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Alternative Practicum

Alternative Practicum Package 2011-2012 - For Host Professional

The package contains a Thank You letter for your Host Professional, the Education Placement Agreement form to be completed and sent back on the first day of your Alternative Practicum and, the Record of Practicum Experience form which is completed by your Host Professional(s) at the end of your Alternative Practicum placement(s).  A copy of the Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form(s) must be submitted to the Practicum Office as part of your mark for PRAC 190/191.

Alternative Practicum in an Ontario School Board                                                                                          Alternative Practicum in Canadian North
Alternative Practicum in a High Risk setting
Alternative Practicum Outside Canada (Bursary Information included)
Alternative Practicum in Canadian Industry or the Private Sector   

What is the alternative practicum?
The alternative practicum is an opportunity to explore an area of educational interest within a context that is different from that experienced during the three regular practicum blocks.

When is the alternative practicum?
The official dates of the 3-week alternative practicum are March 19 until April 5, 2012. The week preceding this is March Break (March 12-16). You can utilize this entire 4-week time frame to complete your 3-week alternative practicum. This flexibility in shifting the 3-week block is particularly important for those at an alternative practicum location where an Easter break does not coincide with the March Break. There must be a minimum of 30 hours per week completed in each of the 3 weeks.

What can I explore during my alternative practicum?
The topic of exploration for the alternative practicum should be consistent with one of the goals of your particular program focus course (FOCI). For example, if you are in the program focus course that looks at exceptional learners, then you should be exploring a topic related to exceptional learners. Your program focus instructor will facilitate your explorations of topic and location as these instructors have past knowledge of alternative practicum placements that other teacher candidates have experienced. Your program focus instructor can also supply you with a letter of introduction that may help you in obtaining a placement. As well, an on-line database of potential locations and activities for the alternative practicum is available on the computers in B217. (An email will be sent out to the TC-L list with instructions on how to access the database.) A binder of previous placements is also available in the Practicum Office. Your program focus instructor needs to approve your topic of exploration and needs to confirm the intended location of your alternative practicum.
Certain P/J teacher candidates are not in a program focus course. In that situation, the topic of exploration should be consistent with your EDST course, your FOUN course, or a topic addressed in PROF 190 or PROF 155. Meetings for P/J candidates not in a program focus course will be scheduled. The Practicum Office can also supply you with a letter of introduction that may help you in obtaining a placement. The Practicum Manager will need to approve your topic of exploration and confirm the intended location of your alternative practicum. Most approvals can be obtained via electronic conversations without the need for a face-to-face meeting.

What forms will I need to complete the alternative practicum?

You must complete the on-line Alternative Practicum Arrangement form with the details of your placement.  Your FOCI instructor or designate, will then access the database in which your information is recorded, and either approve or not approve your setting.  You will receive an email immediately upon submission of the information, indicating receipt.  You will receive another email later, from your FOCI instructor or designate indicating whether your placement has been approved or not.  If you are requesting a placement in a District School Board in which the Practicum Office must make the request on your behalf, the approval of the FOCI instructor or designate, does not mean the placement has been approved by the District School Board.  The Practicum Office will email you directly, once confirmation from the District School Board has been obtained.

Upon completion of the Alternative Practicum, candidates must submit a copy of the Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form to both the Practicum Office, and the FOCI instructor or designate.  This form, along with the summative assessments from each of the three blocks of practicum, will be used to assign your mark for PRAC 190/191.   Your FOCI instructor or designate, will submit your mark for the FOCI course based on assignments, and the Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form.

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Alternative Practicum Within an Ontario School

The Practicum Office requires specific forms and information to be submitted for the Alternative Practicum prior to starting the practicum.

  1. Alternative Practicum Arrangement form - deadline December 16, 2011 for placements in Ontario School Board, - deadline January 20, 2012 for all other placements.
  2. Education Placement Agreement form - completed, signed by all parties and returned to the Practicum Office on the first day of placement.
  3. Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form - deadline April 9, 2012

Candidates arranging the Alternative Practicum in an Ontario school (excluding private) must check and adhere to the Board Protocol for the board in which you want to arrange a placement.

Candidates wanting a placement in a board which indicates EDU as the Board Protocol must submit the request through the Practicum Office.  If a placement is requested and confirmed in an EDU board, the candidate must accept that placement.  Candidates should not request an EDU board, then arrange another placement elsewhere.  Candidates are encouraged to have a back-up plan in case a District School Board cannot accommodate the request, however if the board confirms a placement, it will take precedence.

The following boards are the only District School Boards in Ontario for which you can approach school principals directly.  Placements in any board not on the list below, must be formally requested through the Practicum Office.  There is a complete list of Ontario School Board Protocols.   Boards can change their protocol at any time so check web site frequently. 

