Course Title: Write reports
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2011
Course Code: COMM5879C
Course Title: Write reports
School: 130T Vocational Engineering
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6069 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology
Course Contact: Program Manager
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468
Course Contact Email: engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Co-ordinator: Leon Mattatia
Phone 9925 4668
Email: leon.mattatia@rmit.edu.au
Teacher: Mark Burns
Telephone: 9925 4604; Fax: 9925 4377
Email: mark.burns@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 20
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
Path 1
MEM14005A Plan a complete activity
Course Description
This unit covers writing technical or non-technical reports that include some level of analysis and/or research.
Application of the competency:
The term report is used to denote any required written communication that goes beyond a simple recording of facts (such as completion of a pro forma shift production schedule) and which is based on a level of analysis and/or research.
Where reports include technical information or details, then the writer would have the required technical knowledge/capability.
Conclusions and/or recommendations where required are based on prior research or analysis of data. The analysis and conclusions should be consistent with the level of skill and knowledge of an employee working at that level. Simple analysis and research would be required.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MEM16010A Write reports |
Element: |
1. Identify report requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Requirements for a written report are identified and confirmed with appropriate persons. |
Element: |
2. Prepare and produce report |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 A structure and outline of the report are developed according to identified report requirements. |
Element: |
3. Finalise and distribute report |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 The report is checked for accuracy and edited as required. |
Learning Outcomes
REQUIRED SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:
Required Skills:
Evidence that confirms skills in:
• reading, interpreting and following information on
written job instructions, specifications, standard
operating procedures, charts, lists, drawings and other
applicable reference documents
• following instructions
• checking and clarifying information
• sorting information/data
• assessing information/data for relevance
• using terminology and language appropriate to the target
audience
• structuring and writing reports
• applying principles of report writing
• presenting findings and conclusions based on factual
analysis
• making recommendations
• managing own time
• planning and sequencing information
• reviewing and editing
Required Knowledge:
Evidence that confirms knowledge of:
• principles of report writing
• report types and purposes, structure, style and parts of a report
• use of language and expression in reports
• common pitfalls, such as ambiguity, truisms, tautology, verbosity, circumlocution etc.
• report numbering systems
• techniques for reviewing and editing
• importance and benefits of preparing reports appropriate for the intended audience
• referencing and the importance of acknowledging sources
• safe work practices and procedures
Details of Learning Activities
You will:
- Identify and clarify report requirements
- Prepare and produce (Research & Laboratory) reports
- Edit, check and distribute (Research & Laboratory) reports
Teaching Schedule
Session No. Topic PC=Performance Criteria; RR=Research report; LR=Lab Report
1 General introduction. Delivery & assessment. PC 1.1.-1.3; 2.1-2.5; 3.1-3.3
2 Reports ppt; Research Reports (RR) marking template (intro) PC 2.1-2.5
3 Students mark RR1 using marking template; compare marking and discuss; RMIT resources (Plagiarism, report writing); other resources PC 2.1-2.5
4 Students mark RR2 & RR3; then compare and discuss marking. Terminology, principles of report writing PC 2.1-2.5
5 Referencing online tutorial (RMIT); Work on ATN1 PC 2.5
6 Work on ATN1: Check, edit, finalise and distribute report. PC 3.1-3.3
7 Work on ATN1 PC 1.1-3.3
8 Laboratory Report (LR1) intro; Lab reports resource review; Students mark, compare and discuss marking. PC 2.1-2.5
9 LR2: Students mark, then compare and discuss marking. PC 2.1-2.5
10 LR3: Students mark, then compare and discuss marking. PC 2.1-2.5
11 Work on ATN2 Lab Report. 2.1-2.5
12 ATN2 Lab Report: Check, edit, finalise and distribute report. 2.1-2.5
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Pocket book of Technical Writing for Engineers and Scientists (Third edition). |
Other Resources
Some materials and exercises will be provided.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including written activities and demonstration of practical skills to the relevant industry standards. Participants are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment activities to their teacher/assessor. Feedback will be provided throughout the course.
Evidence of student’s competence can be gathered through a variety of ways including:
• observation of processes and procedures;
• oral and/or written questioning on required knowledge and skills;
• testimony from supervisors, colleagues, clients and/or other appropriate persons;
• inspection of the final product or outcome;
• a portfolio of documentary evidence.
Graded Assessment out of 100 Marks will be based on the results obtained for Wriitten Reports submitted.
Students must gain a pass in ALL forms of assessment in order to gain this competency.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task No. (ATN)
ATN1 – Research Report 50% (Conduct research and) complete Research Report as specified.
ATN2 – Laboratory Report 50% Complete Laboratory report as specified.
Assessment Matrix
1 Identify report requirements (ATN1 & 2)
- 1.1 Requirements for a written report are identified and confirmed with appropriate persons.
- 1.2 Information for the report is accessed according to workplace procedures.
- 1.3 Information is assessed for currency, accuracy and relevance for inclusion in the report.
- 2.1 A structure and outline of the report are developed according to identified report requirements.
- 2.2 The report is written using terminology appropriate to the reader and established principles of report writing.
- 2.3 Findings and conclusions are based on factual analysis.
- 2.4 Recommendations, alternatives/suggestions are given, and supporting evidence supplied, where required.
- 2.5 Protocols, conventions and legal requirements related to acknowledgements and intellectual property are applied where necessary.
- 3.2 The completed report is consistent with objectives and requirements.
- 3.3 The report is copied, distributed and stored according to instructions and workplace procedures.
NB: Students must achieve competency in both assessment tasks to achieve competency in this unit. Only if unit competency is achieved can a graded result be given.
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