Summary of PGM 710: Institutional Practicum: Theory and Application

PGM 710: Institutional Practicum: Theory and Application

Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive foundation to successfully navigate and excel in an institutional practicum. It aims to equip you with the necessary tools, knowledge, and skills to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. Through this course, you will gain a clear understanding of the practicum’s purpose, structure, and expectations, helping you to approach the experience with confidence and clarity. The course is designed to guide you through the process of setting realistic goals and objectives, ensuring that your practicum experience aligns with your academic and career aspirations. By exploring key concepts such as placement matching, mentorship, and observation, you will develop critical skills in adapting to professional environments, learning from experienced mentors, and observing best practices in teaching. In addition, the course focuses on hands-on practice, encouraging you to identify training needs and analyze problems using tools like problem tree analysis and logical framework formulation. This skill empowers you to approach challenges with a strategic, solution-oriented mindset. Ultimately, the course prepares you to undertake a practicum proposal and project. The practical experience will allow you to demonstrate your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and ensure that you are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully in education profession field.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO1: Demonstrate knowledge of the structure, purpose, and expectations of the institutional practicum, including the roles of placement matching, mentorship, and observation.

CLO2: Analyze and apply key concepts in problem analysis, including problem tree analysis and logical framework formulation, to assess and address challenges within the practicum setting.

CLO3: Engage in hands-on practice by identifying organizational training needs, setting clear practicum goals and objectives, and developing a practicum proposal and project that reflect professional standards and best practices.

CLO4: Critically evaluate your own learning process throughout the practicum, reflect on your professional growth, and make adjustments to enhance your effectiveness in real-world work environments.

Course Content

Introduction to Institutional Practicum: The concept of institutional practicum/overview of institutional practicum, (definition, objectives, benefits); characteristics of an effective practicum; key practicum resources; benefits of planning a practicum

Practicum Orientation: Components of practicum orientation; purpose and value of practicum orientation; practicum orientation session; role of orientation in practicum preparation

Setting Practicum Goals and Objectives: Principles for setting practicum objectives; role of SMART objectives in successful practicum experience; formulating SMART practicum objectives; aligning objectives to practicum purpose

Placement Matching: Factors affecting effective placement matching; aligning student strengths and learning needs with suitable placement opportunities; assessment tool for selecting placement opportunity; placement process and strategies

Mentorship in Practicum: Characteristics of an effective mentor; mentor-mentee relationship during practicum; constructive feedback in mentorship; mentorship assessment

Observation: Techniques of effective observation in practicum; benefits of observation in professional practice; practicum observation checklist; interpreting and applying feedback from observation

Hands-on Practice: Identification of training needs: key steps in identifying training needs in professional organizations; benefits of identifying training needs in professional practice; training need identification checklist; effective training need identification process

Problem Analysis Strategies: Problem Tree Analysis and the Logical Framework Formulation: defining problem analysis; Problem Tree Analysis, Logical Framework formulation

Practicum Proposal: Components of practicum proposal; problem analysis; evaluating practicum proposal

Practicum Project Writing: Components of practicum project; importance of writing a practicum report; evaluating a practicum project