EDPRAC 621B April/May 2012

Introductions Bridgit Williams Debora Lee Barbara Watson Student Liaison Practicum AT Liaison Co-ordinator Laurice Joicey Practicum Administrator Contact details in Practicum handbooks

Whakatauki: Whakatepea te ko, kia kotahi We are in this together

EDPRAC 621 Conceptualising Practice This is the second part of a two part practicum (Part A was 3 weeks and Part B is 4 weeks) This practicum has a focus on competent communication Building and maintaining relationships Understanding the EC context Integrating theory, research and practice

EDPRAC 621 B 23 April - 18 May 23 April - 18 May four week practicum four week practicum first formally assessed practicum first formally assessed practicum full time students started January 2012 full time students started January 2012 three written reflections per week three written reflections per week working towards a professional goal (flexi students only) working towards a professional goal (flexi students only) triadic assessment triadic assessment

A diverse group All are graduates with a range of degrees All are graduates with a range of degrees Mature students with a wide range of life experiences Mature students with a wide range of life experiences Diverse cultural and language backgrounds Diverse cultural and language backgrounds A range of ECE experience A range of ECE experience Students may have completed EDPRAC 621 A in ‘home’ centre Students may have completed EDPRAC 621 A in ‘home’ centre Students encouraged to bring ‘who they Students encouraged to bring ‘who they are’ to the practicum

Please ensure you know whether your student is studying as a face to face student or as a flexible student as the expectations on this practicum are slightly different for each of these groups.

Please note: For those of you who have supported University of Auckland Graduate Diploma students previously there has been a change in expectations for face to face students. For those of you who have supported University of Auckland Graduate Diploma students previously there has been a change in expectations for face to face students. Face to face students present a ‘learning window’ at the end of their final practicum and it is a requirement that during his practicum they identify an area of interest for this (rather than a practice goal as for flexi students) Face to face students present a ‘learning window’ at the end of their final practicum and it is a requirement that during his practicum they identify an area of interest for this (rather than a practice goal as for flexi students) It is not necessary for you to have an in-depth understanding of the learning window process. It is not necessary for you to have an in-depth understanding of the learning window process. Details are on pp of the handbook Details are on pp of the handbook

Preparation Students are well briefed on the expectations of practicum and should be clear about these Student are expected to be familiar with the handbook and have completed the required tasks (preparing a profile, developing a professional goal – flexis only) The students have access to a wide range of support mechanisms As adult learners they are expected to take responsibility for their own learning

AT Preparation Read the practicum handbook and be familiar with the practicum expectations Have available relevant resources (key policies, centre philosophy etc.) Plan time to get to know the student Consider sharing key information about yourself Remember to contact Barbara or Debora if you need clarification

Course Work Students are engaged in studies in: Early Years Curriculum Learning Theories The Arts Te Ao M ā ori Students are expected to make links between their course work and practicum experiences See Pgs 6-7 of handbook

Possible Outcomes Pass - learning achieved for all learning outcomes, if any LOs are not met the practicum result is a fail Pass - learning achieved for all learning outcomes, if any LOs are not met the practicum result is a fail Fail - not all LOs met Fail - not all LOs met Provisional pass (dependent on subsequent passing of language course or assessment) all LOs must be met (apart from concern about language). A provisional pass must be confirmed withBarbara Backshall Provisional pass (dependent on subsequent passing of language course or assessment) all LOs must be met (apart from concern about language). A provisional pass must be confirmed withBarbara Backshall This practicum is a critical one in determining the student’s progress towards graduation. Please be in touch early if you have any concerns regarding their ability to successfully meet the learning outcomes.This practicum is a critical one in determining the student’s progress towards graduation. Please be in touch early if you have any concerns regarding their ability to successfully meet the learning outcomes.

