EDPRAC 622

1. EDPRAC 622 October-December 2011

2. Introductions Bridgit Williams Debora Lee Barbara Watson Student Liaison Practicum AT Liaison Co-ordinator LauriceJoiceyPracticum Administrator Contact details in Practicum handbook (p.2)

3. Whakatauki: Nau to rourou, naku to raurau, Kaorateiwi With your basket and my basket, together we will have enough

4. EDPRAC 622Pedagogy in Practice • Seven week practicum which is the final practicum • for Graduate Diploma students • A focus on: • Competent communication • Building and maintaining relationships • Understanding the EC context • Integrating theory, research and practice

5. EDPRAC 622 25 October – 9 December • seven week practicum • final assessed practicum • full time students started January 2011 • three written reflections per week • no pre-determined professional goal • triadic assessment

6. A diverse group • All students are graduates with a range of degrees • Mature students with a wide range of life experiences • Diverse cultural and language backgrounds • A range of ECE experience • Students have completed seven weeks practicum prior to this • Students encouraged to bring ‘who they are’ to the practicum

7. Preparation • Students are well briefed on the expectations of practicum and should be clear about these • Students are expected to be familiar with the handbook and have developed a personal profile and philosophy statement • The students have access to a wide range of support mechanisms • As adult learners they are expected to take responsibility for their own learning

8. AT Preparation • Read the practicum handbook and be familiar with the practicum expectations • Have available relevant resources (key policies, centre philosophy etc.) • Plan time to get to know the student • Consider sharing key information about yourself • Remember to contact Barbara or Debora if you need clarification of expectations and/or process

9. Course Work • The courses the students have engaged in over • their programme of study are described in brief • in the handbook (pp. 5-6). Students are expected to make links between their course work and practicum experiences We encourage you to discuss the course content with students to assist them make these links. Readings of particular relevance to practicum are listed on pp. 28-29 of the handbook. The students have access to these and can share them with you if you wish.

10. Possible Outcomes • Pass - learning achieved for all learning outcomes, if any learning outcomes are not met the practicum result is a fail • Fail - not all learning outcomes met • If a student is not successful in meeting the learning outcomes they will have the opportunity to repeat their practicum at a later stage. It does not mean that they can not complete the programme.

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

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

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

14. Documentation • Portfolio evidencing learning outcomes, including links to GTSs and ‘Fit to be a teacher Criteria’ • Three reflections per week (e-mailed to US and using a range of models. See handbook pp. 11-16) • Appropriate permissions sought for observations and assessments • Ensure student is aware of centre’s cybersafety policy and expectations around use of photographs

15. Feedback • 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 • Discuss verbally the written feedback • Provide suggestions about issues in their practice that it might be useful for the student to write reflections on

16. If you have concerns • 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 • Feel free to contact me for support. 623 8899 xtn 48225 or bs.watson @auckland.ac.nz

17. 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 • an extended practicum may be negotiated in order for them to successfully meet the learning outcomes

18. Support for Associate Teachers • Web Site • Associate Teacher Handbook and meetings • Practicum handbooks • University Supervisor • AT liaison (bs.watson@auckland.ac.nz) • Practicum Coordinator (d.lee@auckland.ac.nz) • Triadic DVD