Course Description
This applied course builds on first semester courses and provides opportunities for students to practice 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 is 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 experience.
- Learning in a practicum setting provides opportunities to examine assumptions and to explore creative modes of inquiy that is 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 practie knowledge from field eperiences.
- Observing, participating with, and receiving guidance from experiences practitioners is crucial for effective practice.
- Practitioners who regularly and accurately assess their performance and who set goals for their ongoing professional development is effective in their work.
- A well-developed personal philosophy is a cornerstone of competent human servie practice. A personal philosophy needs to be informed by and respond to practice experiences. Learning from practicum experience and class work are reflected in current philosophy and practices.
- Experience in the field settings allows learners to demonstrate and enhance their abilities to problem solve, be flexible, think creatively and take responsibility for their action. Subseqent practica provide the learner opportunities to demonstrate increased skills and demonstrate a higher degree of initiative.
- Reflecting on and evaluating practicum experiences with peers and mentors maximizes field-based learning experiences.
Learning Activities
Onsite field practice and guidance, and seminar discussions.
Means of Assessment
This course uses the mastery grading system and will conform to the Douglas College Evaluation Policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Self-assessment and reflection
- Mid-point and final interviews
- Demonstration of skills
- Oral and Written Presentations
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Practice at introductory competency level, (i.e., engages; explores (assists, understands, describes, categorizes, classifies, prioritizes); identifies patterns and themes; takes initative in some areas; compares and contrasts alternatives; practices with moderate supervision; practices with clustered guidance; personal accountability in the following domains:
1. Practice ethically and accurately, assessing the quality of own performance
- Accurately evaluate own practice
- 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, family, and community experiences
- Apply elements of critical thinking when problem solving
- Use theory to explain behaviour and guide actions
- Think creatively in response to individual needs
- Understand impact of environment and learner characteristics on student learning needs and considers possible implications when supporting an individual
4. Technical Competence
- Use a variety of strategies to contribute to self-reliance, interdependence, and quality of life
- Observe and consider the individual's learning style and traits
- Use observation and recording techniques to understand indivdual learning needs
- Promote wellness of self, others, and community
- Build community presence, participation, and contribution
- Stategically facilitate learning
- Advoate for individual rights and self determination
- Promote safety of self and others