Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit applies to guides working in all sectors of the tourism industry.
The following lists and statements identify how this unit may be applied in different workplaces, sectors and circumstances.
Marine environments/ecosystems may be:
marsh
reef
river estuarine
lagoon estuarine
beach
rock platform
mangrove.
Informal and formal research may include:
talking and listening to local experts and personalities
talking and listening to traditional owners
personal observation/exploration
watching TV, videos and films
listening to radio
browsing the web
reading newspapers, books and other references
membership of professional associations
undertaking formal study
community groups (e.g. historical societies).
All of the above represent key sources of information and opportunities to update knowledge.
The knowledge requirements for this unit will vary according to the area of specialisation and local workplace conditions. Knowledge should be tailored according to local needs.
This unit applies to guides working in all sectors of the tourism industry.
The following lists and statements identify how this unit may be applied in different workplaces, sectors and circumstances.
Marine environments/ecosystems may be:
marsh
reef
river estuarine
lagoon estuarine
beach
rock platform
mangrove.
Informal and formal research may include:
talking and listening to local experts and personalities
talking and listening to traditional owners
personal observation/exploration
watching TV, videos and films
listening to radio
browsing the web
reading newspapers, books and other references
membership of professional associations
undertaking formal study
community groups (e.g. historical societies).
All of the above represent key sources of information and opportunities to update knowledge.
The knowledge requirements for this unit will vary according to the area of specialisation and local workplace conditions. Knowledge should be tailored according to local needs.

Essential Knowledge and Skills to be Assessed
The following knowledge and skills must be assessed as part of this unit:
relationship between the guide's interpretation of knowledge and the quality of the customer experience
research techniques for acquiring and maintaining current knowledge of a specialised topic
sources of information on the local marine environment
key marine environments of tourism interest within a local area and their general characteristics (e.g. reef, coastal, beach, estuarine) including fishing, types of boats and ships and their impact on the environment
key ecological terminology
key concepts of ecology including biotic and physical factors, populations, biodiversity and abundance, food web, community relations, life cycles, succession, zonation, carbon cycle, water cycle, energy flow and nutrient cycle
interrelationships between parts of the eco-system in a marine context
developmental processes related to the formation of different local marine environments and biogeography
major species of animals and plant life within the local marine environment including:
nature of the species and where it is found
roles of individual species within the ecosystem
characteristics
commonalities
interactions between species and with the environment
nutrition and life cycles
potentially hazardous marine organisms

identification techniques for flora and fauna
environmental influences that affect the local marine environment, including climate
nature of human impacts on the local marine environment, including positive and negative tourism impacts
management and catchment management regimes for local marine environments including relevant authorities and codes of practice
Australian Indigenous perspective on the local marine environment
specific safety and minimal impact issues for visitors to the local marine environment.
Linkages to Other Units
This unit must be assessed with the following unit. This unit describes the skills and knowledge that are essential to this unit of competence:
THTFTG06A Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities
This unit also underpins effective performance in all other guiding units and combined assessment and/or training with those units is strongly recommended to avoid an inappropriate focus on assessment of bodies of knowledge unrelated to the needs of customers.
Critical Aspects of Assessment
Evidence of the following is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
knowledge of marine environments as specified in the Evidence Guide and to a level of depth and familiarity sufficient to:
develop a coherent and interesting interpretation for customers
answer the typical questions asked by customers on the given topic

