Course Title: Communicate effectively within a community development context

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: EMPL5727C

Course Title: Communicate effectively within a community development context

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5247 - Diploma of Community Development

Course Contact : Sonia Le Fevre

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254914

Course Contact Email:sonia.lefevre@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Community Services Manager -Contact: Anthony Graham 
Contact Phone: +61 3 99254411 
Contact Email: anthony.graham@rmit.edu.au

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

None

Course Description

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to apply higher level communication skills that underpin effective operations within the community development environment.

The high level communication skills described in this unit may be applied across a range of workplace contexts involving skill development, application and evaluation of communication strategies to effectively address identified issues and represent the organisation.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCCD515A Communicate effectively within a community development context

Element:

1.Contribute to the development of effective communication strategies

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Develop, promote, implement and review strategies for internal and external dissemination of information as required to maximise effectiveness of community development programs projects and activities
1.2 Gather and distribute information in respectful ways which value the integrity and ownership of the information
1.3 In developing and implementing strategies, address special communication needs to avoid discrimination in the workplace
1.4 Establish channels of communication and review regularly
1.5 Use negotiation and conflict resolution strategies where required to promote effective operation of the organisation
1.6 Negotiate issues with key stakeholders, community members and staff to facilitate mutually acceptable outcomes
1.7 Maintain relevant work-related networks and relationships to meet objectives
1.8 Ensure all communication with community members and colleagues is appropriate

Element:

2.Represent the organisation to a range of groups

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Present relevant, appropriately researched material in internal and external forums, in an appropriate manner
2.2 Ensure presentations are clear and sequential and delivered within a predetermined time, and utilise appropriate media to enhance the presentation and address audience needs
2.3 Respond to questions from the audience in a manner consistent with organisation standards
2.4 Respect and consider differences in views in a way that values and encourages contributions of others

Element:

3.Facilitate group discussions

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Define and implement mechanisms that enhance effective group interactions
3.2 Routinely use strategies that encourage all group members to participate, including seeking and acknowledging contributions from all members
3.3 Foster leadership within the group
3.4 Support defining and recording of group member roles and responsibilities
3.5 Routinely set and follow objectives and agendas for meetings and discussions
3.6 Provide relevant information to groups as appropriate to facilitate outcomes
3.7 Summarise, affirm and review agreements for action established within the group
3.8 Evaluate group communication strategies to promote ongoing participation of all parties
3.9 Identify and address the specific communication needs of individuals
3.10 Address conflicts between organisation’s purpose and group aims

Element:

4.Support group participants to produce quality written materials

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Ensure writing is succinct and clear and presented in a logical and sequential way to match audience needs and the purpose of the document
4.2 Ensure all written documentation produced addresses organisation guidelines and current accepted standards of writing in line with purpose
4.3 Prepare and provide appropriate and timely advice to management and group members as required
4.4 Support group members to develop written skills

Element:

5.Support group participants to engage the media

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Determine the appropriate media medium to meet group objectives
5.2 Develop an action plan for engagement with the media
5.3 Develop cooperative arrangements with media contacts
5.4 Provide relevant and succinct information to the media
5.5 Support the group to participate in impromptu media interviews
5.6 Evaluate success or otherwise of outcomes of media campaign


Learning Outcomes


See elements


Details of Learning Activities

Students will study communicate effectively within a community development context concepts in the workshop sessions and online (Blackboard discussion) engagement, prescribed exercises and assessment work. These concepts will also be explored through the investigation of appropriate real world and simulated environments.


Teaching Schedule

Workshops will be offered on a monthly basis during the academic year. Workshops are linked to units of competency. An initial upfront assessment will occur with the student that will take into account recognition of current competency and prior learning. The individual student’s knowledge, skills and experience will be considered. Based on this process the student will then have an individual learning plan developed that will highlight the students workshop attendance.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Learning resources such as unit reading, unit references will be provided to all students via their program folders and also placed within the blackboard site as required.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be through a mix of in-class tasks, workplace based projects and a workplace assessment. A workplace assessment appointment will be undertaken once per year with each student to allow students to present and discuss workplace evidence.


Assessment Tasks

A student must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of this particular competency and assessment tasks are based on the requirements of the essential aspects of evidence as outlined in the unit of competency: CHCCD515A Communicate effectively within a community development context.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
A workplace assessment appointment will be undertaken to allow students to present and discuss workplace evidence: Based on the individual student’s knowledge, skills and experience: an individual learning plan will be negotiated and developed.
Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including responses to task questions, in class activities, case studies, and the development of project work in consultation with the Course Coordinator ( assessor) and the student’s workplace.
Student will also be asked to complete an evidence portfolio documenting workplace practise as linked to the unit of competency. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their Course Coordinator to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.


Assessment Matrix

A combination of assessment activities based on each individual student’s learning plans may be developed as required.
Assessments will be based on the level of the individual student’s knowledge, skills and experience as ascertained at a workplace meeting where workplace evidence is discussed and presented.
At completion of the course an evidence portfolio will validate competence with the assessment task activities’ completed for any competency gaps.

CHCCD515A Communicate effectively within a community development context Task questions Case study Workplace project work In class activities Development of an evidence portfolio based on workplace practise 
Element 1 X  X X  X X
Element 2 X  X X  X X
Element 3 X  X X  X X
Element 4 X  X X  X X
Element 5 X  X X  X X

Course Overview: Access Course Overview