Course Title: Use high-level communication skills in the education workplace
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2014
Course Code: EMPL5975C
Course Title: Use high-level communication skills in the education workplace
School: 360T Education
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C4326 - 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
Linda Finger
9925 9494
linda.finger@rmit.edu.au
Soosan Kian soosan.kian@rmit.edu.au 9925 9183
Nominal Hours: 50
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 course deals with the skills and knowledge required to for education support workers to communicate effectively with education professionals, colleagues, students, parents and community representatives.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCEDS411B Use high-level communication skills in the education workplace |
Element: |
1. Use clear oral and written communication |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Ensure instructions are clear and concise for the intended audience and task |
Element: |
2. Contribute to the development of effective communication within the education organisation |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Consider special communication needs in developing strategies to avoid discrimination |
Element: |
3. Represent the education organisation to an audience as directed by teacher |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Select, prepare and present information to promote the education organisation in an accurate way |
Element: |
4. Facilitate formal and informal discussions and meetings as directed by teacher |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Adhere to agreed venue and times when conducting formal discussions |
Element: |
5. Produce quality written material |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Present written documents in a logical and sequential way that matches the audience and purpose |
Learning Outcomes
This course is applicable to education workers in contexts where high level communication is required for a broad range of duties in a variety of education environments. Thiscourse applies to work undertaken with appropriate guidance, support and supervision by a nominated teacher or other education professional. 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
This unit is part of Certificate IV in Education Support program. You will study this unit with several other units on the same day. Your program consists of face to face teaching, Directed Study and you are expected to participate in professional placement. It is highly recommended that students attend at least 85% of class time as crucial learning activities, assessment task preparation some assessment tasks are completed in class. You are not required to attend 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. Directed Study is a very important part of your program. An outline of your Directed Study will be given by your teacher and is published in the Weekly Program Delivery Plan.
The student learning experience will be facilitated through participation in a range of activities: 

Group, class discussions and oral presentations 

Guest speakers

Oral and/or written questions on "What if?" scenarios

Realistic simulations and role play
Oral Presentations
Using computers to communicate
Individual and group projects - Completing the projects will include negotiated independent study time and practical work relevant to the unit of competency. 

Professional placement communication
Teaching Schedule
Program Dates: Mon 10 Feb – 20 June.
Term Breaks: 21 April – 27 April.
Public holidays: 10 March, 18 April, 9 June
This unit will be delivered weekly. The times will be outlined in the program delivery plans which are updated each week.
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. Should the teaching schedule change students will be advised via blackboard.
Library Orientation & an RMIT Online Systems Information Session will be scheduled during the first two weeks of your program. Information about student services, rights and responsibilities is contained in your student diary.
Week 1-4
RMIT login
Emails
Facebook
How to improve writing skills - Letters/emails
Week 2
RMIT login
Emails
Facebook
How to improve writing skills - Letters/emails
Week 3
RMIT login
Emails
Facebook
How to improve writing skills - Letters/emails
Week 4
RMIT login
Emails
Facebook
How to improve writing skills - Letters/emails
Assignment Task 1
Written letter email or other form of communication
Week 5 - 8
Reflective writing
Comprehension
Giving and following instructions
How to examine a written question
Formal class meeting
Week 6
Reflective writing
Comprehension
Giving and following instructions
How to examine a written question
Formal class meeting
Week 7
Reflective writing
Comprehension
Giving and following instructions
How to examine a written question
Formal class meeting
Week 8
Reflective writing
Comprehension
Giving and following instructions
How to examine a written question
Formal class meeting
Assessment task 2 - class work by participating in the above and some writing possibly reflective writing
Week 9 - 12
Paragraph writing or other writing skills
Week 10
Paragraph writing or other writing skills
mid semester progress interviews
Week 11
Paragraph writing or other writing skills
Week 12
Paragraph writing or other writing skills
Week 13 - 16
How to facilitate discussion
Group discussion rules
Listening skills
Group work rules
PowerPoint skills
Week 14
How to facilitate discussion
Group discussion rules
Listening skills
Group work rules
PowerPoint skills
Week 15
How to facilitate discussion
Group discussion rules
Listening skills
Group work rules
PowerPoint skills
Week 16
How to facilitate discussion
Group discussion rules
Listening skills
Group work rules
PowerPoint skills
Week 17 - 18
oral presentation skills and practice
Week 18
Assessment task 3- oral presentation and PPT
Assessment task 4: Review folio of final assessments
Evidence of practical experience fostering and supporting an effective learning environment; e.g. Observation/Demonstration, Third party
Folio – Presentation (oral and written)
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 Library very cheaply)
• USB (Memory stick)
Overview of Assessment
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:
• Direct observation of actual and simulated work practice
• Oral or written questioning
• Assignments and projects
• 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
Assignment Task 1
Written letter email or other form of communication

Assessment task 2 - class work by participating in the above and some writing possibly reflective writing
Assessment task 3- oral presentation and PPT
Assessment task 4: Review folio of final assessments
Evidence of practical experience fostering and supporting an effective learning environment; e.g. Observation/Demonstration, Third party
Folio – Presentation (oral and written)
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
Please note:
Assessments tasks may include other Units of competency from the program.
All Assessment tasks should be submitted by the deadline. If an extension is required you must ask your teacher for one before the due date.
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