The Professional Practice and Communication Skills of a Speech Pathologist (SPCH1102)

Course overview

This course provides students with an introduction to the speech pathology profession and includes topics relating to professional conduct and communication, ethics, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, self-reflection and lifelong learning, the principles of cultural and linguistic responsiveness, person centredness and inter-professionalism. Practical activities and field work learning activities are included.

In SPCH1102,ﾠstudents will begin their journey to becoming practising speech pathologists. This foundation-level course provides students with an introduction to the speech pathology profession. SPCH1102ﾠis divided into two modules: (1) The role of a speech pathologist; and (2) The application of person- and family-centred care in speech pathology practice. Learning activities will explore the professional role, conduct, and communication skills of a speech pathologist, with a focus on self-reflection and lifelong learning,ﾠcultural and linguistic responsiveness, person- and family-centred care, and interprofessional practice. ﾠThis course introduces students to Speech Pathology Australia'sﾠProfessional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australiaﾠ(2020) and Speech Pathology Australia'sﾠCode of Ethicsﾠ(2020).

In this course, students will independently engage in online learning activities while having authentic learning experiences with peers and teaching staff in weekly tutorials which involve participation in independent, small group and large-group inquiry-based learning activities. As part of this course, students will visit a speech pathology clinic for one (1) full day and complete an observation on the clinic's functioning, the role of speech pathologists, and some communication and/or swallowing disorders.

Given the structure of this course, students will have more flexibility to learn, but the associated workload is expected to be similar to a traditional course.

Course requirements

Restrictions

Restricted to Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Hons) students only

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

A detailed course outline will be made available on the SPCH1102 Blackboard Site. Please note that students are expected to attend all in-person learning activities (i.e., lectures, tutorials, workshops, clinical placement) as these involve critical learning opportunities. Due to the nature of tutorial activities, these will not be recorded.

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to introduce students to the professional field of speech pathology, and the professional skills to fulfil the role.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Reflective Practice Portfolio

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Reflection

Weight

20%

Due date

Reflection 1 (Formative - peer feedback): Due 1 pm 10/03/2025

Reflection 2 (Summative - 10%): Due 1 pm 24/03/2025

Reflection 3 (Formative - peer feedback): Due 1 pm 14/04/2025

Reflection 4 (Summative - 10%): Due 1 pm 12/05/2025

Other conditions

Peer assessment factor.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

All four (4) written reflections should be submitted to their ePortfolio (Anthology). Links for each submission are available in the 'Assessment' folder on the SPCH1102 Blackboard (learn.uq.edu.au) site.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extensions can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for an extension request via my.UQ > my.UQ Dashboard > my. Requests and provide evidence of circumstance, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission date. Further information regarding what constitutes an acceptable reason for an extension is listed on the my.UQ website: Applying for an extension - my.UQ - University of Queensland.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Speech Pathology Clinic Presentation

• Team or group-based
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Oral

Category

Presentation

Weight

20%

Due date

17/04/2025

Week 8

Task description

Submission guidelines

One member of each group is required to submit a group charter (i.e., a summary of the roles and responsibilities of each group member) and a preliminary version of their multimedia materials (e.g., ppt slides) prior to their presentation via Blackboard. The group charter and multimedia materials are due at 1 pm on Monday 14 April.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extensions can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for an extension request via my.UQ > my.UQ Dashboard > my. Requests  and provide evidence of circumstance, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission date. Further information regarding what constitutes an acceptable reason for an extension is listed on the my.UQ website: Applying for an extension - my.UQ - University of Queensland

*This assessment item is a group assessment. If a student is unable to attend a tutorial due to medical or other valid reasons, the group is still expected to complete

the task collectively during the tutorial and receive a group mark. The student who was absent should anticipate a similar individual task and is required to

submit an extension request via My Requests before the tutorial, and also email the course coordinator - Dr Felipe Retamal Walter (f.retamalwalter@uq.edu.au) in advance to

arrange for the assessment to be completed individually at a later date.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Introductory Clinical Placement Report

