Course Description
This applied course builds on CCS certificate courses and provides opportunities for students to enhance their skills in a selected site. 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 seasoned 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 are 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 dynamic and informed by and respond to practice experiences. Learning from previous practicums, classwork and work experiences are reflected in current philosophy and practices.
- Experience in the field setting allows learners to demonstrate the acquision of new knowledge 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 experiences with peers and mentors maximizes field-based learning experiences.
Learning Activities
- On-Site Practice and Guidance
- Seminar (small group discussion, facilitated by the instructor)
- Online component: Small group discussion forum, journal or blog
Means of Assessment
This course uses the mastery grading system and will conform to Douglas College Evaluation Policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Self-assessment and reflection
- Site host and college instructor interview
- Demonstration of skills
- Oral and written presentations
Learning Outcomes
Practice at an application level, i.e. conceptualizes; explains (interprets, infers, and reasons); interprets patterns & themes within contexts; demonstrates creatively; practices with minimal supervision with occasional prompting guidance by the site supervisor and/or college instructor, in the following domains:
- Personal Accountability
- Practice ethically and accurately, assessing the quality of own performance
- Accurately evaluate own practice
- Pursue and update a professional development plan
- Apply personal and professional values to ethical practice
- Interpersonal Effectiveness & Leadership
- Communicate in a caring, respectful and clear manner
- Effectively communicate for various purposes and audiences
- Facilitate caring respectful interpersonal relationships
- Demonstrate individual leadership as a team member
- 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
- Technical Competence
- Use a variety of strategies to contribute to self-reliance, interdependence and quality of life
- Promote wellness of self, others and community
- Build community presence, participation and contribution
- Strategically facilitate learning
- Advocate for individual rights and self-determination
- Promote the safety of self and others
Textbook Materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required texts or materials. A list of required materials is provided in the instructor’s course outline, which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.