• Before you enrol
• Observational skills
• Communication skills
• Motor skills
• Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
• Behavioural and social skills
• Sustainable Performance

Committed to equity and diversity

At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University Community.

Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent requirements of the program.

The inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of the degree.

This Statement provides realistic information about these requirements, so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them before you enrol in the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies.

Skills you need

The Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies has inherent academic requirements in six Categories:

• Observational skills
• Communication skills
• Motor skills
• Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
• Behavioural and social skills
• Sustainable Performance

Before you enrol

If you intend to enrol in a Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies at UniSC, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.

If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or School of Education and Tertiary Access staff.

Reasonable adjustments

Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies if the adjustment is:

• logistically reasonable
• likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner.

Support and further information are available from UniSC

• Ability Advisers

• Career Advisers

• Relevant academic contacts

Observational Skills

The capacity to demonstrate visual and aural observation skills.

These skills facilitate safe and effective supervision of children, young people and adults in a range of educational and community settings. This is achieved by utilising visual, aural and other skills, with reasonable adjustments as required and as indicated below. Safe and effective supervision of children and young people is the major focus.

Students must demonstrate:

• sufficient visual and aural acuity to perform the required range of skills
• sufficient visual and aural acuity to monitor children and young people's behaviour and safety

Justification

These observational skills are inherent requirements of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because:

• They are necessary to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks and assessments.
• Monitoring and assessment through visual observation and aural perception are fundamental to safe and effective practice.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments to address the effects of a hearing impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise effective and timely reception of, and response to, auditory inputs.

Reasonable adjustments to address the effects of vision impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise care or safety.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• Monitor program participant’s safety and well-being in indoor and outdoor settings and engage in activities requiring monitoring and evaluation at both near and far distances
• negotiate unfamiliar settings effectively
• manipulate a range of resources
• monitor program participant's behaviour, safety, health and wellbeing

Communication Skills

The capacity to demonstrate effective communication in English is an essential requirement.

This includes the following communication categories:

• verbal communication skills
• aural communication skills
• written communication skills
• nonverbal communication skills

Verbal communication skills

Students must demonstrate the following verbal skills with or without reasonable adjustments (as indicated below):

• effective verbal communication at formal and informal levels in tutorials, with peers and lecturers/tutors in small and large groups
• the ability to provide clear instructions and presentation of ideas to individuals and large groups relevant to the learning context
• the capacity to use verbal language to give directions in a range of different social situations with children and adults during professional and field experience
• the ability to communicate effectively with diverse linguistic and cultural groups and individuals across a range of social contexts
• the capacity to use a range of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that support verbal communication with individuals and small groups for learning

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because:

• Verbal communication is the primary medium of communication in an educational setting.
• Timely, accurate, clear and effective delivery of information provides clear instruction and initiation of learning and ensures safe learning environments.
• Interactivity of communication is fundamental to the educational process.
• Adequate verbal communication is essential in developing and maintaining effective relationships with all program stakeholders.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable verbal communication with clarity and accuracy that facilitates effective communication and safety.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• communicate in English effectively and appropriately in tutorials, lectures and on professional and field experience
• demonstrate knowledge and use of ICT such as data projectors, computers and DVDs to support oral communication for tutorial presentations and small group presentation on field experience

Aural communication skills

Competent aural communication is required to effectively access course content and to be responsive to the demands of professional and field experience.

Students must demonstrate the following aural skills with or without reasonable adjustments (as indicated below):

• sufficient aural function to perform and comprehend the required range of tasks; including making adjustments to learning in a timely fashion; feedback; and assess safety of the environment
• active listening in tutorials and lectures with tutors, lecturers and peers and during field experience with families and children
• appropriate use of ICT that support aural communication with individuals and small groups for learning.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies which requires that students can:

• use effective aural communication formally and informally in a range of different social situations with children and adults
• be active and empathetic listeners in diverse social and linguistic contexts
• use ICT to support aural communication
• Demonstrate enough aural ability to gather information and accurately feedback and monitor learners consistently and accurately whilst on professional and field experience

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to facilitate effective planning, delivery, reporting, evaluating and synthesising of information in both academic and educational settings.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• demonstrate knowledge and use of ICT that rely on effective aural communication for tutorial presentations and small group presentation on field experience
• respond effectively to children, young people and adults, demonstrating empathy towards them and active listening to what is being communicated

Written communication skills

Effective written communication in English is required to effectively access course content and participate in professional and field experience.