Alqonquin-Lakeshore Catholic DSB   Limestone District School Board  
Avon Maitland District School Board   London Catholic District School Board  
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic DSB   Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
  
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario   Peterborough, Victoria Northumberland & Clarington Catholic District School Board
  
Halton District School Board   Renfrew District School Board  
Halton Catholic District School Board   St. Clair Catholic District School Board
 
Hastings, Prince Edward District School Board   Trillium Lakelands District School Board  
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board   Upper Canada District School Board  
Huron Perth Catholic District School Board   Waterloo Region District School Board  
Kawartha Pineridge District School Board      
Lakehead District School Board      

Alternative Practicum Arrangement Form

Deadline: December 16, 2011 (for placements in Ontario School Boards)

Deadline: January 20, 2012 (for all other placements)

— This form must be completed and submitted on-line. Candidates able to submit the information during on-campus weeks are encouraged to do so. Candidates must adhere to District School Board Protocol when arranging an Alternative Practicum in an Ontario School.

Education Placement Agreement form

For liability and insurance purposes, Queen's University Environmental Health and Safety department requires all Teacher Candidates to complete and submit an Education Placement Agreement form.  This form must be signed by all parties one the first day of the placement and mailed or faxed to the Practicum Office, with a copy kept on file at the Associate School or Host Institution.

Record of Alternative Practicum Experience Form

A Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form must be completed by the Host of the Alternative Practicum.  This form outlines the tasks and duties completed during the Alternative Practicum. 

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Alternative Practicum in Canadian North

The Practicum Office requires specific forms and information to be submitted for the Alternative Practicum prior to starting the practicum.

  1. Alternative Practicum Arrangement form deadline December 16, 2011 for placements in Ontario School Board, - deadline January 20, 2012 for all other placements.
  2. OCASP form submitted on-line to Practicum Manager.  The email address for submission is ocasp.education.placement@queensu.ca.  Any other email address used will cause a delay.  
  3. Education Placement Agreement form - completed, signed by all parties and returned to the Practicum Office on the first day of placement.
  4. Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form - deadline April 8, 2012

Any candidate, regardless of location, participating in activities in which there is an elevated risk, must complete the Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy Planning Procedure.

Any placement days completed without OCASP approval and Pre-departure completion will not be counted toward the fulfillment of the "PRAC" course requirements.

 

Alternative Practicum Arrangement Form

Deadline: December 16, 2011 (for placements in Ontario School Boards)

Deadline: January 20, 2012 (for all other placements)

— This form must be completed and submitted on-line. Candidates able to submit the information during on-campus weeks are encouraged to do so. Candidates must adhere to District School Board Protocol if arranging an Alternative Practicum in an Ontario School.

 

Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy Procedure

Candidates who arrange an Alternative Practicum in the far Canadian north or in a placement with a higher level of risk must complete the on-line 'Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy' procedure.

Education Placement Agreement form

For liability and insurance purposes, Queen's University Environmental Health and Safety department requires all Teacher Candidates to complete and submit an Education Placement Agreement form.  This form must be signed by all parties one the first day of the placement and mailed or faxed to the Practicum Office, with a copy kept on file at the Associate School or Host Institution.

Record of Alternative Practicum Experience Form

A Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form must be completed by the Host of the Alternative Practicum.  This form outlines the tasks and duties completed during the Alternative Practicum. 

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Alternative Practicum in a High Risk setting

The Practicum Office requires specific forms and information to be submitted for the Alternative Practicum prior to starting the practicum.

  1. Alternative Practicum Arrangement form - deadline December 16, 2011 for placements in Ontario School Board, - deadline January 20, 2012 for all other placements.
  2. OCASP form submitted on-line to Practicum Manager (for elevated risk placements).  The email address for submission is ocasp.education.placement@queensu.ca.  Any other email address used will cause a delay.
  3. Education Placement Agreement form - completed, signed by all parties and returned to the Practicum Office on the first day of placement.
  4. Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form - deadline April 9, 2012

Any candidate, regardless of location, participating in activities in which there is an elevated risk, must complete the Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy Planning Record Procedure (OCASP).

Any placement days completed without OCASP approval will not be counted toward the fulfillment of the "PRAC" course requirements.

 

Alternative Practicum Arrangement Form

Deadline: December 16, 2011 (for placements in Ontario School Boards)

Deadline: January 20, 2012 (for all other placements)

— This form must be completed and submitted on-line. Candidates able to submit the information during on-campus weeks are encouraged to do so. Candidates must adhere to District School Board Protocol if arranging an Alternative Practicum in an Ontario School.

 

Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy

Candidates who arrange an Alternative Practicum in a placement with a higher level of risk must complete the on-line 'Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy' (form One).

Education Placement Agreement form

For liability and insurance purposes, Queen's University Environmental Health and Safety department requires all Teacher Candidates to complete and submit an Education Placement Agreement form.  This form must be signed by all parties one the first day of the placement and mailed or faxed to the Practicum Office, with a copy kept on file at the Associate School or Host Institution.

Record of Alternative Practicum Experience Form

A Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form must be completed by the Host of the Alternative Practicum.  This form outlines the tasks and duties completed during the Alternative Practicum. 

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Alternative Practicum Outside Canada

Alternative Practicum Travel Fellowship

For anyone considering an international alternative practicum, there is a needs-based travel fellowship that can be used for partial financial support. Please note that funds may not be used for travel within Canada. Full details and application forms are available at http://educ.queensu.ca/fellowships/elliott.html. The first step in the process is to determine financial eligibility, and the deadline for that initial application is Tuesday, September 20, 2011. You do not need to have your placement arranged for this initial step in the process.