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

30%

Due date

26/05/2025 1:00 pm

Week 13

Task description

Submission guidelines

The assessment task will be submitted via Turnitin on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extensions can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for an extension request via my.UQ > my.UQ Dashboard > my. Requests and provide evidence of circumstance, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission date. Further information regarding what constitutes an acceptable reason for an extension is listed on the my.UQ website: Applying for an extension - my.UQ - University of Queensland.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

End of Semester Examination

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

30% MUST PASS

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Deferred exams can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - Deferring an exam. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request. 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Final marks falling between whole percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage. Tie-breaking will be conducted using the round half up method whereby half-way values are always rounded up, meaning, for example, that 89.5% and above will be rounded to 90% and 89.49% and below will be rounded down to 89%.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The end-of-semester examination is a 'must pass' assessment item for this course. You must pass this assessment item to pass the course overall, i.e., even if your final percentage mark is 55% or higher, the individual 'must pass' assessment item must also have been passed.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Resubmission/resit of assessment items

No resits or resubmissions of assessment items are available for this course.

Deferred exams

Students may be eligible for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. ﾠStudents should apply for a deferred exam if they are unable to attend tutorials to complete tutorial tasks due to exceptional or unavoidable circumstances. ﾠ

Further details, including how to apply, can be found at https://my.uq.edu.au/node/189/0#0. Please also email the Course Coordinators to advise of the deferred exam request.

Tutorial Attendance

Attendance at all tutorials is expected in order to achieve the learning objectives for this course. ﾠ

Introductory Clinical Placement Attendance

Attendance at the introductory clinical placement visit is mandatory in order to achieve the learning objectives for this course. ﾠ

Use of Generative AI in Assessments

Assessment tasks in this course evaluate students' abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Use of Generative AI in Student Placements

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot) are increasingly used in society. In terms of clinical placements, students are not permitted to use AI unless explicitly indicated by the provider that this use is permitted, and the parameters of use are clear. If these are not explicit, students are expected to consult with their practice educators before implementation to determine the acceptability of generative AI use and ensure that any potential risks associated with the intended use are addressed. AI is not a replacement of, or substitute for, professional reasoning or clinical skills. Human oversight is essential in its use, and to employ generative AI effectively and responsibly, students must understand how AI works, including its functions, data storage methods, and its impact on adherence to professional codes of conduct.

If used on placement, students are responsible for any outputs generated by AI, such as clinical notes and reports, and will be held accountable for the actions of any AI that is used in clinical practice. This responsibility includes ensuring adherence to the relevant profession's code of conduct and ethical standards. Transparency about generative AI use is essential in placement environments. Students must follow the relevant policies and procedures of their placement provider. Students are reminded that they need to demonstrate their ability to meet the inherent requirements of the relevant profession, operate within its scope of practice, and ensure that client/patient privacy and confidentiality are maintained at all times. Under no circumstances should identifiable clinical information be uploaded to open or external AI platforms, as it is unethical and irresponsible.

Submitting assessment in Blackboard and Turnitin

When an assessment is submitted throughﾠBlackboardﾠyou will receive a confirmation page as a digital receipt. This information will also be sent to your student e-mail account. Please ensure you keep this email.

When an assessment is submitted throughﾠTurnitinﾠyou will receive a confirmation page displaying “Submission Complete!” and can then proceed to download your digital receiptﾠfrom yourﾠAssignment inbox.ﾠIt is suggested that you save a copy of the receipt for your personal records.

Instructions on how to submit assignments through Blackboard and Turnitin are available at:ﾠhttps://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/learnuq-assessment. Please review this information so you understand how to successfully submit your assessment items.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

All learning materials (including tutorial information and UQ Extend online self-directed learning modules) will be linked to the SPCH1102 Blackboard site.

Students are encouraged to use the SPCH1102 Ed Discussion Board on the eLearning Blackboard site to post any questions about course content, tutorialﾠactivities, introductory placement, or assessment tasks. All student questions regarding assessment will be addressed on the relevant Discussion Board.

The Ed Discussion Board will be checked by the Course Coordinator at least once a week during the semester. In the interests of equity, students are asked to use this forum to post questions relating to course assessment, rather than emailing the course coordinator directly.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

• Working with Children Policy
• Fitness to Practise Policy
• Vaccinations and Immunisation Procedure
• Work Integrated Learning and Work Experience Policy

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

• Resources for Current Students