Course Description
This applied course builds on semester 1 and 2 courses and provides opportunities for students to practice skills at 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 gude 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 adaption in response to their practice experience.
- Learning in a practicum setting provides opportunities to examine assumptions and to explore creative modes of inquiry that is not available in classroom settings.
- Field settings provide opportuniities 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 is effective in their work.
- A well-developed personal philosophy of practice is a cornerstone of competent human service practice. A personal philosphy 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 setting allows learners to demonstrate and enhance their abilities to problem solve, be flexible, think creatively, and take responsibility for their actions. Subsequent practica provide the learner opportunities to demonstrate increased skills and demonstrate a higher degree of initiative.
- Reflecting on and evaluating practicum experience with peers and mentors maximizes field-based learning experiences.
Learning Activities
Onsite field practice and guidance, and seminar.
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, prioitizes); identifies patterns and themes; takes initiative in some areas; compares and contrasts alternatives; practices with moderate supervision; practices with clustered guidance; personal accountability, in the following domains:
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
Interpersonal Effectiveness and Leadership
- Communicate in a caring, respectful, and clear manner
- Effectively communicate for various purposes and audiences
- Faciliate caring and respectful interpersonal relationships
- Demonstrate individual leadership as a team member
- Give and accept feedback
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
- Unders impact of enviroment and learner characterisits on student learning needs and considers possible implications when supporting an individual
Technical Competence
- Use a variety of strategies to contribute to self-reliance, interdependence and quality of life
- Use observation and recording techniques to understand individual learning needs
- Promote welnees of self, others, and community
- Build community presence, participation and contribution
- Strategically facilitate learning
- Advocate for individual rights and self determination
- Promote safety of self and others
- Demonstrate the ability to apply adaptions and modifications based on the learner's needs
- Demonstrate the use of prompts (introduction, implementation and fading)