ALTERNATIVE
PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS
Year 4 Concurrent Education
Brantford Campus
WHAT
IS AN
ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT?
An opportunity to:
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
WHY
AN
ALTERNATIVE PRACTICUM?
•Helps
students to explore other employment options
where the B.Ed. is an advantage
•Provides
•Adds
a different form of teaching experience
benefit to the resume and portfolio
•Offers
another professional contact and reference
•Presents
diversity and differentiation in learning and
teaching situations
•Explores
an area of interest not available through
traditional teaching situations
NON-CLASSROOM PRACTICUM EXPERIENCES
PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO…
•Expand
future employability options in the increasingly
competitive education field
•Recognize
the range of the applicability of developing skills
as teachers
•Experience
the range of services available in the
community that provide some form of teaching support to
individuals
•Examine
and reflect on developing skills in diverse settings
•Challenge
each student’s ability to adapt and respond to
changing conditions
WHY
OFFER THE
PLACEMENT
•Offers
IN
ALTERNATIVE
YEAR 4?
opportunity for diversity of placements
•Complements
courses taken in education and
Contemporary Studies
•Provides
immersion in schools in Year 5
•Reflects
Service Learning programs at Nipissing and
other universities.
DEVELOPMENT
OF THE
ALTERNATIVE
PRACTICUM HANDBOOK
•Consulted
with Nipissing North Bay for their Service
Learning component
•Presented
concept to SAC and reviewed with Year Four
•Consulted
with Laurier Brantford Service Learning Office
students
•Developed
draft and validated with Dean, staff and faculty
•Communicated
feedback
with students through NipNews for
WHY DO COMMUNITY PARTNERS
INVEST IN ALTERNATIVE
PLACEMENTS?
•Strengthen ties with Universities and students
within the community.
•Strategy to identify potential employees
•Benefit of extra expertise and assistance
•Complement to paid employment
•Improved profile for the agency/business
ALTERNATIVE PRACTICUM
OVERVIEW
Take place in year four to earn the EDUC 4686/4696
credit with 120 hours of a successful practicum.
Handbook provides details and is posted on the
Nipissing Brantford website
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 in May
2011, July 2011, or September 2011, or complete an
International Placement.
Where Can I seek a Placement for an
Alternative Practicum?
Criteria:
•Significant connection to human development and service. Teaching
skills may be applied.
•Total of 120 hours within the time period from May 2011-May 2012.
•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.
Potential Suggestions for Alternative
Practicum Placements
•Alternative or Private Schools
•Detention Centers
•Museums
•Library Literacy Programs
•Conservation Authorities
•Tutoring Services
•Theatre Programs
•Homeless Shelters/Outreach Programs
•Respite Care/Community
•Big Brothers/Big Sisters
•Hospitals – Pediatric or Geriatric Care
•Literacy Councils
•Care Access
•Research Opportunities with Faculty
•Universities and Colleges
•Others ( as approved by PAC)
•Native Cultural Centers
•FACS/CAS
Resources for Finding Alternative
Placements
•Check with Laurier Career services
oCIOC, (www.cioc.ca)
•Check the Nipissing Brantford website for
available postings
•Community sources
Requirements
Ensure that your current Criminal Record Check is current
and available (if required)
Workplace Education Agreement Form (Appendix C)
Complete a timesheet (Appendix D) with supervisor
Journal or Log is recommended (Appendix E)
Complete an evaluation (Appendix F) with supervisor at end
of placement
Inquiries about other requirements specific to placement
can be directed to the contacts listed on page 3 of the
Alternative Placement Handbook
How to Obtain an Alternative
Practicum
Students may choose to complete the placement in any location in
Ontario where an approved placement is available
Check the Brantford campus website for potential placements:
http://www.nipissingu.ca/brantford/PRAC_ap.asp
Present the official letter (Appendix A) to the agency with the sample
Handbook and resume
Once the agency accepts, complete Appendix B and submit to the
Practicum Office by April 15 (May start) or May15 (July start) or July
15 (September start)
Practicum Office will provide approvals within 3 weeks
Provide Handbook and forms to the agency, upon approval
Evaluation of the
Alternative Practicum Placement
There is only one final evaluation, but it is desirable to
review this form and the expectations at the beginning and
middle of the placement with the Supervisor
Single evaluation completed by Alternative 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 upon completion of placement.
Summary of Procedures
Use the official letter to inform potential Supervisor and
determine feasibility of a placement
Complete and submit the application to Practicum Office
as per timelines outlined in Handbook
After approval is received to Nipissing email account,
provide Handbook to supervisor
Complete the 120 hours in AP with timesheet of hours
Collaborate in evaluation and submit copy with timesheet
to the Practicum Office
International Alternative Practicum
•Planned for May 2012
•Plan is to offer Kenya and Italy subject to budget
approvals and student interest
•Accompanied by Faculty Supervisor
•Apply in September; approved in October
•May also be offered in year five block
•Approximate costs: Italy - $4000
Kenya - $5000
Questions??
Contact Associate Dean:
mariac@nipissingu.ca
Or Practicum Office at
brant@nipissingu.ca