Role of Associate Teacher Provide opportunities for students to: refine practical experience by engaging withrefine practical experience by engaging with children, teachers and families children, teachers and families construct new learning, knowledge andconstruct new learning, knowledge and understanding understanding try out ideas and theories to test and modify themtry out ideas and theories to test and modify them in practice in practice work towards an agreed professional goal (if applicable)work towards an agreed professional goal (if applicable)

Role of Associate Teacher Discuss student responsibilities and participation/contributionsDiscuss student responsibilities and participation/contributions Induct student into centre’s policies and programmeInduct student into centre’s policies and programme Observe student’s teaching with reference to the learningObserve student’s teaching with reference to the learningoutcomes Provide support, encouragement and challengeProvide support, encouragement and challenge Provide regular, specific verbal and written feedbackProvide regular, specific verbal and written feedback Model and discuss own assessment, planning, teaching,Model and discuss own assessment, planning, teaching, evaluating and reflecting processes and practice Monitor student’s progress carefullyMonitor student’s progress carefully Discuss any concerns with student and university supervisorDiscuss any concerns with student and university supervisor as soon as they arise contribute to the triadic assessment processcontribute to the triadic assessment process complete weekly reports and final report. Return final report to practicum officecomplete weekly reports and final report. Return final report to practicum office See handbook (pp ) for student and US responsibilities

The triadic relationship The relationship between the student, the Associate Teacher and the University Supervisor is designed to facilitate the student successfully completing practicum. Clear and open communication between all parties will ensure the optimum learning environment for the student A DVD on the triadic process is available on request from the practicum office

Documentation Portfolio evidencing learning outcomes, including links to GTSs and ‘Fit to be a teacher Criteria’ Portfolio evidencing learning outcomes, including links to GTSs and ‘Fit to be a teacher Criteria’ Three reflections per week ( ed to US Three reflections per week ( ed to US and using a range of models. See handbook pp ) Appropriate permissions sought for observations and assessments Appropriate permissions sought for observations and assessments Ensure student is aware of centre’s cybersafety policy and expectations around use of photographs Ensure student is aware of centre’s cybersafety policy and expectations around use of photographs

Feedback Give constructive feedback both verbally and in weekly written report Give constructive feedback both verbally and in weekly written report Be specific about what the student is doing well and suggest next steps for them to consider in the ‘future directions’ section of report Be specific about what the student is doing well and suggest next steps for them to consider in the ‘future directions’ section of report Discuss verbally the written feedback Discuss verbally the written feedback Provide suggestions about issues in their practice that it might be useful for the student to write reflections on Provide suggestions about issues in their practice that it might be useful for the student to write reflections on

If you have concerns Address them to the student teacher in the first instance and as soon as possible both verbally and in writing Address them to the student teacher in the first instance and as soon as possible both verbally and in writing Contact the university supervisor. They will support you as appropriate Contact the university supervisor. They will support you as appropriate Feel free to contact me for support xtn or Feel free to contact me for support xtn or

If a student is struggling ensure they have received specific feedback about their practice and how they might improve make the University Supervisor will be aware of the issue ensure that the weekly and final reports will refer to the concerns an extended practicum may be negotiated in order for them to successfully meet the learning outcomes

Associate Teacher Symposium 16 June This is a fabulous professional learning opportunity designed especially for Associate Teachers. This is a fabulous professional learning opportunity designed especially for Associate Teachers. Lorraine Manuela and Margaret May are the keynote speakers and a wide range of workshops and Lorraine Manuela and Margaret May are the keynote speakers and a wide range of workshops and discussion forums will be available discussion forums will be available Only $20 for the day Only $20 for the day Register now: Register now: te ‑ teachers ‑ symposium

Support for Associate Teachers Web Site Web Site Associate Teacher Handbook and meetings Associate Teacher Handbook and meetings Practicum handbooks Practicum handbooks University Supervisor University Supervisor AT liaison AT liaison Practicum Coordinator Practicum Coordinator Triadic DVD Triadic DVD Combined Associate Teacher Symposium Combined Associate Teacher Symposium (16 June at Unitec)