Course Description
This applied course provides opportunities for students to practice behaviour intervention skills in selected sites under supervision. Students will integrate and reflect upon their educational, personal, and professional experiences in practicum and seminar.
Course Content
The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:
- Learning from experience is a characteristic of exemplary practitioners. Practicum settings create opportunities for students to refine their skills of reflection and adaptation in response to their practice experiences.
- Learning in a practicum setting provides opportunities to examine assumptions and to explore creative modes of inquiry that are not available in classroom settings.
- Field settings provide opportunities to synthesize personal and classroom experiences and create openings for new learning. Learners gain both insight and practice knowledge from field experiences.
- Observing, participating with, and receiving guidance from experienced practitioners is crucial for effective practice.
- Practitioners who regularly and accurately assess their performance and who set goals for their ongoing professional development are effective in their work.
- A well-developed personal philosophy of practice is a cornerstone of competent human service practice. A personal philosophy needs to be informed by and respond to practice experiences. Learning from previous practica and class work are reflected in current philosophy and practices.
- Experience in the field setting allows learners to demonstrate and enhance their abilities to problem solve, be flexible, think creatively and take responsibility for their actions. Advanced practica provide the learner opportunities to demonstrate increased skills initiative.
- Reflecting on and evaluating practicum with peers and mentors maximizes field based learning experiences.
Means of Assessment
This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Self-Assessment
- Mid-Point and Final Evaluations
- Demonstration of Field Readiness
This is a mastery course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Personal Accountability
- Practice ethically, and accurately assesses the quality of own performance.
- Pursue a professional development plan
- Apply personal and professional values to ethical practice
2. Interpersonal Effectiveness and Leadership
- Communicate in a caring, respectful and clear manner
- Effectively communicate for various purposes and audiences
- Facilitate caring and respectful interpersonal relationships
- Demonstrate individual leadership as a team member
3. Theoretical Reasoning
- Think critically to construct plausible explanations for individual and family
- Apply elements of critical thinking when problem solving
- Use theory to explain behaviour and guide actions
- Think creatively in response to individual needs
4. Technical Competence
- Use a variety of strategies to contribute to self-reliance, interdependence and quality of life
- Promote the wellness of self and others
- Strategically facilitates learning
- Advocate for individual rights and self determination
- Promote the safety of self and others