Overview
In this unit, you will develop professional skills, knowledge, and competencies to successfully facilitate groups. You will learn how to plan, deliver, and evaluate group programs suitable for adults. You will learn ethical and inclusive approaches to group facilitation. These foundational skills in group facilitation will support the creation of well-structured group environments which foster adult learning.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Unit and Teacher Evaluation responses.
Students praised the combination of theory and practice in group facilitation in this unit.
Continue the focus on using a sound theoretical knowledge to support the practical implementation of group facilitation in the unit.
Feedback from Student Unit and Teacher Evaluation responses.
It was requested that recordings of group facilitation sessions be included to supplement the Moodle workbooks, role modeling group facilitation by the unit coordinator and guest lecturer, and online fortnightly workshops.
The Unit Coordinator has explored this possibility and approached previous students to seek permission to use their videos as examples for future students. However this was not possible given that the videos include people external to the university who were understandably not comfortable giving permission for us to use their video. The course teaching team will explore other possibilities.
Feedback from Student Unit and Teacher Evaluation responses.
Many students found the content, layout and focus of the material supported their learning. it was requested that the Moodle book/PDF booklet to be the layout for each unit topic.
The Unit will continue to use well researched and structured workbooks. The Unit Coordinator will provide a short recorded tutorial on how students can create their own PDF booklet from the online Moodle book. The Unit Coordinator will translate the two sections of unit material not in Moodle booklets into Moodle booklets.
Feedback from Student Unit and Teacher Evaluation responses.
For Assessment 3, some students wanted longer than 45 minutes for running their group.
The Unit Coordinator will further highlight through the Welcome and Assessment instruction videos how adhering to running a group in the allotted assessment time is a professional skill valued in environments outside of study.
- Design a group program
- Deliver a group program
- Evaluate group program design and delivery.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 40% | |||
| 3 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 20% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||
| 2 - Communication | |||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||
| 4 - Research | |||
| 5 - Self-management | |||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||
| 7 - Leadership | |||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 40% | ||||||||
| 3 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 20% | ||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
d.every@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to group facilitation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
An overview of positive psychology
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Workshop (online on Zoom): Week 2 Thursday 18 March 2021 6:30-8pm AEDT
Module/Topic
Principles of adult learning
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Workshop (online on Zoom): Week 3 Thursday 25 March 2021 6.30-8pm AEDT
Module/Topic
Principles of group cohesion
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Workshop (online on Zoom): Week 4 Thursday 1 April 2020 6:30-8pm AEDT
Module/Topic
Theories of group development
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Values and ethics in group facilitation
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Group facilitation: planning
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Group facilitation: beginnings
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Group facilitation: endings
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Diversity in groups
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Workshop (online on Zoom): Week 10 Thursday 20 May 2021 6:30-7.30pm AEST
Module/Topic
Challenges in group facilitation
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Reflective practice
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
There are no examinations for this unit.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
There are no examinations for this unit.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
For this assessment you will write a group facilitation program for delivering a positive psychology activity. The group session is 45 minutes. Your program will be written as though another facilitator will run your program and will need facilitation directions for all elements of the program (introduction of self, program and learning outcomes; an icebreaker; a positive psychology activity; an ending).
Detailed information on what to include for each element in your facilitation program is provided in the unit. Support for planning a group and writing a group program is provided throughout the Unit content, including through activities in the workshops on Zoom.
Week 5 Tuesday (6 Apr 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 6 Monday (19 Apr 2021)
Your work will be assessed on the quality of:
- The elements of your program for connecting the group, enhancing wellbeing and transferring learning
- Design and structure for supporting adult learning and group experience
- Facilitation directions
- Supporting materials: PowerPoint slides, handout and feedback evaluation form
You must obtain a minimum grade of 50% in this assessment in order to pass the Unit.
- Design a group program
- Evaluate group program design and delivery.
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
2 Practical Assessment
For this assessment you will deliver one part of your program (the positive psychology activity) to a group of students in this unit. (Groups will be set up by the Unit Coordinator in the first week of term)
You will use Zoom to deliver the activity online at a time that you have organised with your group. You will submit a video recording from Zoom of the session.
The session length is a minimum of 12 minutes and a maximum of 15 minutes. Appropriate timing is included in your marking rubric as a marking criteria.
Detailed information on this assessment is set out in the Unit Assessment Guide.Week 8 Monday (3 May 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Monday (17 May 2021)
Your work will be assessed on:
- Preparation
- Delivery of all essential program elements in the beginning, middle and ending of the session
- Quality of communication
- Timing
You must obtain a minimum grade of 50% in this assessment in order to pass the Unit.
- Design a group program
- Deliver a group program
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
3 Reflective Practice Assignment
For Assessment 3 you are required to write a short reflection on your group facilitation experience. Your reflection will include three (3) sections:
- One aspect of the group facilitation that you felt went particularly well.
- One aspect of the group facilitation that you felt did not go to plan/was challenging/unexpected.
-
Outline how you will address this challenge in future group facilitation, either through changing your practice and/or developing new skills
The word count for the reflection is 1050 to 1200 words (i.e. approximately 350 to 400 words for each section)
Detailed information on this assessment is set out in the Unit Assessment Guide.
You need to obtain a 50% minimum grade in this assessment in order to pass this unit.
Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Monday (14 June 2021)
Your work will be assessed on:
- The depth and quality of the reflection and evaluation, including accurate use of observation and evaluation forms
- The development of clear, achievable and relevant future steps for improvement
- Quality of literacy and written communication skills, including word limit
The maximum word count for this assessment is 1,200 words. Meeting the word count is included as a part of the marking criteria in your marking rubric on Moodle. See the Psychology Word Count Information document on Moodle for a rationale for using this type of word limit restriction.
You need to obtain a minimum grade of 50% for this assessment in order to pass this unit.
- Deliver a group program
- Evaluate group program design and delivery.
- Communication
- Research
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
