Unit rationale, description and aim
Exercise Scientists are most effective when they understand the individuality of the broad demographic groups they will work with and the sociocultural factors governing who they are and what their goals may be. Crucial to the development of these skills is opportunities for exposure to individuals and groups whose experiences, values, culture and constraints differ from their own. Exercise Scientists need to appreciate the meaningful impact their practice can have on national and international communities given the personal, social and health outcomes that occur through sport and physical activity.
An exercise science community engagement (CE) experience is a transformational learning opportunity. It exposes students to new perspectives and helps build capacity within the student and their partner community. It challenges students to gain an enhanced understanding of their community and the people within it, driving the development of key qualities, such as empathy, critical to future practice. CE also provides opportunities for students to engage with the ACU Mission in an active and impactful way. The aim of this unit is to provide the foundational knowledge to prepare and plan a CE experience, the opportunity to engage with a partner community and then critically reflect and learn from the experience.
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.
Explain the principles and focus of community enga...
Learning Outcome 01
Identify the impact of community engagement practi...
Learning Outcome 02
Analyse the sociological determinants impacting th...
Learning Outcome 03
Assess community engagement experience through ref...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- What is community engagement and why is it important?
- Principles of community engagement and how it relates to the ACU Mission.
- Models of community engagement including Assets-based Community Development.
- Empathy - what is it and why is it important.
- The sociological determinants of health.
- Health in marginalised and disadvantaged communities.
- Sport for development and peace.
- Community engagement through Exercise Science: Impact on oneself and partner communities.
- Preparation for community engagement and reflective practice.
- Organising and participating in 25 hours of community engagement activities.
Assessment strategy and rationale
Assessments are designed to elicit and support the learnings, which occur before, during and after community engagement experiences. The ungraded hurdle tasks and Assessment 1 have been designed to ensure that students engage with the unit content, understand the ethical and legal frameworks surrounding community engagement experiences and meet milestones towards completion of their required community engagement experience. Assessments 2 and 3 are designed to facilitate critical reflection and leverage the transformative education experience that can come from their community engagement. Reflective skills will be scaffolded across assessments and class work to facilitate development of this important tool. To pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, pass hurdle tasks, and obtain a minimum mark of 50% for the unit.
Overview of assessments
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, pass hurdle tasks, and obtain a minimum mark of 50% for the unit.
Ungraded Hurdles* Community Engagement Complianc...
Ungraded Hurdles*
Community Engagement Compliance and Milestone Portfolio:
Pre-engagement requirements:
- Complete ACU Engagement Canvas module.
- Successfully apply for an approved Community Engagement Experience.
Community Engagement Commencement:
- Successfully commence an approved community engagement experience
Community Engagement Commencement:
- Successfully complete the requirements for an approved community engagement experience
*Ungraded
Hurdle
Assessment 1 Online Exam: Assess knowledge and...
Assessment 1
Online Exam:
Assess knowledge and ability to explain understanding of content delivered in weeks 1-4.
20%
Assessment 2 Pre/Peri Experience Reflective Assi...
Assessment 2
Pre/Peri Experience Reflective Assignment and Asset Mapping:
A pre/peri reflective assessment of their community engagement experience including a map of community assets.
30%
Assessment 3 Post Community Engagement Experienc...
Assessment 3
Post Community Engagement Experience Critical Reflection:
Based on 25 hours of community engagement experience, students will complete a critical reflection task.
50%
*Ungraded Hurdles: Students will have unlimited attempts to achieve the ungraded hurdle task requirements up until the published due dates.
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This is a community engaged learning unit delivered in multi-mode with both face-to-face, online and community engagement experience components. It is designed to provide students with a transformative educational opportunity through access to the knowledge, resources and preparatory requirements necessary for understanding, planning, completing and critically reflecting on a new community engagement experience. Direct active learning through structured online modules and classroom activities facilitate these outcomes alongside the 25 hours of new community engagement experience with an approved ACU partner organisation. This strategy allows students to meet the aims, learning outcomes and graduate capabilities associated with 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.