SITTGDE308
Prepare specialised interpretive content on marine environments

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

Application

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, they work independently to research and prepare interpretive content.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Research specialised information on marine environments for presentation.

1.1 Identify key sources of specialised information about marine environments.

1.2 Evaluate the credibility and reliability of information sources.

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

1.4 Make subjects of potential customer interest the 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 the 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.

Required Skills

Required skills

critical thinking and interpretive skills to:

establish an interpretive framework

evaluate and adapt a varied range of information for practical workplace purposes

create key messages, themes and storylines for audiences

literacy skills to:

interpret potentially complex and detailed information on marine environments

learning skills to proactively build own knowledge base

technology skills to use the Internet as a research tool.

Required knowledge

understanding of the 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 a local area, including:

general characteristics

fishing

types of boats and ships and their impact on the environment

key ecological terminology and concepts, including:

biotic and physical factors

populations

biodiversity and abundance

food web

community relations

life cycles

succession

zonation

carbon cycle

water cycle

energy flow

nutrient cycle

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, including:

nature of species and where it is found

roles of individual species within the ecosystem

characteristics

commonalities

interactions between species and the environment

nutrition and life cycles

potentially hazardous marine organisms

identification techniques for marine plants and animals

environmental influences that affect the local marine environment, including climate

nature of human impact on the local marine environment, including positive and negative impacts

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

Australian Indigenous perspective on the local marine environment.

Evidence Required

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 ability to:

demonstrate knowledge of marine environments as detailed under Required Knowledge

develop coherent and interesting interpretations for presentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure use of:

current specialised information sources

current interpretive resources.

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:

direct observation of the individual using knowledge to deliver interpretive commentaries or activities

questioning of group members about the individual’s breadth of knowledge and ability to answer customer questions

review of a research portfolio prepared by the individual

written or oral questioning to assess the way in which the research process has been used

written or oral questioning to assess aspects of specialised knowledge

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the individual.

Guidance information for assessment

The assessor should design integrated assessment activities to holistically assess this unit with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

SITTGDE303 Lead tour groups

SITTGDE304 Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities

SITTPPD402 Develop interpretive activities.

Assessment should also recognise the different ways that people acquire specialised knowledge, for example:

specialised qualifications in the subject matter area

cultural knowledge in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander societies.


Range Statement

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.

Sources may include:

artworks

events

exhibitions

experiences (of self or others)

films

images

Internet

music

other people:

local experts

traditional owners

performances

presentations

professional associations

printed texts (books, journals, magazines, newspapers)

technical information.

Marine environments may include:

beach

lagoon estuarine

mangrove

marsh

reef

river estuarine

rock platform.


Sectors

Tourism


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.