Field Experiences
Candidates participate
in a variety of field
experiences which
allow them to apply and reflect on their
content, professional and pedagogical knowledge,
skills and dispositions. The experiences
are designed to facilitate the candidates’ development
as Teacher Professionals by giving them
the opportunity to observe public school
classrooms, tutor students, assist teachers,
attend meetings, take part with fellow
students and classroom teachers in conversations
about the profession of teaching, and
participate in community events connected
to education. All candidates are
involved in field experiences in at least
three points in the program: ED
205 Introduction to Education, the Methods
courses, and the Clinical experience
(student teaching). A Field Experience
Coordinator has been designated to plan,
implement, and evaluate quality field
experiences.
Level One - Introductory Field Experiences
Students who have an interest in the teaching
profession take ED 205 Introduction to
Education where they are given the opportunity
to visit area schools to observe and in
many cases to act as tutors or assistants. The
courses require the students to reflect
on their experiences and to begin forming
their philosophy of education. They
will submit a reflection of their visits
to schools as part of their admission to
the Teacher Education Program in their
electronic portfolio.
Level Two - Coursework Field Experiences
Candidates who have been admitted to the
Teacher Education Program take a series
of courses that include activities and
field experience which provide opportunities
to increase content and general knowledge,
to practice skills, and to display appropriate
dispositions. Some of the opportunities
include class discussions, writing assignments,
observing students, shadowing teachers,
conducting interviews, working with small
groups in schools, and attending meetings
or events. All methods courses require
candidates to have specific field experiences
that relate to the content area. Candidates
will reflect on their observations and
activities orally and in writing (see
Field Experience Form - Appendix II) and
will keep a log of all experiences in
the LiveText portfolio (see page 23).
Level Three - Clinical Experience
All candidates are required to participate
in a semester-long student teaching experience
that involves assuming full teaching responsibility
for a period of at least ten weeks. All
candidates are required to take ED 470
Diversity in American Schools in order
to insure that they are familiar with the
challenges and opportunities presented
by a diverse school setting. The
goal of the clinical experience is to provide
advanced candidates guided practice and
constructive feedback as they prepare themselves
to be Teacher Professionals.
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