Field Experiences Policy
Overview
Classes in the Department of Education include Field Experiences as an important component to the learning process of prospective teachers. Field Experience assignments occur as a part of education coursework. There are three levels of supervision for the field experiences:
- The classroom teacher at the school site is the “cooperating teacher.” This person is an employee of the cooperating school.
- The HCC faculty member teaching the associated course oversees students at the sites.
- The HCC chair of education oversees the cooperation between the sites and HCC.
Students begin by observing and gradually take on tutoring and teaching roles within the assigned classroom. Student roles will vary based on the associated coursework and level of study within the education department.
Guidelines
All HCC students and cooperating teachers receive guidelines/assignments for field experiences. Guidelines/assignments vary based on the course and level of practicum within the department of education. The assignments for HCC students are based on the concurrent coursework or class. More advanced placements associated with Block Coursework will include more actual teaching requirements. The actual teaching that a practicum student does is subject to the cooperating teacher’s discretion and the nature of the course/class. Please note:
- The cooperating teacher makes the final decision about the schedule of teaching responsibilities of the HCC student.
- One important role for the cooperating teacher is to be a model for the practicum student. Watching a teacher actually discipline a student or explain an abstract math concept is worth a thousand words in a book; therefore focused observation of the classroom (cooperating) teacher actually teaching is one important goal of the practicum.
- Practice teaching is an important part of later practicum experiences. It should not, however, replace observation. Observation will continue to be an important goal of practicum experiences throughout the HCC students experiences.
- Discussions in class sharpen powers of observation. HCC students should become critical observers in the same way they become critical consumers of educational theory and practice.
Specifics
- Planning — It is essential that the HCC practicum students carefully plan what they will teach. Good teachers carefully think through their lessons well in advance. Opportunities to practice lessons during concurrent HCC coursework is sometimes possible. Check with instructor. Lesson plan formats for block field experiences will be made available to HCC students during their HCC courses.
- Materials — The cooperating teacher should show the HCC students the available materials in the classroom. HCC students should also feel comfortable asking their cooperating teacher questions regarding the availability of supplies. Specific materials needed to teach lessons, not available at the site, are the responsibility of the HCC student.
- Dress — There is appropriate dress at every school site. Cooperating teachers and HCC students should discuss this at the first meeting. Additionally, HCC students should maintain a base level of professional dress regardless of building appropriateness. Appropriate dress does not include blue jeans, sweats, tank tops, or t-shirts with slogans or writing. Appropriate dress does include neat, clean, comfortable clothing. HCC students are representing the college, and modeling for students.
- Absence — HCC students contact the HCC faculty member for concurrent coursework during the practicum. HCC faculty members will contact the school. Field placement time is to be “made-up” in the case of an absence.
- Observation form — HCC students are asked to complete an observation form for their cooperating teachers during block field placements. Forms will be provided by HCC faculty in concurrent courses.
- Journals — HCC students will be asked to journal during all field experiences. Specific guidelines/assignments will be distributed by HCC faculty during concurrent courses.
- Evaluation — The cooperating teacher and university faculty will serve as formative evaluators during the practicum experiences. The chair of education will visit classrooms and site principals to evaluate the design of future field experiences. Block Field Experience students will receive a separate grade (pass/fail) on their transcripts. Grades for other Field Experiences will be included in the concurrent courses.