ability to source and update relevant information to meet differing customer needs and to incorporate this information in interpretive commentaries and activities.
Context of Assessment and Resource Implications
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of knowledge through the presentation of an interpretive commentary or activity within an operational and commercially realistic guiding environment (e.g. on a beach, in a boat)
interaction with and involvement of a customer group (of appropriate size and nature for the local workplace) with whom knowledge can be shared
presentation of activity or commentary on more than one topic and within more than one environment to ensure that knowledge and skills can be adapted to different guiding contexts.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods must be chosen to ensure that the application of knowledge to guiding and interpretive activities can be practically demonstrated. Methods must include assessment of knowledge as well as assessment of practical skills.
The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate using knowledge to deliver an interpretive commentary or activity
questioning of group members on their response to the candidate's breadth of knowledge and ability to deliver that knowledge in an interesting way
review of a research portfolio to assess the candidate's ability to research current and accurate information
oral and written questions to assess the way in which the research process has been used
oral or written questions to assess key knowledge detailed in the Evidence Guide
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Key Competencies in this Unit
Key Competencies are an integral part of all workplace competencies. The table below describes those applicable to this unit. Trainers and assessors should ensure that they are addressed in training and assessment.
Level 1 = Perform Level 2 = Administer and Manage Level 3 = Design and Evaluate
Key Competencies
Collecting, Organising and Analysing Information
For example:
Reviewing a new publication to access ideas for commentaries or interpretive activities (2)
Communicating Ideas and Information
For example:
Developing an activity for children to enhance understanding of marine animal behaviour (2)
Planning and Organising Activities
For example:
Developing an information reference and updating system (2)
Working with Others and in Teams
For example:
Discussing changing customer trends and interests with fellow guides (2)
Using Mathematical Ideas and Techniques
Not Applicable
Solving Problems
For example:
Resolving a situation where two sources provide conflicting information (1)
Using Technology
For example:
Using the Internet to access current information on a given topic or location (1)
Essential Knowledge and Skills to be Assessed
The following knowledge and skills must be assessed as part of this unit:
relationship between the guide's interpretation of knowledge and the quality of the customer experience
research techniques for acquiring and maintaining current knowledge of a specialised topic
sources of information on the local marine environment
key marine environments of tourism interest within a local area and their general characteristics (e.g. reef, coastal, beach, estuarine) including fishing, types of boats and ships and their impact on the environment
key ecological terminology
key concepts of ecology including biotic and physical factors, populations, biodiversity and abundance, food web, community relations, life cycles, succession, zonation, carbon cycle, water cycle, energy flow and nutrient cycle
interrelationships between parts of the eco-system in a marine context
developmental processes related to the formation of different local marine environments and biogeography
major species of animals and plant life within the local marine environment including:
nature of the species and where it is found
roles of individual species within the ecosystem
characteristics
commonalities
interactions between species and with the environment
nutrition and life cycles
potentially hazardous marine organisms

identification techniques for flora and fauna
environmental influences that affect the local marine environment, including climate
nature of human impacts on the local marine environment, including positive and negative tourism impacts
management and catchment management regimes for local marine environments including relevant authorities and codes of practice
Australian Indigenous perspective on the local marine environment
specific safety and minimal impact issues for visitors to the local marine environment.
Linkages to Other Units
This unit must be assessed with the following unit. This unit describes the skills and knowledge that are essential to this unit of competence:
THTFTG06A Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities
This unit also underpins effective performance in all other guiding units and combined assessment and/or training with those units is strongly recommended to avoid an inappropriate focus on assessment of bodies of knowledge unrelated to the needs of customers.
Critical Aspects of Assessment
Evidence of the following is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
knowledge of marine environments as specified in the Evidence Guide and to a level of depth and familiarity sufficient to:
develop a coherent and interesting interpretation for customers
answer the typical questions asked by customers on the given topic

ability to source and update relevant information to meet differing customer needs and to incorporate this information in interpretive commentaries and activities.
Context of Assessment and Resource Implications
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of knowledge through the presentation of an interpretive commentary or activity within an operational and commercially realistic guiding environment (e.g. on a beach, in a boat)
interaction with and involvement of a customer group (of appropriate size and nature for the local workplace) with whom knowledge can be shared
presentation of activity or commentary on more than one topic and within more than one environment to ensure that knowledge and skills can be adapted to different guiding contexts.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods must be chosen to ensure that the application of knowledge to guiding and interpretive activities can be practically demonstrated. Methods must include assessment of knowledge as well as assessment of practical skills.
The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate using knowledge to deliver an interpretive commentary or activity
questioning of group members on their response to the candidate's breadth of knowledge and ability to deliver that knowledge in an interesting way
review of a research portfolio to assess the candidate's ability to research current and accurate information
oral and written questions to assess the way in which the research process has been used
oral or written questions to assess key knowledge detailed in the Evidence Guide
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Key Competencies in this Unit
Key Competencies are an integral part of all workplace competencies. The table below describes those applicable to this unit. Trainers and assessors should ensure that they are addressed in training and assessment.
Level 1 = Perform Level 2 = Administer and Manage Level 3 = Design and Evaluate
Key Competencies
Collecting, Organising and Analysing Information
For example:
Reviewing a new publication to access ideas for commentaries or interpretive activities (2)
Communicating Ideas and Information
For example:
Developing an activity for children to enhance understanding of marine animal behaviour (2)
Planning and Organising Activities
For example:
Developing an information reference and updating system (2)
Working with Others and in Teams
For example:
Discussing changing customer trends and interests with fellow guides (2)
Using Mathematical Ideas and Techniques
Not Applicable
Solving Problems
For example:
Resolving a situation where two sources provide conflicting information (1)
Using Technology
For example:
Using the Internet to access current information on a given topic or location (1)