EDEC 300 and/or EDEC 301 (3 credits each)
Special Topics: School-based Project
Fall, Winter, or Spring Terms
david [dot] dillon [at] mcgill [dot] ca (David Dillon)
Faculty of Education
3700 McTavish St.
Montreal, QC H3A 1Y2
(514) 484-3309
Participants:
This elective course is offered exclusively to students with whom the instructor has worked as student teachers in one or more of the local elementary schools with whom he works in the fall term project. It is designed ideally for students to return to one of those schools for negotiating, planning, and carrying out a school-based project. Students may do a 3-credit or a 6-credit project. Normally this course fits only as an elective course in a K/Elem B.Ed.
Goals of the Course:
Participants tailor a “practicum” in negotiation with a school that you know well and who knows you well in return (usually a school in which you have already done a major student teaching experience). This school-based project should meet two complementary goals:
(1) to develop desired ability, knowledge, skill, experience, etc. on the part of the student teacher, ideally strengthening you as a prospective teacher, and
(2) to meet one or more strategic needs of the participating school, ideally helping the school learn from your experience. You may work individually or in small teams on your projects.
Theoretical Foundation:
In line with the new MEQ guidelines for teacher education programs in Quebec, this practicum asks you to approach your learning in the stance of a “reflective practicioner”, to approach teaching in a problem-solving way in a complex human context (as opposed to the simplistic application of technical solutions). Some brief orientation will be provided.
Weighting of the Course:
3 credits of practicum equals about the equivalent of 3 full weeks of teaching. However, you are free to arrange this time in any format during the term, e.g., one day per week, two half-days per week, three-week block, etc. in order to fit with the rest of your term’s schedule. 6 credits, of course, is roughly double the time.
Requirements and Evaluation:
I ask each individual or team to write an initial proposal for the intended project, to submit a mid-term report on the progress of the project, and to write a final report on their project. Guidelines are provided for all three in the course outline and I will, of course, be available at any time for consultation on developing the report. All work is submitted on-line.
N.B. School staff with whom you work do not have to evaluate you for the course grade.
Considerations:
- While I am available for orientation and consultation, I do not provide direct supervision of the projects in the schools. Therefore, it is usually helpful to link up with a teacher (or teachers) who are interested and involved in the project so that you have someone with whom to discuss the project in a supportive and ongoing way. This experience is usually less guided and directed than student teaching and should be seen as a helpful step toward the full responsibility of having your own classroom as a teacher.
- I strongly recommend that you have your project arranged before the start of the term in which you are doing it (otherwise valuable time is often lost from the term just trying to get a project arranged).
- This course is different from most on-campus courses in light of the responsibility you have to the school for seeing the project through in a thorough and responsible manner. Take it on only if you feel up to that responsibility.
- Follow your heart! Find a project that excites you, people to work with whom you admire and trust, and so on. This should be a challenging, but enjoyable task that fosters your growth and development as a prospective teacher.
- Finally, be wary of biting off too much. Keep your projects manageable.
Further details are available on request. In the meantime, I will be glad to respond to questions, inquiries, etc. It is your responsibility to ensure that the course fits your degree program—usually as an elective. I cannot determine that. If you have any doubts, consult a program advisor.
Some examples of past projects:
Homework help program
ESL tutoring
Math work disguised as a garden club
Peaceful playgrounds project
Girls’ club
Teaching science
Leadership program
School newspaper
Work with school resource teachers
Continued work with former cooperating teacher