Assessor Resource

AHCPER301
Research and communicate information on permaculture principles and practices

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to research permaculture principles and practices, develop research techniques to gather general information on permaculture and non-permaculture systems and appropriately communicate information within culturally diverse groups.

This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Research general information on permaculture

1.1 Identify sources of information about permaculture

1.2 Interpret written sources of information and extract the required information

1.3 Access and investigate information from sources other than written

1.4 Interpret information from non-written sources and extract the required information

2. Document application of permaculture principles to a site

2.1 Identify an appropriate site to study

2.2 Research site, using primary data sources and secondary data sources

2.3 Document examples of how permaculture principles have been practically applied on the site

3. Compare permaculture design approach and practices with those of other food production systems

3.1 Identify a range of food production systems

3.2 Identify key characteristics of each system in relation to management of soil, energy, water, nutrient flow, crop rotation and harvesting

3.3 Compare permaculture practices with those of other systems

4. Communicate general information with others on permaculture

4.1 Discuss and share knowledge with colleagues to increase awareness of permaculture principles and practices

4.2 Prepare and deliver permaculture information to small groups

4.3 Respond to questions about permaculture within a small group

4.4 Communicate responses in a culturally appropriate manner

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

research general information on permaculture

identify differences between permaculture and other land management or land use practices

share general information with others on permaculture

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices

similarities and differences between other land use and management practices and permaculture, such as:

conventional broad-acre farming

battery chicken farms

intensive meat production facilities (e.g. feedlots, piggeries)

fish farming

biodynamic agriculture

organic mixed farms

culturally appropriate speech and behaviour

basic research techniques

using primary data sources:

original data gathered by the researcher

measurements

photographs

maps or sketches

soil tests

observations of light, shade, sun angle

flora and fauna present at the site

slope and contour information

observation of site and adjoining landscape features (e.g. sector analysis)

weather observations

using secondary data sources:

data provided by government departments and agencies, local groups (such as Landcare) or individuals (such as neighbours)

survey documents, maps and plans

official weather data

photographs, such as Google Earth

communication techniques

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III (or higher) in Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is not sufficient at this level.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Research general information on permaculture

1.1 Identify sources of information about permaculture

1.2 Interpret written sources of information and extract the required information

1.3 Access and investigate information from sources other than written

1.4 Interpret information from non-written sources and extract the required information

2. Document application of permaculture principles to a site

2.1 Identify an appropriate site to study

2.2 Research site, using primary data sources and secondary data sources

2.3 Document examples of how permaculture principles have been practically applied on the site

3. Compare permaculture design approach and practices with those of other food production systems

3.1 Identify a range of food production systems

3.2 Identify key characteristics of each system in relation to management of soil, energy, water, nutrient flow, crop rotation and harvesting

3.3 Compare permaculture practices with those of other systems

4. Communicate general information with others on permaculture

4.1 Discuss and share knowledge with colleagues to increase awareness of permaculture principles and practices

4.2 Prepare and deliver permaculture information to small groups

4.3 Respond to questions about permaculture within a small group

4.4 Communicate responses in a culturally appropriate manner

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

research general information on permaculture

identify differences between permaculture and other land management or land use practices

share general information with others on permaculture

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices

similarities and differences between other land use and management practices and permaculture, such as:

conventional broad-acre farming

battery chicken farms

intensive meat production facilities (e.g. feedlots, piggeries)

fish farming

biodynamic agriculture

organic mixed farms

culturally appropriate speech and behaviour

basic research techniques

using primary data sources:

original data gathered by the researcher

measurements

photographs

maps or sketches

soil tests

observations of light, shade, sun angle

flora and fauna present at the site

slope and contour information

observation of site and adjoining landscape features (e.g. sector analysis)

weather observations

using secondary data sources:

data provided by government departments and agencies, local groups (such as Landcare) or individuals (such as neighbours)

survey documents, maps and plans

official weather data

photographs, such as Google Earth

communication techniques

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III (or higher) in Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is not sufficient at this level.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify sources of information about permaculture 
Interpret written sources of information and extract the required information 
Access and investigate information from sources other than written 
Interpret information from non-written sources and extract the required information 
Identify an appropriate site to study 
Research site, using primary data sources and secondary data sources 
Document examples of how permaculture principles have been practically applied on the site 
Identify a range of food production systems 
Identify key characteristics of each system in relation to management of soil, energy, water, nutrient flow, crop rotation and harvesting 
Compare permaculture practices with those of other systems 
Discuss and share knowledge with colleagues to increase awareness of permaculture principles and practices 
Prepare and deliver permaculture information to small groups 
Respond to questions about permaculture within a small group 
Communicate responses in a culturally appropriate manner 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPER301 - Research and communicate information on permaculture principles and practices
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPER301 - Research and communicate information on permaculture principles and practices

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: