The Professional Experience Office
Contents
Contact
Phone: 02 6773 3802
Fax:02 6773 3804
Email: peo@une.edu.au
Professional Experience Office
Faculty of the Professions
School of Education
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351 Australia
About Professional Experience
Professional Experience (each separate placement is sometimes known as a practicum) is seen by the Faculty of the Professions as a pivotal part of all of its pre-service teacher education programs. Subjects undertaken within the University context provide students with knowledge and skills about teaching and learning. Within the school context of professional experience pre-service teachers begin to apply the theoretical concepts developed in these academic subjects to the practical realities of the classroom.
The sequencing of professional experiences allows pre-service teachers to apply the theoretical concepts and pedagogical strategies developed at university to the practice of current educational facilities in a carefully structured manner, where there is both a gradual introduction to the diverse roles of teachers and an incremental development of the key skills necessary to be a professional educator.
The successful completion of all practicum requirements is a mandatory part of all courses that lead to accreditation for primary, secondary and early childhood teaching. Click here to access the report forms (at the end of this page)
Professional Experience Office
The Professional Experience Office within the Faculty administrative centre is responsible for the development of practicum programs, liaison with students and educational sites, organisation of placements and record keeping concerning all practicum components. It is staffed by the Director of Professional Experience, Yvonne Masters and two administrative assistants, Sue Haydon and Jenny Sauer.
Practicum Structures
Practicum occurs as specific separate units within awards, for example ED 901 within the Graduate Diploma in Education.
Information concerning the requirements and structures within each of the pre-service teacher education courses is available below (see Practicum Requirements). Teachers within schools and centres are selected to function as school-based educators of student teachers in supervising the practicum. Students are supported in not only developing essential teaching competencies, but also in thoughtfully combining those practical experiences with the theoretical components of academic units.
Each practicum component usually needs to be completed in a different educational site. Students must be prepared to plan ahead in terms of the financial costs and possible accommodation arrangements associated with their placement. It is not possible to guarantee placements in many sites including the Armidale area. External students are generally permitted to undertake the practicum in approved schools of their own choice, but must be prepared to consider several possible placements for each practicum component. Students must plan to have leave from their jobs for each of their practicums. ED 901 (20 days), ED902 (20 days) , ED903 (20 days). These practicums should be done in a 20 day block unless permission has been given by the Director of Professional Experience to alter the structure of the practicum. A practicum handbook which includes placement forms are sent to externals to arrange practicums by the Teaching and Learning Centre after enrolment in the relevant practicum unit.
Practicum Requirements
Practicum requirements for students enrolled in:
Practicum dates for 2008
- Combined Degrees
- Bachelor of Teaching (Graduate)
- Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood)
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
Or if you are unsure of the award you are enrolled in try below:
Practicum Report Forms
Report forms are completed by supervising teachers and authorised by the relevant professional or educational site. Report froms are available in electronic form.
The forms are now available online at http://media.une.edu.au/fehps/