Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCSOL303 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCSOL303 - Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide information about and determine its suitability for garden beds or turf areas and determine ameliorants or additives to improve it.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. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare and collect soil samples for testing
  • Determine reasons for testing of soil
  • Prepare tools and materials for collecting samples
  • Take samples according to recognised sampling techniques
  • Label and record samples
       
Element: Determine physical characteristics of sample
  • Conduct tests for texture and structure on the samples
  • Determine soil colour and the presence of organic matter
  • Determine characteristics of soil profile where required
  • Determine depth of topsoil and determine if sufficient for the requirements of the plants to be installed
  • Determine the ability of soil to drain or retain water
  • Assess the physical characteristics of soil and determine improvements needed
       
Element: Determine chemical characteristics of sample
  • Conduct tests for pH and salinity
  • Determine the suitability of soil for particular plants
  • Determine the soil’s fertility and the need for additional fertiliser or other amendments
  • Determine the chemical characteristics of soil and improvements needed
       
Element: Prepare soils for planting or replanting
  • Improve physical characteristics of garden or lawn areas as required
  • Adjust pH and salinity of soil in garden or lawn areas as required
  • Incorporate additional soil as needed to establish final levels
  • Finish soil level and consolidate ready for planting according to planting plans and enterprise procedures
       


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. Prepare and collect soil samples for testing

1.1 Determine reasons for testing of soil

1.2 Prepare tools and materials for collecting samples

1.3 Take samples according to recognised sampling techniques

1.4 Label and record samples

2. Determine physical characteristics of sample

2.1 Conduct tests for texture and structure on the samples

2.2 Determine soil colour and the presence of organic matter

2.3 Determine characteristics of soil profile where required

2.4 Determine depth of topsoil and determine if sufficient for the requirements of the plants to be installed

2.5 Determine the ability of soil to drain or retain water

2.6 Assess the physical characteristics of soil and determine improvements needed

3. Determine chemical characteristics of sample

3.1 Conduct tests for pH and salinity

3.2 Determine the suitability of soil for particular plants

3.3 Determine the soil’s fertility and the need for additional fertiliser or other amendments

3.4 Determine the chemical characteristics of soil and improvements needed

4. Prepare soils for planting or replanting

4.1 Improve physical characteristics of garden or lawn areas as required

4.2 Adjust pH and salinity of soil in garden or lawn areas as required

4.3 Incorporate additional soil as needed to establish final levels

4.4 Finish soil level and consolidate ready for planting according to planting plans and enterprise procedures

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:

conduct tests to determine soil physical properties of texture and structure

conduct tests to determine soil chemical properties of pH and salinity

make observations about fertility, mineral and organic matter content based on sample colour

make observations about soil drainage and water holding capacity

make recommendations to improve soils based on results of simple soil tests

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

principles and practices for providing information on soils or growing media

physical properties of soils and media

chemical properties of soils and media

products and processes for improving soils and media

sample collection, testing and methods used to perform tests

water holding capacity and readily available water

organic matter in soil and media

soil ameliorants and improvement techniques

nutrient availability in soils

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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. Prepare and collect soil samples for testing

1.1 Determine reasons for testing of soil

1.2 Prepare tools and materials for collecting samples

1.3 Take samples according to recognised sampling techniques

1.4 Label and record samples

2. Determine physical characteristics of sample

2.1 Conduct tests for texture and structure on the samples

2.2 Determine soil colour and the presence of organic matter

2.3 Determine characteristics of soil profile where required

2.4 Determine depth of topsoil and determine if sufficient for the requirements of the plants to be installed

2.5 Determine the ability of soil to drain or retain water

2.6 Assess the physical characteristics of soil and determine improvements needed

3. Determine chemical characteristics of sample

3.1 Conduct tests for pH and salinity

3.2 Determine the suitability of soil for particular plants

3.3 Determine the soil’s fertility and the need for additional fertiliser or other amendments

3.4 Determine the chemical characteristics of soil and improvements needed

4. Prepare soils for planting or replanting

4.1 Improve physical characteristics of garden or lawn areas as required

4.2 Adjust pH and salinity of soil in garden or lawn areas as required

4.3 Incorporate additional soil as needed to establish final levels

4.4 Finish soil level and consolidate ready for planting according to planting plans and enterprise procedures

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
Determine reasons for testing of soil 
Prepare tools and materials for collecting samples 
Take samples according to recognised sampling techniques 
Label and record samples 
Conduct tests for texture and structure on the samples 
Determine soil colour and the presence of organic matter 
Determine characteristics of soil profile where required 
Determine depth of topsoil and determine if sufficient for the requirements of the plants to be installed 
Determine the ability of soil to drain or retain water 
Assess the physical characteristics of soil and determine improvements needed 
Conduct tests for pH and salinity 
Determine the suitability of soil for particular plants 
Determine the soil’s fertility and the need for additional fertiliser or other amendments 
Determine the chemical characteristics of soil and improvements needed 
Improve physical characteristics of garden or lawn areas as required 
Adjust pH and salinity of soil in garden or lawn areas as required 
Incorporate additional soil as needed to establish final levels 
Finish soil level and consolidate ready for planting according to planting plans and enterprise procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCSOL303 - Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas
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

AHCSOL303 - Implement soil improvements for garden and turf areas

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: