One of the most significant and concrete ways candidates develop an understanding of the teaching/learning process is through direct experiences in diverse classroom environments. Most education courses require some sort of participation in school settings. Depending on the objectives of the course, candidates are required to spend a specified number of hours completing practicum requirements in diverse field placements. It is important that candidates are prepared to complete field experiences during the school day. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites. Since practicum requirements comprise a critical component of pre-service teaching preparation, candidates that are employed must make arrangements with their employer.
Field experiences and clinical practice are arranged in five levels.
• Level 1 primarily involves observation.
• Level 2 involves observation and participation, including teaching small groups, locating materials, and providing general assistance to a cooperating teacher.
• Level 3 candidates engage in more substantive tasks such as whole-class instruction, choosing curriculum materials, and lesson planning.
• Level 4 the candidates plan, implement, analyze and modify instructional practices.
• Level 5 is the Clinical Practice (Student Teaching) experience.
It is our expectation that through this sequential program of practicum experiences candidates will gain firsthand knowledge of life in the classroom. Specific purposes, activities, and procedures for each practicum are described in detail on the individual practicum expectations forms candidates receive in each course.
