Assessor Resource

SISONAV302A
Apply navigation skills in an intermediate environment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to outdoor recreation guides or instructors working for private outdoor adventure companies and or school based outdoor education programs, such as holiday programs and camps. Activities requiring navigation may include bushwalking, skiing, snowboarding, off - highway motorcycling or mountain biking in uncontrolled environments with few obvious visible landmarks, minimal clearance and signage, limited modifications made to the natural surface and may include terrain and man-made hazards, such as cliff lines or dense forests.

This unit may also apply to navigation on difficult or trackless waterways where there are few obvious visible waterway landmarks and the craft may be affected by wind and or currents and tides.

This unit also applies to outdoor recreation leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to navigate in uncontrolled environments within an activity-specific context. This includes areas with few obvious visible landmarks, minimal clearance and limited modifications made to the natural surface and where the changes in weather and visibility may occur.

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

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

applies relevant process to plan a route in uncontrolled environments and demonstrates navigation techniques to orientate and follow directions

navigates around obstacles in uncontrolled environments while maintaining a compass course

evaluates and reflects on own navigation performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in navigation activities in uncontrolled environments that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable outdoor location with uncontrolled environments within an activity-specific context that align with Class 5 Tracks within the Australian Standards for Walking Tracks

navigation equipment such as map or maps, compass, GPS and activity-specific equipment.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of navigation techniques used to maintain a course in uncontrolled environments

observation of safe participation and demonstration of navigation skills, such as maintaining a compass course while bypassing an obstacle and identifying unknown features when lost

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISOBWG302A Apply intermediate bushwalking skills.

or

SISOMBK302A Apply advanced off-road cycling skills.

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.

Required skills

literacy skills to:

read and interpret maps

follow instructions and procedures

develop a navigation data sheet

planning and organising skills to:

obtain navigation equipment

plan and follow routes and courses

numeracy skills to navigate and calculate grid and magnetic bearings and distances using a map and compass

problem-solving skills to:

maintain a compass course while bypassing an obstacle

fix position and determine current location when lost in uncontrolled environments.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all activities

different types of maps, sources of error and accuracy, and their advantages and disadvantages to enable selection of appropriate maps

map features, including symbols, contour lines, scales, grid lines and legends to enable effective map reading

features of a compass, their use and factors that affect compass accuracy

route planning and factors that should be considered, such as weather and type of terrain

navigation techniques in uncontrolled environments to determine distance, location, direction and potential obstacles

techniques for estimating distance travelled, determining position when lost and navigating around obstacles.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Map or maps may include:

cadastral and topographic maps

charts

hydrographic

aerial photographs

guide books and diagrams

satellite imagery

digital map

sketch maps.

Symbols and information may include:

grid lines and numbers

contour lines

magnetic variation

scale

map legend

topographic features

markers and beacons

water depth.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

communication protocols

use and maintenance of equipment

code of ethics.

Navigation data sheet may include:

grid reference points

grid and magnetic bearings

distances

estimated travelling times

height gain or loss

gradient

identifiable features

escape routes.

Navigation techniques may include:

use of compass

linear features

point features

attack points

aiming off

collecting features

spiral search

sweep search

backbearings and resections

use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

Surroundings may include:

ground or terrain

snow conditions

bodies of water

beacons and markers

natural formations

landmarks

man-made features.

Uncontrolled environments may include:

limited modifications to the natural surface

minimal clearance along the track and signage

terrain and man-made hazards

tracks align with Class 5 Tracks within the Australian Standards for Walking Tracks

areas of water where there are few obvious visible landmarks.

Navigation aids may include:

track and creek junctions and crossings

survey markers

beacons

track markers

cairns

paths

lines

signs

arrows

watch

weather charts

man-made objects or features

transits.

Techniques for estimating distance may include:

time

observation of surroundings

relation to features

pacing.

Obstacles may include:

logs

rocks

gullies

trees

varying snow conditions

exposed areas

thick vegetation

drops and climbs

marshes and bogs

fog

rivers, lakes and dams.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

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
Obtain and become familiar with appropriate map or maps for the activity. 
Identify symbols and information contained on the map that may be used in navigation. 
Apply information contained on the map to plan an efficient route or course according to specific activity requirements, contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Obtain and identify essential features of a compass and how it is used to maintain a designated course. 
Calculate grid and magnetic bearings using a map and compass. 
Prepare a navigation data sheet, and identify emergency or contingency escape routes. 
Apply navigation techniques to orientate map to surroundings with a compass and identify factors that affect accuracy. 
Follow a route in remote, uncontrolled environments, demonstrating use of navigation aids according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Apply techniques for estimating distance travelled. 
Maintain, where necessary, a compass course while bypassing an obstacle. 
Identify unknown features in the field using map and compass. 
Demonstrate technique to fix position and identify unknown features when lost. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of navigation. 
Identify improvements or modifications for future navigations in uncontrolled environments. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISONAV302A - Apply navigation skills in an intermediate environment
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

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISONAV302A - Apply navigation skills in an intermediate environment

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:

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