Below is a list of what must be done for the Alternative Practicum.  Deadlines are listed on some items whereas others will have a deadline specific to the department or facilitator.

  1. Submit Alternative Practicum Arrangement form to Practicum Office - deadline January 20, 2012
  2. Education Placement Agreement form - completed, signed by all parties and returned to the Practicum Office on the first day of placement.
  3. Complete Pre-Departure Orientation Session on-line. 
  4. OCASP form submitted on-line to Practicum Manager.  The email address for submission is ocasp.education.placement@queensu.ca.  Any other email address used will cause a delay.
  5. Submit Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form to Practicum Office - deadline April 9, 2012

Even if your program focus instructor or the Practicum Coordinator confirms the appropriateness of your intended location for the alternative practicum, this is only the first step in a multi-step process that ends with getting approval for the location.
First, you need to check the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) website to ensure that the country and region of the country you are intending to travel to is safe. In the travel report and warning section, if the country or the region of the country is designated in either of the highlighted categories, then Queen’s will not approve the alternative practicum placement.

 

Exercise normal security precautions Exercise high degree of caution Avoid non-essential travel Avoid all travel
Exercise normal security precautions Exercise high degree of caution Avoid non-essential travel Avoid all travel

 

Alternative Practicum Arrangement Form

Deadline: January 20, 2012 — This form must be completed and submitted on-line. Candidates able to submit the information during on-campus weeks are encouraged to do so.  Candidates interested in an Alternative Practicum overseas in an international school are required to check with the Placement Office (A101) before contacting such schools.

A Record of Practicum Experience form must be completed by the Host of the Alternative Practicum.  This form outlines the tasks and duties completed during the Alternative Practicum. 

Education Placement Agreement form

 

For liability and insurance purposes, Queen's University Environmental Health and Safety department requires all Teacher Candidates to complete and submit an Education Placement Agreement form.  This form must be signed by all parties one the first day of the placement and mailed or faxed to the Practicum Office, with a copy kept on file at the Associate School or Host Institution.

Pre-Departure Orientation Workshop

Complete the on-line Pre-Departure Session.  At the end of the session you are required to email QUESP@queensu.ca at which time you will be asked a number of questions that you must answer correctly in order for your Pre-departure session to be marked as complete. 

Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy Procedure

Candidates who arrange an Alternative Practicum placement out of Canada must complete and submit the on-line 'Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy' procedures.

Once a candidate has received approval from the FOCI instructor (or designate) for a placement out of country (assuming compliance with DFAIT), arrangements can be made for travel and accommodation. It is highly recommended that candidates get cancellation insurance.  OCASP approval must still be given, however one of the requirements for OCASP is an itinerary including flight schedules.

 

*It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure they meet all entry requirements for the country in which they plan to complete the Alternative Practicum.  For tourist Visa requirements visit:  www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/tourist-visas-tourisme-eng.asp

Record of Alternative Practicum Experience Form

A Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form must be completed by the Host of the Alternative Practicum.  This form outlines the tasks and duties completed during the Alternative Practicum. 

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Alternative Practicum in Canadian Industry or Private Sector

The Practicum Office requires specific forms and information to be submitted for the Alternative Practicum prior to starting the practicum.

  1. Alternative Practicum Arrangement form - deadline January 20, 2012
  2. OCASP form submitted on-line to Practicum Manager (for elevated risk placements).  The email address for submission is ocasp.education.placement@queensu.ca.  Any other email address used will cause a delay.
  3. Education Placement Agreement form - completed, signed by all parties and returned to the Practicum Office on the first day of placement.
  4. Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form - deadline April 9, 2012

Any candidate, regardless of location, participating in activities in which there is an elevated risk, must complete the Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy Planning Procedure.

Any placement days completed without OCASP approval will not be counted toward the fulfillment of the "PRAC" course requirements.

 

Alternative Practicum Arrangement Form

Deadline: January 20, 2012 — This form must be completed and submitted on-line. Candidates able to submit the information during on-campus weeks are encouraged to do so. Candidates arranging an Alternative Practicum out of Canada (including the US) must take the Pre-Departure Orientation Workshop. 

A Record of Practicum Experience form must be completed by the Host of the Alternative Practicum.  This form outlines the tasks and duties completed during the Alternative Practicum. 

 

Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy

Candidates who arrange an Alternative Practicum placement with an elevated risk, must complete the on-line 'Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy' Procedure.

 

Education Placement Agreement form

For liability and insurance purposes, Queen's University Environmental Health and Safety department requires all Teacher Candidates to complete and submit an Education Placement Agreement form.  This form must be signed by all parties one the first day of the placement and mailed or faxed to the Practicum Office, with a copy kept on file at the Associate School or Host Institution.

 

Record of Alternative Practicum Experience Form

A Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form must be completed by the Host of the Alternative Practicum.  This form outlines the tasks and duties completed during the Alternative Practicum. 

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