This course is a practice-based, 15 point course. Preparation for each assessed practicum, requires engagement in 15 hours of online course content prior to practicum, inclusive of asynchronous online learning activities including readings, recorded lecture materials, videos, and collaborative and independent tasks.
EPRAC 615 consists of two practicum, one at the start of the semester and the second towards the end of the semester. The first practicum is a 3-week block for semester 1 students, or 10 days (over five weeks) for semester 2 students. Both semester intakes then do a six-week block in the same school toward the end of the relevant semester.
Students are expected to attend their allocated practicum school for at least eight hours each day during their in-school placement. Starting and finishing times will be negotiated with the associate teacher (usually between 8.00am – 4.00pm), although commitment to staff and team meetings may extend this on some occasions.
Student teachers are required to maintain professional documentation in a digital folder evidencing their progress towards meeting the Learning Outcomes of the practicum. Student teachers observe the associate teacher's practice and the needs of individual learners to inform their planning for and teaching of multiple groups and the whole class. As the practicum progresses, student teachers take on increasing responsibility for planning for and managing aspects of the learning programme, before taking full teacher responsibility for the classroom programme under the supervision of their associate teacher.