Elements and Performance Criteria

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

An interpretive activity:
may include:
guided walks
guided site activities
touring activities
sporting activities
one or more activities that may be combined in an overall tour program

may relate to a range of subjects, including:
wildlife
domestic and farm animals
birds
history and heritage
culture
art
natural environment
built environment
sports
festivals or seasonal themes.


Resources may include:
natural resources
audiovisual equipment, such as:
video and video monitor
slides and slide projector
microphone
overhead projector and transparencies
handouts
costumes
props
actors and performers
guest speakers
special interest organisations.


Other specialists may include:
subject matter experts
cultural advisers
technical experts
creative designers
actors and performers
marketers
environmental educators
interpretation consultants.

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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to develop all operational aspects of interpretive activities that meet the needs of the specific customers and objectives of the organisation and evaluate those activities
subject knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge to the development of tourism-related interpretive activities
planning and developing various interpretive activities covering multiple themes and messages that meet the needs of different customer groups to ensure consistency of performance
planning and developing interpretive activities that take account of the commercial constraints of their delivery, e.g. budget restrictions and limitations on activity duration
planning and developing interpretive activities for a number of different delivery environments (e.g. at a nature-based site, at a cultural site, in a national park or on a walking tour) to ensure that skills can be adapted to different delivery locations and contexts
project or work activities conducted over an operationally realistic period of time so that monitoring, evaluation and review of interpretive activities can be assessed, e.g. through a pilot of activities.


Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to and use of appropriate environments for which interpretive activities can be planned and developed, e.g. nature-based sites, cultural sites, national parks and walking tours
access to comprehensive and sufficient information about the customer base for which interpretive activities would be planned to allow the candidate to fully develop appropriate activities
access to resources and equipment used for the presentation of interpretive activities.


Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to plan and develop interpretive activities. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
project to develop and evaluate activities for a nominated customer group or organisation
review of planning and development activities undertaken as part of industry placement or training with an industry operator
written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of interpretation principles and activity development processes
case studies to assess ability to tailor activities and information to suit particular customer needs
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SITTGDE006A Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities
SITTGDE008A Research and share general information on Australian Indigenous culture
SITTGDE009A Interpret aspects of local Australian Indigenous culture
SITTGDE010B Prepare specialised interpretive content on flora, fauna and landscape
SITTGDE011B Prepare specialised interpretive content on marine environments
SITTGDE012B Prepare specialised interpretive content on cultural and heritage environments.
This unit involves substantial knowledge of the subject matter around which the interpretive activity is based. This knowledge must be thoroughly assessed. Co-assessment with at least one of the abovementioned units is required. Those units describe skills and knowledge essential to this unit of competency.

Assessment methods should take into account that individuals may have acquired this knowledge through formal study or life experience. This would include such things as the recognition of scientific qualifications of ecotour guides and recognition systems that relate to cultural knowledge that exists in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies.


Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.