Alternative Practicum Placements

1. Alternative Practicum Placements Year 4 Concurrent Education Brantford Campus

2. An opportunity to: What is an Alternative Placement? Use teaching skills in non-traditional teaching contexts including private schools Explore other employment options where teaching skills are an advantage Network and make community contacts that may lead to future employment outside the classroom. Offer services to the community

3. Alternative Practicum Overview Takes place in year four to earn credit in the EDUC 4686/4696 course; 120 hours need to be completed in a successful practicum Practicum can take place on any day of the week – students can now take WLU classes on a Monday if they choose Practicum is Self-selected and arranged by the student Approved and supported by the Practicum Advisory Committee Total of 120 hours can be accumulated over time period Alternative Practicum Placements may begin as soon as May 2013

4. Course Credit Requirements • An alternative Practicum is a requirement of the Observation and Practice Teaching Course, EDUC 4686(PJ), 4696(JI). • Teacher Candidates must register for the course in the same way as all other courses. The last day to add full year courses is approx. September 25. (check course calendar for revised dates for 2013/2014) • Failure to complete the practicum as outlined in the Alternative Practicum Handbook will result in a course failure. • The following documentation must be approved and submitted to the Practicum Office: • Alternative Practicum Placement Application • Work/Education Placement Agreement • Alternative Practicum Placement Timesheet(s) • Alternative Practicum Evaluation Report • Completed timesheets and final evaluation must be received by May 31, 2014 • Once appropriate forms have been completed and received, credit allocation for this course will be received for the 2013/2014 year

5. Course Credit-document Requirements Practicum Placement applications may be submitted for approval between April 2013 and September 2013. NOTE: You must allow three weeks for the approval process. Alternative Practicum Placement Applications Timelines All forms to be submitted to the Practicum Office • Alternative Practicum Placement Application • Work/Education Placement Agreement • Alternative Practicum Placement Timesheet(s) • Alternative Practicum Evaluation Report April 2013 – September 2013 Due at the commencement of the placement Submit by May 31, 2014 Submit by May 31, 2014

6. Failure to Submit an Alternative Placement Application In order to graduate from the Concurrent Education program, Teacher Candidates must fulfill all degree requirements. Detailed Degree Requirements can be found in the Academic Calendar. Teacher Candidates who fail to submit an Alternative Placement application will receive a registered letter in January 2014, which will outline the procedure to be followed if an application is not received. If any of the application, timesheets and final evaluation are not submitted by due dates a mark of “F” will be entered into Webadvisor transcripts.

7. Evaluation of the Alternative Practicum Placement There is one final evaluation, but it is desirable to review the evaluation form and the expectations at the beginning and middle of the placement with the Supervisor Students are to maintain a time sheet and submit it at the completion of the placement with Supervisor signature The timesheet and evaluation form are due to the Practicum Office one week after the completion of the placement or no later than May 31, 2014

8. Alternative Placement was completed at: Paris Curling Club • Position: • Junior Program Coordinator • Board of Directors • Responsibilities include: • Little Rockers and Juniors Sunday Program • Field Trip Friday Program • 4H Brant Curling • Board Member Sam stouffer – year 4 2011-2012

9. Alternative Placement was completed at: • - Virtual Elementary School • - Placement was completed online • Position: Editing and Exemplar Creation • Responsibilities: • Writing rubrics for science and math curriculum • Completing a level 4 exemplar for every assignment • Benefits: • Having an online practicum works well with school schedule • Online education is a growing field • Gained experience in writing rubrics for successful evaluation • Lot of fun completing science experiments like building towers and bridges!- • Gain lots of ideas for future teaching. Carly Davis year 4 2012-2013

10. Finding a placement? • Criteria: • Significant connection to human development and service • Teaching skills may be applied • Total of 120 hours within the time period from May 2013 - May 2014 • Location must appear to be healthy and safe • Volunteer, not paid employment • In Ontario, but outside of a publicly funded school board • Supervisor is not immediate family or peer in the program • International placement is only Nipissing sponsored • Not more than two (2) Teacher Candidates with the same supervisor

11. Resources for Finding • Alternative Placements • Laurier Career services CIOC, (http://www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=2083&p=15780) • Brantford campus website for potential placements: • (http://www.nipissingu.ca/departments/brantford/practicum/Pages/Alternative-Placements.aspx) • Community sources

12. Overall summary Use the official letter to inform potential Supervisor and determine feasibility of a placement Complete and submit the Alternative application to Practicum Office for approval, as per timelines outlined in the Handbook After approval is received, provide Handbook to supervisor Complete 120 hours in the Alternative Placement Collaborate in evaluation and submit copy with signed timesheet to the Practicum Office

13. International Alternative Practicum • Planned for May 2014 • Plan is to offer Kenya and Italy subject to budget approvals and student interest • Accompanied by Faculty Supervisor • Apply in September 2013; approved in October 2013 • Approximate costs: Italy - $4000 • Kenya - $5000

14. Questions?? Contact Associate Dean: mariac@nipissingu.ca Or Practicum Officer: deanneo@nipissingu.ca Or Practicum Office at brant@nipissingu.ca