Course Title: Communicate effectively within a community development context

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: GEDU5977C

Course Title: Communicate effectively within a community development context

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5247 - Diploma of Community Development

Course Contact : Mandy Morrison

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254065

Course Contact Email:mandy.morrison@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

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

In this course you will explore  the knowledge and skills required to apply higher level communication skills that underpin effective operations within the community development environment.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCCD515B 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


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

You will be involved in learning activities in 1 day long workshop & 2 eveing workshops. These will include group discussions and group exercises which review discussion and lecture content. Reflection on your own work context is a significant aspect of this course and you will be given opportunities to discuss and think about your own practice.


Teaching Schedule

There are 14 full day workshops + 13 evening workshop scheduled for this program. This course will be covered in Workshops 15,16 &17
Workshops Title Dates Workshop content Course
15/16/17 Communication & group work skills

July 6th/16th/21st

 

You will explore the skills and knowledge required to apply higher level communication skills that underpin efective operations within the community development context

 

 CHCCD515B Communicate effectiviely with a Community Devlopment context. E1,2,3,4,5

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None required


References


Other Resources

Preparatory reading material and/or youtube recordings will be made available prior to workshops (where relevant). Where the teacher has used a powerpoint presentation during the workshop, these resources and other learning activities and handouts will be made available to enroled students post the workshop via electronic methods.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment tasks will assess your ability to demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills and knowledge to support your group/ organisation members to communicate effectively both internally and externally, to disseminate information in order to achieve the groups aims and build  individual and group capacity. You will be required to produce examples of oral and written tasks including media materials & presentations relevant to the context of community development activities and demonstrate skills required to effectively  facilitate group discussions.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment for this course is based on 4 Tasks:                                                                                                                     

  • Task 1 -  Develop a media campaign to encourage particpation and interest for your community development project, including strategies of how information wil be diseminated both inernally & externally to address inclusivity issues and maximise effectiveness
  • Task 2 -  Prepare and deliver a presentation about your organisation or community group to a simulated group of commitee representatives of organisations to promote your activities during the final workshop for the year
  • Task 3 -  Participate in a workshop based role play based on a simulated community group meeting. You will be required to produce a set of meeting minutes and an agenda.
  • Task 4 - Prepare a written example of a media release to  publicize your community dvelopment project. 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant course. These are available from the Program Coordinator.

This program is delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, grades include:

CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did Not Submit for assessment

Other Information

Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet
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
It is strongly advised that you attend all workshops in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your competency. Information regarding student feedback can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. The Student progress policy can be found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
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. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity Web site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n

Course Overview: Access Course Overview