Students must demonstrate the following writing skills with or without reasonable adjustments (as indicated below):

• the capacity to construct and model coherent written communication appropriate to the circumstance

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because the program requires that students can:

• construct a range of written assignments to ethical and academic standards to convey knowledge, understanding and skills of relevant content and pedagogy
• demonstrate enough aural ability to gather information and accurately feedback and monitor students consistently and accurately whilst on field experience

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to facilitate effective planning, delivery, reporting, evaluating and synthesising of information in both academic and educational settings.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• construct written assignments that comply with academic standards
• convey information in a written form effectively to families or other staff in the field setting

Nonverbal communication skills

Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to education and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic, honest and non-judgemental.

Students must demonstrate the following non-verbal skills with or without reasonable adjustments (as indicated below):

• the capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues and gestures
• consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviour
• sensitivity to individual differences

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because:

• The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport in academic and professional relationships.
• Displaying appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, body movements and gestures promotes the trust and respect necessary to develop effective professional relationships.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of, or appropriate response to, effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• recognise non-verbal cues and respond appropriately in tutorials and seminars
• recognise non-verbal cues and respond appropriately in professional and field experience settings
• display appropriate non-verbal gestures in field experience settings

Motor Skills

The capacity to demonstrate performance, coordination and prioritisation of care is required using:

• Gross motor skills
• Fine motor skills

Gross motor skills

Tasks that involve gross motor skills include sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting and bending. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely, with or without reasonable adjustments as indicated below, in order to reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because participation in physical activities and movement is required to function effectively in community, outdoor environments and educational settings. Students must demonstrate the ability to move and perform gross motor function within the scope of practice.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others and a capacity to provide appropriate education and care.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• set up safe learning environments with resources and equipment
• safely retrieve, move and use large pieces of equipment

Fine motor skills

Sufficient fine motor skills are necessary to perform, coordinate and prioritise education and care. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various objects.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the program in the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely, with or without reasonable adjustments, to reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others and a capacity to provide appropriate education and care.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• record, observe, document, and clearly model the use of equipment
• manipulate resources during learning activities
• use ICT equipment for teaching and learning

Behavioural and Social skills

 The capacity to demonstrate:

• Ethical behaviour
• Interpersonal engagement
• Behavioural stability

Ethical behaviour

Students need to comply with, and are governed by, quality and professional standards, where they are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional ethical behaviour in all contexts.

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because compliance with the codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage. This ensures that the physical, psychological, emotional or spiritual well being of the individual is not placed at risk.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must comply with standards and maintain ethical behaviour.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• demonstrate respect for the diversity of family and community values and practices within academic, professional and field experience settings
• comply with privacy and confidentiality requirements in academic and field experience settings
• demonstrate honesty and integrity in academic, professional and field experience settings

Interpersonal engagement

Interpersonal engagement is essential to work effectively and sensitively and to build relationships in community and educational settings.

Students must demonstrate, with or without reasonable adjustments:

• the ability to work effectively, sensitively and confidentially with children, young people and adults including parents/carers
• the ability to create rapport with peers, academic and professional staff conducive to effective working relationships
• inter-cultural competence, sensitivity and willingness to work with individual children, young people, adults colleagues and the wider education community in a complex and diverse Australian society

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because the program requires effective, sensitive and confidential engagement with students, clients and work colleagues and the ability to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and ability in various context.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable appropriate levels of interpersonal engagement and behaviour.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• participate in a respectful and culturally competent manner in tutorial discussion
• collaborate, modify and reflect on your teaching during professional and field experience in response to student needs and supervisor feedback
• interact with mutual respect, equity and dignity towards others

Behavioural stability

Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in educational settings.

