Syllabus – Practicum I (EDUC 270)
Summer 2011
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Ms. Nancy S. Dunn
University Supervisor
Longwood University
1009 Porte Harbour Arch
Hampton, VA 23664
757-851-1346 (H)
757-846-5822 (C)
ndunn2@cox.net
Contact me between 9:00AM and 9:00PM any day.
COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
EDUC270: Practicum I. An observation and participation practicum taking place in a
public school setting for one week (30 hours minimum) under the supervision of Longwood.
Students will complete reflective journals and other specific reports demonstrating an
understanding of the roles of educational professionals and the school culture. 1 credit.
TEXTBOOK / INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:
Field Experience Placements Handbook, available for download from the Office of
Professional Services Website at the link below.
http://www.longwood.edu/assets/professionalservices/Field_Experience_Placement_Handbook_
1-27-10.pdf
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Longwood's Teacher Education Preparation Program prepares Teachers as Reflective
Leaders based upon a solid foundation in general education, a broad background in liberal arts
and sciences, and specific pedagogical skills as required by the National Council for the
Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) competencies. The NCATE competencies and
Longwood’s Conceptual Framework Standards that the teacher candidate graduate is able to
demonstrate are described on pages 4-8 of the Field Experience Placements Handbook.
COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE:
The general aim of the field experience placement is to convey the relationship between
theory, research, and wisdom in practice. The teacher candidate will:
1. be involved in the instructional environment from the beginning of the teacher
education program.
2. be enabled to move gradually from observation activities to actual teaching.
3. be informed and familiar with the operation of a school by participating in a variety of
instructional and operational activities.
4. have an opportunity to connect and participate with a group of educators professionally
and in the instructional process.
5. have an opportunity to experience the multi-faceted role of the teacher as a
professional.
6. work with students having diverse backgrounds and needs.
7. observe the relationship between content and appropriate methodologies of instruction.
8. have an opportunity to teach in small and large group settings prior to the clinical
experience placement (student teaching).
9. be observed so that evaluation of specific competencies can be made prior to the
clinical experience placement.
SCHEDULE:
May 9-13, 2011 for EDUC 270 Practicum I placements
COURSE REQUIREMENTS (due dates, meetings, etc.):
1. Attend the required Practicum meeting(s) scheduled by the Office of Professional
Services (OPS) and the university supervisor prior to beginning the Practicum I
placement.
2. Complete all scheduled days at the field placement site (one week or the equivalent for
EDUC 270 students). The teacher candidate’s grade could be lowered for each day
absent. The OPS must approve any changes in the Practicum I schedule.
3. Notify the university supervisor and cooperating teacher if illness or an emergency
necessitates an absence from school and/or a scheduled placement activity. This must be
done prior to the absence. The time missed must be made up or the teacher candidate’s
could receive an incomplete or a failing grade.
4. Represent Longwood University with a professional and positive demeanor. The
teacher candidate is expected to dress professionally. In all matters of conduct and
personal appearance, the teacher candidate is expected to comply with the standards of
Longwood University. Failure to comply with these standards may result in cancellation
of the placement. If a placement is cancelled, the placement will not be rescheduled
during the same placement period. Failure to complete the Practicum I placement will be
reported to the teacher candidate’s advisor and could delay graduation.
5. Accept the approved placement and the responsibilities as explained by the OPS, the
university supervisor, and Longwood professors. Notify the OPS immediately if you
attended the placement school, or if you have family who work or attend there.
6. Wear the Longwood photo identification badge or one that is provided by the
partnering school while on the school site and/or when representing the assigned school.
7. Demonstrate a willingness to perform duties assigned by the cooperating teacher.
Become involved and be enthusiastic.
8. Complete the Journal Entries required for Practicum I as described in more detail in
the Field Experience Placements Handbook. Each journal entry must provide a date
and be complete and reflective. All journal entries must be typed and double spaced,
and available for review upon request from the university supervisor. Journal entries will
chronicle the activities observed and completed each day. The teacher candidate will
need to observe and write a few reminder notes during the day, but write the complete
journal entries after school hours on a daily basis. The journal is the major item the
university supervisor will use for grading the teacher candidate. Journal entries should be
sent to the University Supervisor via e-mail by midnight each evening. In addition they
should be available for review when the University Supervisor visits.
GRADING POLICY:
Journal
1. Daily Observation and Reflection Entries
2. Specific Requirements Entries
3. Cooperating Teacher Evaluation*
4. Longwood Supervisor Evaluation*
Total
30
20
25
____25___
100
*The cooperating teacher and the university supervisor may use the Summative
Evaluation Form for grading.
The achievement of a student is indicated by the grade that is received. The university supervisor
has the discretion to assign the numerical value of each letter grade.
A – Superior
B – Above Average
C – Average
D – Below Average, but passing
F – Failure
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
1. Attend the required Practicum meeting(s) scheduled by the Office of Professional
Services (OPS) and the university supervisor prior to beginning the Practicum I
placement.
2. Complete all scheduled days at the field placement site (one week or the equivalent for
EDUC 270 students). The teacher candidate’s grade could be lowered for each day
absent. The OPS must approve any changes in the Practicum I schedule.
3. Notify the university supervisor and cooperating teacher if illness or an emergency
necessitates an absence from school and/or a scheduled placement activity. This must be
done prior to the absence. The time missed must be made up or the teacher candidate’s
could receive an incomplete or a failing grade.
HONOR CODE STATEMENT:
The Longwood University Honor Code prohibits lying, cheating, stealing, and
plagiarism. Students are expected to abide by this code at all times. All written work submitted
in this course must be pledged, meaning that students are to do their own independent work
unless an assignment is clearly designated as collaborative. Any violations of the stipulations
or the ethical and moral essence of the Code of Honor will not be tolerated.