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Transforming Communication for Social ServicesLaajuus (5 cr)

Study unit code: SW00BW29

Credits

5 op

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- demonstrate oral, written, and mediated communication in English required for the social services field
- use language and referencing appropriately and effectively in written academic work
- identify and reflect on personal developmental needs in communication and develop realistic strategies for improvement
- reflect on the cultural competency required to communicate effectively with diverse groups

Enrollment

20.05.2024 - 26.05.2024

Timing

01.08.2024 - 31.12.2024

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5 op

Virtual proportion

2 op

Mode of delivery

60 % Contact teaching, 40 % Distance learning

Unit

Laurea Tikkurila, sote

Campus

Laurea Tikkurila

Teaching languages
  • English
Seats

20 - 35

Degree programmes
  • Degree Programme in Social Services (SWV), Laurea Tikkurila
Teachers
  • Lloyd Bethell
Teacher in charge

Lloyd Bethell

Groups
  • SWV224SN
    Degree Programme in Social Services, daytime studies, S24, Tikkurila

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- demonstrate oral, written, and mediated communication in English required for the social services field
- use language and referencing appropriately and effectively in written academic work
- identify and reflect on personal developmental needs in communication and develop realistic strategies for improvement
- reflect on the cultural competency required to communicate effectively with diverse groups

Teaching methods

A Canvas learning environment is used to support the implementation. There is an attendance requirement of 80% for this course. The attendance requirement needs to be fulfilled for this study unit to be completed successfully. The study unit includes working in pairs or groups. You will receive individual feedback for assignments from the teacher.
Artificial intelligence cannot be utilized for the written assignments on this course.

Location and time

Please refer to the Timetable Engine at https://lukkarit.laurea.fi/ for the schedule information. Laurea reserves the right to modify the timetable.

Learning materials and recommended literature

All learning materials are provided in Canvas or as handouts.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

According to the degree regulations (2024), "Students are entitled to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where, when and how the competence has been acquired. [...]. At Laurea, there are two different procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning: a) accreditation of prior learning (competence acquired in higher education studies at another institution) and b) demonstration of competence (competence acquired in other ways). The recognition and accreditation of prior learning is initiated by the student themselves. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence. The student is entitled to guidance for the recognition and accreditation of their competence." Further information in the student intranet.

You may also assess work-based learning as a way to acquire the competence needed. Read more in the student intranet.

Important dates

Based on the degree regulations (2024), the student accepted for the implementation is required to confirm his/her participation by showing activity at the start of the study in the following way:

In order to demonstrate activity, the student must be present at the first contact lesson or notify the teacher in charge of his/her absence to confirm his/her participation in the study. Registration will be rejected if the student does not report his/her absence at the start of the study or the reason for the absence cannot be considered justified. Another student can be taken in his place. The first contact lesson is 25.9.2024.

Please note the Management of Actual or Potential Aggression (MAPA) certification will also be provided on this course. All MAPA lessons need to be attended, otherwise the MAPA certificate cannot be granted. The lessons are : XXXXXX

Forms of internationality

This is a multicultural group so intercultural communication is an integral part of this course.

Students workload

A 5-credit course is equivalent to 135 hours of work.
An in-depth workload will be supplied in the Canvas workspace.
This course has 60 hours of contact lessons.

Content and scheduling

The contents include:
• Oral communication skills needed for the workplace: presentations skills; client interactions;
• Report and academic writing skills
• Management of Actual or Potential Aggression (MAPA)
• Field-specific vocabulary

This course is also integrated into the V1472 Basic Premises of Customer Work in the Social Care Sector. The Life Course essay assignment for the Basic Premises course will be evaluated as part of this course.

Further information for students

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.

The quality of the study unit implementation has been assessed and the self-evaluation report is available for example in Canvas or Teams.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

"Competence assessment is based on the descriptions of objectives in the curricula, and the level of competence is assessed according to the assessment criteria listed in the implementation plan for the studies" (Laurea degree regulations 2024).

The assignments or aspects evaluated on this study unit are:
- Essay in cooperation with the V1472 Basic Premises of Customer Work in the Social Care Sector course. Evaluated 0-5
- Presentation: Evaluated 0-5
- Attendance: Evaluated Pass/Fail
- MAPA training: Evaluated Pass/Fail
- Referencing test: Evaluated Pass/Fail

Deadlines are provided for the assignments. Feedback is given on all assignments. However, in the circumstances that the deadline is not met, no feedback will be provided for that assignment.

In this study unit the assessing of the competences will be done by using the criteria set for requirement level I.

“Students who have failed to demonstrate their competence in accordance with the approved level must supplement or retake their study attainment in a manner and schedule defined by the teacher of the study unit. If the student does not pass the assessment despite the opportunity to complete their study attainment, they must complete the study unit in question in full as specified by the teacher.” (Degree regulations 2024.)

All staff and students of Laurea are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which includes appropriate referencing. Familiarize yourself with the practices and, if needed, ask for more information. All study assignments are to be done as individual work unless otherwise instructed. Turnitin will be utilized for checked work for plagiarism. If plagiarism of over 10% is detected, then the assignment will be failed and will require resubmission. As stipulated in the first section of this implementation plan, artificial intelligence (AI) is not allowed to be used for written assignments on this study unit. If AI usage is detected in the written assignments, the assignments will be failed.

