EDUC 315 is the initial school experience for teacher candidates in the elementary and middle years option. The practicum begins in September and ends in mid-December.
UBC’s teacher education program is based upon the principle of gradual immersion into the responsibilities of teaching. During EDUC 315, the teacher candidate is not expected to assume full responsibility for an entire class. Rather, the focus is on observation, interaction, and reflection along with limited instructional responsibilities. It is important for teacher candidates to focus on students as learners and to develop a disposition towards inquiry and reflection.
The EDUC 315 experience will vary from school to school. Teacher candidates will take part in some of the following activities:
- visiting a district resource centre or teachers’ centre
- observing in classrooms at different grade levels if possible
- spending several days in one classroom
- observing students at work and at play in a variety of contexts, e.g., classroom, gymnasium, playground
- talking with and listening to children
- talking with teachers and other professionals
- reading to a group or whole class
- listening to students read and describing their use of language
- collecting copies or samples of student “artifacts” (drawing, written work) related to classroom activities and describing their learning
- sharing the teaching of a lesson with another teacher candidate or the classroom teacher
- working with individuals or small groups of students
- designing and teaching a short lesson that is appropriate to the student teacher’s development and level of confidence (small group or whole class).
- participating in weekly seminars to discuss observations and experiences
- participating in seminars with school and/or district personnel, e.g., teacher-librarian, principal, district coordinators.
Assessment and Evaluation:
Teacher Candidates:
Teacher candidates are expected to attend all seminar and school experiences as arranged by the faculty advisor. If the teacher candidate is ill and unable to attend, they must inform the school and faculty advisor. Teacher candidates are expected to participate actively in all school and seminar activities suggested by the school and faculty advisors, and to follow all protocols outlined in the Bachelor of Education Program Policies & Guidelines.
School Advisors:
Please select some of the above activities for the teacher candidate. Encourage the student to make thoughtful observations about children in a range of settings. Talk with the student. Collaborate with the faculty advisor prior to writing the EDUC 315 report (see Required Forms to obtain this document).