Students must demonstrate, with or without reasonable adjustments:

• behavioural stability to work constructively in diverse and challenging academic and educational field environments
• consistency in responding appropriately to children, young people and families’ needs in stressful and challenging situations

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable environments. Students will be exposed to complex, stressful situations and will be required to have behavioural stability to manage these events objectively and professionally.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of, or appropriate response to, effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• respond appropriately to constructive feedback
• cope with own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with individuals in community and educational settings

Intellectual – Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

The capacity to demonstrate:

• Knowledge and cognitive skills
• Literacy (language) skills
• Numeracy skills
• Information and communication technology skills
• Legal knowledge

Knowledge and cognitive skills

Consistent and effective knowledge and cognitive skills are required to provide safe, professional and competent practice.

Students must demonstrate with or without reasonable adjustments as shown below:

• the capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information
• the ability to process information relevant to practice
• the ability to integrate, reflect on and implement theoretical knowledge in tutorials and field experience settings

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because delivery of quality program relies on the understanding and application of theory in practice.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must support the student’s ability to acquire, analyse and apply knowledge.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items
• identify and apply knowledge of policy and procedures during professional and field experience settings

Literacy (language) skills

Competent English language and literacy skills are essential for professional and effective delivery of teaching content.

Students must demonstrate with or without reasonable adjustment as shown below:

• the ability to accurately acquire information and convey appropriate messages
• ability to read and comprehend a range of texts for teaching and learning purposes
• the capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because:

• The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey information is fundamental to teaching and learning.
• The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for effective preparation and teaching practice.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• convey a spoken message using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech
• competently construct and share a range of texts including digital, written, and visual texts in a range of social contexts

Numeracy skills

Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for effective delivery of teaching content.

Students must interpret and correctly apply data, measurements and numerical criteria in a range of contexts, with or without reasonable adjustments as shown below.

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because:

• Competent application of numeracy skills is fundamental for effective delivery of programs

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable the demonstration of effective numeracy skills.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• demonstrate competency in applying basic mathematics knowledge and skills in everyday life and in academic tasks
• demonstrate effective use of numeracy skills in matters related to student learning
• apply numeracy skills to interpret and solve problems in a range of educational and academic contexts

Information and communication technologies (ICT) skills

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are processes and tools that are fundamental to accessing course content and pedagogical practice.

Students must demonstrate knowledge of, and confidence in, the use of ICT in academic and professional contexts, with or without reasonable adjustments.

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because use of ICT is necessary to provide an effective teaching and learning environment consistent with current pedagogy.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable the student to demonstrate a capacity to comprehend, interpret and apply ICT.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• utilise appropriate ICT to communicate with peers and lecturers and to gather information in accomplishing academic tasks
• use ICT for accurate, responsive and diligent reports, record keeping, program presentation material, assessment and evaluations
• use written texts including SMS and email professionally at university and during professional experience

Legal knowledge

Students must demonstrate knowledge and compliance with Australian law and standards relevant to persons working with children, young people and their families.

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because:

• knowledge, understanding, and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to professional and field experience in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
• compliance with these professional regulations and the Australian Law ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• comply with relevant child protection and safety legislation
• comply with relevant Work Health and Safety legislation
• adhere to requirements of informed consent, privacy and confidentiality with organisational, family and child information in academic and education settings

Sustained Performance

The capacity to demonstrate the required physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level over appropriate time frames to meet the course and program outcomes.

Students must demonstrate the following with or without reasonable adjustments as shown below:

• consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete a specific task in a timely manner
• the ability to perform all required activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately
• the capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of academic or field experience

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies because:

• Sufficient physical and mental endurance is an essential requirement needed to perform multiple tasks in varying periods of time to provide safe and effective participation in all teaching, field, and professional experience activities.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable sustained and consistent performance over a given period.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• prepare for and participate in tutorials, lectures and professional experience
• provide consistent supervision, education/instruction and care to program participants over a negotiated time frame
• perform multiple tasks simultaneously whilst supervising the safety and care of program participants