Evaluation criteria, fail (0)

One of the afore-mentioned assignments, requirements or learning objectives have not been completed successfully according to the evaluation or requirement criteria.

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- use essential professional concepts when explaining various work practices and situations
- search for information in different sources
- report

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- use professional concepts in a consistent manner when explaining various work practices and situations
- gather information and use their knowledge basis
- report in the agreed manner

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- use professional concepts extensively
- compare and choose relevant information
- report and communicate in a professional manner

Enrollment

22.05.2023 - 28.05.2023

Timing

27.09.2023 - 05.12.2023

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5 op

Virtual proportion

2 op

Mode of delivery

60 % Contact teaching, 40 % Distance learning

Unit

Laurea Tikkurila, sote

Campus

Laurea Tikkurila

Teaching languages
  • English
Seats

20 - 40

Degree programmes
  • Degree Programme in Social Services (SWV), Laurea Tikkurila
Teachers
  • Lloyd Bethell
Teacher in charge

Lloyd Bethell

Groups
  • SWV223SN
    Degree Programme in Social Services, daytime studies, S23, Tikkurila

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- demonstrate oral, written, and mediated communication in English required for the social services field
- use language and referencing appropriately and effectively in written academic work
- identify and reflect on personal developmental needs in communication and develop realistic strategies for improvement
- reflect on the cultural competency required to communicate effectively with diverse groups

Teaching methods

A Canvas learning environment is used to support the implementation, but it is important to take part in teaching and guidance on campus according to schedule. The study unit includes working in pairs or groups. You will receive individual feedback for assignments from the teacher.

Learning materials and recommended literature

All learning materials are provided in Canvas.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

All students are entitled to demonstrate their competence. The recognition and accreditation of prior competence is initiated by the students themselves. The competence is recognised and accredited by the teacher responsible for the studies or another person designated to the position. The assessment is carried out according to the same assessment criteria and, as a rule, same grading scale as that adopted for the corresponding study unit or module. The student is entitled to apply for accreditation of prior competence regardless of where, how and when the competence has been acquired. The student may also seek accreditation of competence to be acquired on the job as part of their degree (work-based learning). The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence and for providing sufficient information.
Suitable compensatory or supplementary tasks will be developed accordingly.

Important dates

According to the degree regulations (section 18) “students must be present in the first contact session or notify their teacher in charge if they cannot attend. If they fail to notify the teacher of their absence in the first contact session, their enrollment will be rejected. Another student in the queue may be enrolled in the study unit in the place of the absent student.” (Laurea degree regulations)

Forms of internationality

This is a multicultural group so intercultural communication is an integral part of this course.

Students workload

For a 5 credit course you are expected to do 135 hours of work.
An in-depth workload will be supplied in the Canvas workspace
There will be 44 hours of contact lessons

Content and scheduling

The contents include:
• Oral communication skills needed for the workplace: presentations skills; client interactions;
• Basics of Constructive communication (Nonviolent Communication) as a professional and personal communication method to facilitate empathetic encounters with clients as well self-empathy and self-development.
• Reflective written skills
• Report and academic writing skills
• Intercultural competences
• Management of Actual or Potential Aggression (MAPA)
• Group working skills
• Field-specific vocabulary

This course is also integrated into the V1472 Basic Premises of Customer Work in the Social Care Sector. The Life Course essay assignment for the Basic Premises course will be evaluated as part of this course.

Further information for students

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.
According to the degree regulations (section 18) "students must be present for the first contact teaching session, or they must notify the responsible teacher of their absence to confirm they intend to participate in studies, Alternatively, the teacher can specify a different manner for the student to confirm that they intend to participate in the studies. The completion of these measures can be required within a week of the studies having begun. The application of the aforementioned approach requires that the teacher notifies the students accepted to the study unit of the practice and that the practice is specifically mentioned in the study unit’s implementation plan.

If the student has a justified reason for not attending the first contact teaching session or for not notifying the teacher of their intention to be involved in studies in the manner required by the teacher, the student must contact the responsible teacher to agree on participation in the studies. Their registration for the study unit will be rejected, of the student does not notify the teacher of being absent from the first contact teaching session or the reason for their absence cannot be considered justified, Another student who is in line for the study unit can be selected in their place."

The quality of the study unit implementation has been assessed and the self-evaluation report is available in Canvas.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

A detailed evaluation criteria can be found from Canvas.
A student should be able to
The student is able to
- demonstrate oral, written, and mediated communication in English required for the social services field
- use language and referencing appropriately and effectively in written academic work
- identify and reflect on personal developmental needs in communication and develop realistic strategies for improvement
- reflect on the cultural competency required to communicate effectively with diverse groups

There is an attendance criteria of 80% of the contact lessons.
All assignments and attendance criteria need to be met and completed successfully to pass the course.
Personal feedback will be given on the written assignments and the oral demonstration. Deadlines have been stipulated in the assignments. No feedback will be given for assignments returned late.

All written assignments will be checked for plagiarism. If plagiarism is detected, the report will be failed and will need to be resubmitted. The requirements for assignment returns can be found in the degree regulations.