SEC 431: Practicum
Course Description
SEC 431. Practicum (12) Corequisite: SEC 430. Prerequisites: As specified for SEC 430.
Students will be assigned full-time, or equivalent, to practicum sites within their areas of
specializations. Students will engage in a variety of supervised instructional activities, assuming
increasingly wider responsibility for class instruction. Practica are offered in the following areas
of specialization: biology, chemistry, English, geology, history, mathematics, music, physics,
and social studies.
Overview
As the culminating course in the teacher licensure program, the practicum supports the key
components of the Watson School of Education conceptual framework; the development of
highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles. All educators must use
data for decisions, reflect upon their practice, exemplify their commitment to professional
standards, implement appropriate communication strategies and strive to meet the needs of all
learners. Assignments in SEC 430 will assist you in these goals.
Course Objectives
During the course the student will:
1. Demonstrate leadership in his/her classroom as well as contribute to creating an effective
school learning environment.
2. Demonstrate competence in establishing a respectful environment for a diverse population of
students.
3. Demonstrate competence in teaching a specific content curriculum as specified by the
standard course of study and National Standards.
4. Demonstrate competence in applying academic and professional knowledge to facilitate
learning for diverse learners.
5. Demonstrate competence in long-range, short-range, and daily planning.
6. Generate appropriate evaluation strategies and use them to guide student growth.
7. Demonstrate competence in using technology to enhance teaching and learning.
8. Demonstrate effective communication behaviors with adolescent learners and adults.
9. Demonstrate competence in organizing and managing the classroom.
10. Demonstrate personal and professional attributes appropriate to the role of teacher.
11. Demonstrate competence in self-reflection in analyzing teaching effectiveness.
Requirements:
The student will complete the following requirements:
1. Participate in all related classroom and selected school and school system events beginning
with the first day of placement and ending with the last day of placement at the teaching site.
2. Successfully complete the teaching practicum.
3. Adhere to the UNCW Honor Code.
Course Grading:
Grades in student teaching may range from F to A as shown in the UNCW catalog. They are
based on the exit criteria shown in the Practicum Semester Handbook and the related rubric and
are determined through joint conferences with the partnership teacher and the university
supervisor. The final decision concerning the grade is made by the university supervisor in
consultation with the partnership teacher.