Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education (DACE) Practicum Overview

1st Question - What is DACE? DACE is a WDA-endorsed diploma programme for curriculum designers / courseware developers who design training for adult learners

Next, what is Practicum? The DACE Practicum is part of the DACE programme where a learner : Applies what he/she has learnt in the programme by undertaking a pro-bono design and development project for a company (called a Practicum Host Organisation (PHO)) PHO can be any type of company, not necessarily a training organisation

So, what does the Practicum Learner do? A 30-hour project: Conduct a training needs analysis to find out training gaps for staff in the PHO Design a training curriculum based on the gaps identified Develop courseware (ie. lesson plan, training materials and assessment plan) for part of the curriculum

Wait…what is a Training Needs Analysis (TNA)? Find out what training gaps there are currently in the PHO (through surveys, interviews etc) Example Sales not doing well TNA reveals training gaps in customer service skills Solution – training curriculum on retail

I see… but what is a Curriculum? Retail Curriculum THE BIG PICTURE Core Module 1: Interact with Customers Example Core Module 2: Maintain Professional Image Core Module 3: Sell Products and Services Elective Module 1: Provide GEMS Service Elective Module 2: Deliver Service Excellence

Ok… but what is Courseware? Retail Curriculum Lesson Plan Training Materials Assessment Plan Core Module 1: Interact with Customers THE SMALL DETAILS Example Core Module 2: Maintain Professional Image Core Module 3: Sell Products and Services Elective Module 1: Provide GEMS Service Elective Module 2: Deliver Service Excellence

Alright… but what is Assessment? Lesson Plan Training Materials Assessment Plan Core Module 1: Interact with Customers Example Core Module 2: Maintain Professional Image Assess what has been learnt Core Module 3: Sell Products and Services Elective Module 1: Provide GEMS Service Elective Module 2: Deliver Service Excellence Learning in class Pass assessment  sales

Ok, what does the Practicum Learner do again? A 30-hour project: Conduct a training needs analysis to find out training gaps for staff in the PHO Design a training curriculum based on the gaps identified Develop courseware (ie. lesson plan, training materials and assessment plan) for part of the curriculum

Final question… what is PHO’s role? The role of the PHO is to assign a PHO coordinator to: provide learner with opportunity to conduct a training needs analysis through surveys and interviews give feedback on learner’s: Training Needs Analysis report Curriculum design document Courseware developed for part of the curriculum

Wait wait… last few questions! Q. How long does the practicum last? A. 1 month for TNA, 2 months for designing curriculum and courseware Q. Who owns the work done? A. Usually the PHO, unless special arrangements are made between PHO and learner, but definitely not IAL. Q. Can we engage the learner to continue the rest of the development work after his/her practicum? A. Yes, but this will be a private arrangement between PHO and learner. IAL has no involvement in this.

Thank you.