussion and writing about current issues of significance to Australia, in a further study context.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU22627 Research current issues |
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Element: |
1. Select a current issue of significance in Australia |
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Performance Criteria: |
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Element: |
2. Research a current issue of significance in Australia |
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Performance Criteria: |
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Element: |
3. Discuss the current issue |
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Performance Criteria: |
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Element: |
4. Write about a current issue |
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Performance Criteria: |
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Learning Outcomes
The outcomes described in this unit relate to:
The ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings) descriptors for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening 3/3+ and Writing 3/3+ and the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) indicators of Reading, Writing and Oral Communication competence at Level 4.
Details of Learning Activities
This unit is part of Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study) which is an integrated program. This means that you will study this unit with another unit on the same day as part of a cluster (taught with VU22647/GEDU6183 - Take notes from complex spoken texts for study purposes). For this cluster you 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 are not required to attend classes to complete the 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.
This unit in part covers the listening and writing macro skills addressed in the certificate.
Examples of how you will practice and study the units:
You will also select a range of current issues in Australia and use these to practice developing your listening, notetaking and research skills. Using current issues you will:
- Use reading strategies to identify main facts and opinions on issues
- Analyse different viewpoints and evidence
- Discuss opinions on issue using conversational strategies
- Write your opinion with support ideas
Teaching Schedule
Course Dates
Semester 2: Monday 12 July 2021 – Friday 5 November
Mid semester break: Monday 30 August-Friday 3 September 2021
Public Holidays: Grand Final Holiday Friday 24 September, Melbourne Cup Day 2 November 2021
**The teaching schedule maybe subject to change. Students will be advised via Canvas and in class should changes occur.
All students will be inducted into the program and into RMIT. induction includes:
- Induction Booklet and presentation
- Explore RMIT activity
- Orientation to RMIT Libraries
Course Schedule: | ||||
Week |
Activity |
Elements VU22647 |
Elements VU22627 |
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Week 1
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Welcome GTKY as a class and in small groups, including class agreement Orientation to RMIT Overview of Cluster 3 Language of discussion formal and informal Pronunciation and intonation to identify individual problems and techniques to improve clarity Focus on notetaking from a spoken text:
Focus on Listening techniques
Focus on Text Analysis. Listening to an aural text for audience, purpose, tone and text structure |
1 |
1 2 3 |
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Week 2
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Review note taking styles and features Focus on paraphrasing, abbreviations, symbols Review helpful listening techniques Introduction to Text analysis
Consider use of idioms, colloquial language, irony, sarcasm, understatement and exaggeration Direct study: note taking for text analysis |
1 2 |
1 2 |
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Week 3
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Review direct study Continue focus on previous features of text analysis Continue note taking styles and features Continue note taking for text analysis Continue listening skills Analyse persuasive techniques in spoken text Consider use of facts and opinions and use of visual persuasive techniques Consider style, discourse features and key structural features of spoken text Direct study: note taking for text analysis |
2 |
1 2 |
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| Week 4 |
Review direct study Continue text analysis Consider use of body language in communicating point of view Consider tone, stress and intonation in communication Apply knowledge of text analysis to a text Discuss findings in small groups and as a class. |
2 |
1 2 |
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Week 5
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Practice Assessment Task 1 Consider background information to text and key vocabulary
Listen to a spoken text and take notes for text analysis, answer text analysis questions |
2 |
2 1 |
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Week 6
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Assessment Task 1 Consider background information to text and key vocabulary
Listen to a spoken text and take notes for text analysis, answer text analysis questions |
1 2 |
3 |
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Week 7
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1 2 |
2 |
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Week 8
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Confirm issue of choice and sources with teacher Note taking of main facts and details Use of note taking styles and features Paraphrasing practice Explore note taking apps Consider reading strategies to maximise reading results
Direct Study: Practise taking take notes from 2 sources related to an issue (one written source, one spoken source) And synthesise information Evaluate different points of view |
1 |
1 2 |
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Week 9
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Review practice notetaking Practice participating in and facilitating group tutorials about current issues Practice being a facilitator (provide information; enable participation; use contributions) Practise group Interactions and turn taking, listening, responding to opinions, adding reasons and information, demonstrating involvement in a discussion Direct Study (= AT 2 Notetaking)
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1 2 |
3 |
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Week 10
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Further practice participating in and facilitating group tutorials about current issues Include focus on grammar requirements, including use of reported speech, discourse markers, use question form to enable ongoing discussion / demonstrate involvement, range of sentence types and range of verbs Assessment Task 2 **– Note Taking due:
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1 |
3 |
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Week 11
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Practice assessment AT 2 – Participate a group discussion.
Participate in and facilitate group tutorial Reflect on own performance |
1 2 |
1 2 4 |
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Week 12
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AT 2 will take place in class time
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1 |
1 2 |
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Week 13
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Introduction to AT 3 Consider essay structure in general and of an opinion essay. Consider features of a sample essay plan for an opinion essay. Write essay plan for own essay Consider structure of sample opinion essay. Assessment Task 3 ** Essay Plan due |
2 |
1 2 4 |
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Week 14
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Continue focus on features of an opinion essay. e.g. paragraph structure use of information paraphrasing and referencing required grammar Assessment Task 3 First essay draft due |
2 |
1 2 4 |
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Week 15
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Revise text analysis features Consider and clarify text analysis questions in AT 3. Apply Text Analysis questions to spoken text of choice. Reconsider aspects of essay writing as needed Assessment Task 3: Second essay draft due Appendix 1 due |
1 2 |
1 2 3 4 |
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Week 16
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Assessment Task 3: Final essay due Reconsider aspects of essay writing as needed |
1 2 |
1 2 3 4 |
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Week 17 |
Finalise assessment and results. Assessment re-sits. End-of -semester exit interview |
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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:
- Dictionary/Thesaurus
- Display folder with plastic sleeves
- Highlighter pens
- Notebook or loose leaf paper in folder
- Headphones
- Laptop computer
Overview of Assessment
This course is part of a full-time integrated 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 quizzes, notetaking, summaries and short answer responses, essays and research reports and groupwork.
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester, in both oral and written form, 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 Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
The Student Charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT university student as well as the responsibilities of the university. This can be found on the RMIT University website at: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/student-responsibilities/student-charter
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which can be found on the RMIT University website at: https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/governance-and-management/policies/assessment-policy
Assessment Tasks
Summative assessments:
Assessment Task 1: Analyse features of Spoken Text DUE (Week 6)
Assessment Task 2: Participate in a group discussion (Week 12)
Assessment Task 3: Write an opinion piece on an issue (Week 16)
Formative assessment may also be used: ongoing observations, summaries and review of student work
Please note: Assessments tasks may include other courses (Units of Competency) from the program
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.
www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Assessment Matrix
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. You are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with your teacher or program coordinator.
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:
- have a significant adverse impact on your performance in assessment or
- prevent you from attempting or submitting the assessment. Special
- Consideration www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
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