SITTGDE009
Prepare specialised interpretive content on marine environments


Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to research and critically analyse specialised information on marine environments to develop interpretive themes and messages. It highlights the need for ongoing research to update and expand knowledge.

This unit applies across many industry sectors and has particular application to guides who work in marine parks, aquaria, on cruise or dive boats or in resort areas where there is strong visitor interest in the marine environment. In this context, guides work independently to research and prepare interpretive content.

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


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1. Research specialised information on marine environments for presentation.

1.1.Identify key sources of specialised information about marine environments.

1.2.Evaluate credibility and reliability of information sources.

1.3.Use formal and informal research techniques to access current and relevant information.

1.4.Determine potential subjects of customer interest and make focus of research activities.

2. Prepare specialised information on marine environments.

2.1.Analyse information and develop interpretive themes and messages to meet customer needs.

2.2.Organise information to support ways in which it will be used and presented.

3. Update knowledge of specialised information on marine environments.

3.1.Identify and use opportunities to maintain currency of knowledge about specialised topics.

3.2.Proactively seek opportunities to enhance and expand own knowledge base.

3.3.Incorporate updated and expanded knowledge into work activities.

Evidence of Performance

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

prepare three different presentations, with each presentation:

using at least four credible and reliable sources of information

demonstrating knowledge of marine environments as listed in the knowledge evidence

using appropriate ecological terminology and concepts

incorporating interpretive themes and messages

organising information in a logical and suitable manner for presentation.


Evidence of Knowledge

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

role of interpretation in creating a powerful customer experience

current interpretive theory, methods and media

sources of information on the local marine environment

key marine environments in the local area:

beach

lagoon estuarine

mangrove

marsh

reef

river estuarine

rock platform

key ecological terminology and concepts:

biodiversity and abundance

biotic and physical factors

carbon cycle

community relations

energy flow

food web

life cycles

nutrient cycle

populations

succession

water cycle

zonation

interrelationships between parts of the ecosystem in a marine context

developmental processes related to the formation of different local marine environments and biogeography

major species of animals and plant life within the local marine environment:

characteristics

commonalities

interactions between species and the environment

nature of species and where it is found

nutrition and life cycles

potentially hazardous marine organisms

roles of individual species within the ecosystem

identification techniques for marine plants and animals

environmental influences that affect the local marine environment

nature of human impact on the local marine environment:

positive impacts

negative impacts:

types of boats and ships and their impact

fishing and its impact

management and catchment management regimes for local marine environments, relevant authorities and codes of practice

Australian Indigenous perspective on the local marine environment

information sources frequently used by guides:

artworks

events

exhibitions

experiences (of self or others)

films

images

internet

music

local experts

traditional owners

performances

presentations

professional associations

printed texts, books, journals, magazines, newspapers

technical information.


Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in an operational guiding environment. This can be:

an industry workplace where specialised interpretive content is developed for guiding activities

a simulated activity involving the development of specialised interpretive content for guiding activities.

Assessment must ensure access to:

current sources of information as listed in the knowledge evidence

current interpretive resources

equipment used to source, record and store information:

computer and software

internet

data storage equipment.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors; and:

have worked in industry for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.


Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement

SKILLS

DESCRIPTION

Reading skills to:

interpret potentially complex and detailed information on marine environments.

Writing skills to:

make notes on marine environments.

Initiative and enterprise skills to:

establish an interpretive framework

evaluate and adapt information for practical workplace purposes

create key messages, themes and storylines for customers.

Technology skills to:

use the internet as a research tool.


Sectors

Tourism


Competency Field

Guiding