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 third |
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.