Reflective Practicum: Action Learning

The 4th phase of Practicum is Reflective Practicum: Action Learning.  Reflective Practicum: Action Learning runs parallel with the field experience. It provides supervised practicum experiences in workshop/seminar settings to complement action research being implemented in cooperating schools. Student teachers are engaged in the application of theoretical principles to address educational issues in actual school situations; the integration of requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes across the curriculum; the application of technology for best practices in teaching; and the overall development of a personal philosophy of education that concurs with contemporary trends. The fieldwork (practicum) is clinically supervised, but student teachers assume increasing responsibility for the outcome of the process, as they apply action research methodology to address an area of interest to them and develop a portfolio as evidence of the reflective processes employed throughout the practicum experience.

There are 4 credits awarded by the University to students who successfully complete this phase. 

The course is structured with 45 hours in-house and 45 hours of fieldwork all spearheaded by the Department of Education and Professional Studies and supervised by faculty from the area of specialization. During this phase, the emphasis is placed on student teachers engaging in action research-based activity. There is also implementation and assessment of innovations in the assigned school and a research study report that the student-teacher should write.