Unit Outline

This practicum unit brings together core fundamental exercise and sports science knowledge and skills and requires students to apply them to work in supervised practice. The unit aims to provide learning experiences that prepare students for practice. The focus is on professional experiential learning, including application of core theoretical knowledge and threshold concepts related to exercise science. Students further develop and apply practical skills around health-related fitness for the apparently healthy population. They are empowered to successfully enter the workforce with the development of skills in writing curriculum vitae, job applications, and the development of effective interview and self-promotion strategies. Self-reflection on performance and assessment of performance against the key criteria required for recognition as an Accredited Exercise Scientist, are essential.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Demonstrate professionalism in various communication modes in Exercise & Sports Science practice settings.
2.	Apply ethical and legal decision-making principles to prioritise client safety in Exercise & Sports Science practice settings.
3.	Demonstrate safe and effective Exercise & Sports Science practice to facilitate client’s health and performance goals.
4.	Reflect on and evaluate own practicum performance to plan for future professional development needs as a graduate Accredited Exercise Scientist.
5.	Create a professional portfolio of evidence that demonstrates competency to practice using the key criteria required for recognition as an Accredited Exercise Scientist.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CXA233 and CXA234 and CXA203 and ESP368

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Work has been completed to improve the clarity of Assessment Task information, improving the consistency of information provided across learning materials, and the provision of Academic support for students during the Internal Placement.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Portfolio: Part 1 - Competency Evidence & Portfolio: Part 2 - Reflection and Professional Development Plan	See the MyLO site for the due date	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Case Report	Week 11	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Practicum: Part 1 - Competency Assessment & Part 2 - Record of Engagement Form	Refer to Assessment Description	0 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Portfolio: Part 1 - Competency Evidence & Portfolio: Part 2 - Reflection and Professional Development Plan

Task Description:

Part 1 – Competency Evidence [25%]

This task requires you to collate evidence that demonstrates how you have met the key criteria required for recognition as an Accredited Exercise Scientist.

You are required to select evidence that validates your achievement of competency across all areas of exercise science practice, make links to the Professional Attributes from the AES Professional Standards, and demonstrate how you have met ILO’s 1-4.
This is to be completed through Pebble Pad

Part 2 – (A) Performance Reflection and (B) Professional Development Plan [25%]

Part 2 (A) Performance Reflection
At regular intervals throughout placement, you are required to critically reflect on your performance for both internal UTAS and external industry practicum using the ESSA Professional Attributes (within the Professional Standards) for an accredited Exercise Scientist. This is to be completed through Pebble Pad

Part 2 – (B) Professional Development Plan
From your reflections and supervisor feedback, you are to identify areas of strength as well as areas that require further improvement and create a professional development plan that articulates how you will manage your ongoing learning as you transition into the workforce. This is to be completed through Pebble Pad.

Task Length:

Part 1: 800 words, mixed media submissions Part 2:1200 words on provided template

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Part 1: Provide a range of evidence to exemplify attainment of ESSA Exercise Science professional attributes and Competency Criteria.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
2	Part 1: Provide a range of evidence that demonstrates practice within the ESSA Scope of Practice for an accredited Exercise Scientist.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
3	Part 1: Evidence provided is engaging and professionally presented, suitable for an employment portfolio.	LO1, LO5
4	Part 2: Evaluate own practice using structured self-reflection as a mechanism to improve performance and operate within individual and professional strengths and limitations.	LO1, LO4, LO5
5	Part 2: Act on constructive feedback from peers, clinical supervisors and academics.	LO1, LO3, LO5
6	Part 2: Identify performance gaps to design appropriate future learning goals and strategies in a plan for ongoing professional development.	LO1, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Case Report

Task Description:

The assessment task requires student to develop and record 5–8-minute video presentation of a case report based on client from your practicum. The video case report must involve undertaking a client consultation to set health and performance goals, and complete health and performance pre-post testing. The video case report must outline your approach to client communication and depict how you applied an evidence-based decision-making approach to the design of an intervention/treatment program for supporting client health behaviour change.

Task Length:

8 minute recorded video presentation

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate professionalism in verbal and written communication to plan, and deliver exercise, and to support health behaviour change.	LO1, LO3, LO4
2	Use a structured decision-making process to devise, and revise values-centred goals for a client.	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Use evidence-based practice to inform clinical decision making to complete health and performance testing and implement a safe and effective program for changing health behaviour.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Critically reflect on practice to ensure actions are appropriate, timely, in scope and incorporate principles of risk identification and mitigation.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Practicum: Part 1 - Competency Assessment & Part 2 - Record of Engagement Form

Task Description:

Practicum Overview:
Assessment Task (Parts 1 and 2) is pass/fail (unit Hurdle Tasks) to ensure quality completion of practicum competency evidence and to ensure the student’s safety to practice in the community.

Students will undertake (1) one Internal/UTAS and (2) one or two External/Industry placements. Minimum of 140 hours practicum must be accrued during appropriate activities related to Exercise Science Professional Standards. This is to ensure quality completion of practicum competency evidence and to ensure the student’s safety to practice in the community.

• Internal UTAS practicum runs from Week 2 to Week 8
• External Industry practicum runs from Week 2 to Week 13

Practicum Part 1 - Competency Assessment.

There are 2 sections for Part 1 for each practicum placement.

Part 1 Section A: PEP Learning Contract [Hurdle Task]
ONE PEP Learning Contract to be submitted for each site placement including Internal UTAS and External Industry placements. The aim is to ensure shared agreement with site supervisors on goals and placement schedule.

Part 1 Section B: Competency Assessment [Hurdle Task]
During each practicum placement, formal assessments of competency are completed by Supervisors using an online form, at both the mid-point (Interim Assessments) and completion (Final Assessment) of the placement. Internal UTAS place ment is assessed by qualified UTAS unit staff and external industry placement are assessed by qualified Industry practicum supervisors.

Part 2: ESSA Student Record of Engagement Forms (RoE) [Hurdle Task]

An ESSA Student Record of Engagement form for each practicum site will summarise the activities and hours in required categories (exercise assessment, prescription and delivery), and includes a reflection on how the learning experiences contributed to your development against the Professional Attributes required for accreditation for as an Exercise Scientist. Your daily hours/task logging, competency evidence, and your reflection tasks are designed to help you write your record of engagement forms.

Task Length:

Part 1: Completed by Site Supervisor online via competency assessment template Part 2: Completed on ESSA template

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Part 1: Demonstrate safe and effective practice to enhance clients' exercise and sports performance.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Part 1: Demonstrate awareness of own limitations and plan learning for ongoing professional development.	LO1, LO2, LO4
3	Part 1: Demonstrate professional workplace behaviour, including professional communication and ethical and legal decision making.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Part 2: Activities undertaken reflect the Exercise Science professional standards and Scope of Practice	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
5	Part 2: Describe client work and activities undertaken comprehensively, succinctly and logically, using appropriate discipline specific terminology.	LO1, LO2
6	Part 2: Reflect on the outcome of workplace situations in terms of what you learned about yourself and your ability to handle/complete a specific situation/skill	LO2, LO3, LO4
7	Part 2: Link activities and experiences to attainment of Professional Attributes from the AES Professional Standards	LO1, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

UTAS CXA327 Professional Experience in Exercise and Sport Science Student Guide – available via MyLo