EDPRAC 621A - Practicum Introduction

1. EDPRAC 621A EDPRAC 621A February 2011 February 2011

2. Introductions Introductions Debora Lee Practicum Co-ordinator Barbara Watson Associate Teacher Liaison Bridgit Williams Student Support Liaison Laurice Joicey Practicum Administrator Contact details in Practicum handbooks

3. Whakatauki: Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu Although they are small, children are precious

4. EDPRAC 621 Conceptualising Practice Seven week practicum in two parts (A is 3 weeks and B is 4 weeks) A focus on competent communication, Building and maintaining relationships Understanding the EC context Integrating theory, research and practice

5. EDPRAC 621 A EDPRAC 621 A 28 February - 18 March 28 February - 18 March three week introductory practicum three week introductory practicum first practicum first practicum full time students started January 2011 full time students started January 2011 part time students started January 2010 part time students started January 2010 visited once by a university supervisor visited once by a university supervisor formative triadic assessment formative triadic assessment

6. A diverse group A diverse group All are graduates with a range of degrees All are graduates with a range of degrees Mature students with a wide range of life experiences Mature students with a wide range of life experiences Diverse cultural and language backgrounds Diverse cultural and language backgrounds A range of ECE experience A range of ECE experience Able to do this practicum in home centre Able to do this practicum in home centre Students encouraged to bring who they Students encouraged to bring who they are to the practicum are to the practicum

7. Preparation Preparation Students well briefed on expectations Student handbook familiarisation and initial tasks Range of support mechanisms Adult learners take responsibility Associate Teacher: Read the practicum handbook Have available relevant resources Get to know student

8. Course Work Course Work Students are engaged in studies in: Early Years Curriculum Learning Theories The Arts Te Ao M ori Part time students have only done 2 weeks of Arts and Te Ao M ori Students are expected to make links between their course work and practicum experiences See Pg 8 of handbook

9. Possible Outcomes Possible Outcomes Pass - learning achieved for all learning outcomes, if any LOs are not met the practicum result is a fail Pass - learning achieved for all learning outcomes, if any LOs are not met the practicum result is a fail Fail Fail Provisional pass (dependent on subsequent passing of language course or assessment) all LOs must be met (apart from concern about language). A provisional pass must be confirmed with Lynne Anderson Provisional pass (dependent on subsequent passing of language course or assessment) all LOs must be met (apart from concern about language). A provisional pass must be confirmed with Lynne Anderson

10. Role of Associate Teacher Role of Associate Teacher Provide opportunities for students to: Provide opportunities for students to: refine practical experience by engaging with refine practical experience by engaging with children, teachers and families children, teachers and families construct new learning, knowledge and construct new learning, knowledge and understanding understanding try out ideas and theories to test and modify them try out ideas and theories to test and modify them in practice in practice

11. Role of Associate Teacher Role of Associate Teacher Discuss student responsibilities and participation/contributions Discuss student responsibilities and participation/contributions Induct student into centres policies and programme Induct student into centres policies and programme Observe students teaching with reference to the learning Observe students teaching with reference to the learning outcomes outcomes Provide support, encouragement and challenge Provide support, encouragement and challenge Provide regular, specific verbal and written feedback Provide regular, specific verbal and written feedback Model and discuss own assessment, planning, teaching, Model and discuss own assessment, planning, teaching, evaluating and reflecting processes and practice evaluating and reflecting processes and practice Monitor students progress carefully Monitor students progress carefully Discuss any concerns with student and university supervisor Discuss any concerns with student and university supervisor as soon as they arise as soon as they arise contribute to the triadic assessment process contribute to the triadic assessment process complete weekly reports and final report. Return final report to practicum office complete weekly reports and final report. Return final report to practicum office See handbook (pp. 19-20) for student and US responsibilities See handbook (pp. 19-20) for student and US responsibilities

12. The triadic relationship The triadic relationship The relationship between the student, the The relationship between the student, the Associate Teacher and the University Associate Teacher and the University Supervisor is designed to facilitate the Supervisor is designed to facilitate the student successfully completing practicum. student successfully completing practicum. Clear and open communication between all Clear and open communication between all parties will ensure the optimum learning parties will ensure the optimum learning environment forthe student environment forthe student A DVD on the triadic process is available on request A DVD on the triadic process is available on request

13. Documentation Documentation Portfolio evidencing learning outcomes, including links to GTSs and Fit to be a teacher Criteria Portfolio evidencing learning outcomes, including links to GTSs and Fit to be a teacher Criteria Three reflections per week (e-mailed to US Three reflections per week (e-mailed to US and using a range of models. See handbook and using a range of models. See handbook pp. 14-17) pp. 14-17) Appropriate permissions sought for observations and assessments Appropriate permissions sought for observations and assessments Ensure student is aware of centres cybersafety policy and expectations around use of photographs Ensure student is aware of centres cybersafety policy and expectations around use of photographs

14. Feedback Feedback Give constructive feedback both verbally and in weekly written report Give constructive feedback both verbally and in weekly written report Be specific about what the student is doing well and suggest next steps for them to consider in the future directions section of report Be specific about what the student is doing well and suggest next steps for them to consider in the future directions section of report Discuss verbally the written feedback Discuss verbally the written feedback Be aware that the learning outcomes are to be achieved by the end of EDPRAC 621B (not this practicum) Be aware that the learning outcomes are to be achieved by the end of EDPRAC 621B (not this practicum)

15. If you have concerns If you have concerns Address them to the student teacher in the first instance and as soon as possible both verbally and in writing Address them to the student teacher in the first instance and as soon as possible both verbally and in writing Contact the university supervisor. They will support you as appropriate Contact the university supervisor. They will support you as appropriate Feel free to contact me for support. 623 8899 xtn 48225 or bs.watson @auckland.ac.nz Feel free to contact me for support. 623 8899 xtn 48225 or bs.watson @auckland.ac.nz

16. If a student is struggling If a student is struggling they will have received specific feedback about their practice and how they might improve the University Supervisor will be aware of the issue the weekly and final reports will refer to the concerns the practicum office will be alerted and remedial actions will be taken before the student proceeds to EDPRAC 621B

17. Support for Associate Teachers Support for Associate Teachers Web Site Web Site Associate Teacher Handbook and meetings Associate Teacher Handbook and meetings Practicum handbooks Practicum handbooks University Supervisor University Supervisor AT liaison ( bs.watson@auckland.ac.nz ) AT liaison ( bs.watson@auckland.ac.nz ) Practicum Coordinator ( d.lee@auckland.ac.nz ) Practicum Coordinator ( d.lee@auckland.ac.nz ) Triadic DVD Triadic DVD Combined Associate Teacher Symposium Combined Associate Teacher Symposium (2 July 2011 at UofA) (2 July 2011 at UofA)