1. Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education (DACE)
Practicum Overview

2. 1st Question - What is DACE?
DACE is a WDA-endorsed diploma programme for curriculum designers / courseware developers who design training for adult learners

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Thank you.