EXSC206 - Professional Experience Preparation

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

(NUTR101 Introduction to Nutrition or EXSC118 Nutrition and Exercise ) ANDEXSC187 Growth, Motor Development and Ageing AND EXSC199 Psychology of Sport AND (BIOL124 Human Body in Health and Disease 1 or BIOL125 Human Biology 1 )

Teaching organisation

Unit rationale, description and aim

Professional practice experience is an integral aspect of the transition from learner to practitioner, providing opportunities for the application of knowledge, understanding and skills in a work context. The aim of the unit is to prepare students for professional practice opportunities, categorising professional skills and attributes, career planning and determining professional skills and attributes for professional practice.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Be compliant for professional practice appropriate for ACU work integrated learning. (GA1, GA3, GA7, GA10)

LO2 - Understand the scope of practice of exercise science, sports science and exercise physiologist in various work contexts (GA2, GA3, GA4, GA5, GA6, GA8, GA10)

LO3 - Classify elements of risk and risk management, and recognise the ESSA code of Professional Conduct and Ethical practice relevant for professional practice (GA3, GA5, GA6, GA7, GA9)

LO4 - Critically reflect upon your knowledge and skills attained throughout your program of study and plan professional development and career aspirations (GA1, GA3, GA65, GA6, GA7, GA8)

Graduate attributes

GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity 

GA2 - recognise their responsibility to the common good, the environment and society 

GA3 - apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making

GA4 - think critically and reflectively 

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA6 - solve problems in a variety of settings taking local and international perspectives into account

GA7 - work both autonomously and collaboratively 

GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media 

GA10 - utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively.

Content

The unit aims to prepare students for structured experiences in host organisations approved by the Professional Experience Coordinator and experience in branches of exercise and sports science in which students might seek employment after graduation. This includes:

• Purpose of compliance in professional practice and work integrated learning
• Explore principles and practices in Exercise Science, Sports Science and Exercise Physiology in a variety of settings
• Explore risk management in exercise science and workplace contexts
• Exercise and Sports Science Australia Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice
• Career planning and determining relevant skills and experiences for successful practicum

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This national unit is delivered a mixed model approach of learning strategies. It employs an active learning approach consisting of some self-directed learning, online and workshops. It is designed to provide students with access to the knowledge and understanding, resources and preparatory requirements necessary for sourcing, organising and completing meaningful professional practice experiences. These strategies will allow students to meet the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate accordingly.

Assessment strategy and rationale

In order to best enable students to achieve unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes, online modules have been designed to meet ACU-specific and discipline-specific professional practice requirements. The online modules align with the unit learning outcomes and provide appropriate feedback to guide students to correct response information. Each online module must be completed correctly to ensure that the student has read and understood each step in the practicum process, as a prerequisite to EXSC398 Professional Experience. All assessment tasks allow students to prepare for practicum experiences and apply knowledge from across the unit (VALIDITY). Additionally, all assessment tasks are assessed against a standardised marking guide (RELIABILITY).

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Exercise & Sports Science Australia. http://www.essa.org.au/  

Exercise & Sports Science Australia. (2021) ESSA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice. Retrieved from: https://www.essa.org.au/Public/Professional_Standards/ESSA_Code_of_Professional_Conduct___Ethical_Practice.aspx