Bluffton University field experiences program is designed to give candidates a chance to explore their chosen profession through three phases. The first phase is EXPLORATORY. This early field experience allows candidates to observe and assist teachers in classrooms and offers candidates a variety of settings in which to decide if this is the level and subject area that best suits them. The second phase is FOCUSED and allows candidates to start to use the skills that are being developed in coursework on campus as they begin to teach short lessons and help with more classroom duties. Practicum and clinical experience are INTENSIVE field experiences (third phase) that provide each candidate with a mentor, but also allow him/her to try his/her own wings and work independently in a classroom.
The early childhood program requires field experiences in the following courses:
| I. | Exploratory Field Experiences | Hours |
| EDU 200 | Introduction to Teaching in a Diverse Society | 50 |
| (EDU 205 - field experience) | ||
| EDU 215 | Human Growth and Development | 4 |
| PSY 254 | Educational Psychology and Classroom Assessment | 15 |
| ACCESS | Field experience in a diverse setting | 50 |
| II. | Focused Field Experiences | |
| SED 228 | Introduction to Students with M/M Ed Needs | 12 |
| EDU 255 | Developmental Curriculum I Science & Math | 1 |
| EDU 282 | Teaching Reading Through Literature: EC | 1 |
| EDU 285 | Phonics and Word Identification | 40 |
| EDU 315 | Reading Assessment | 10 |
| EDU 332 | Social & Philosophical Issues in Education | 10 |
| EDU 343 | Early Childhood Instruction Methods & Classroom Org. | 12 |
| SED 381 | Methods/Materials for Young Children with M/M Ed Needs | 8 |
| III. | Intensive Field Experiences | |
| EDU 295 | Teaching Children to Read (Block) | 90 |
| EDU 356 | Early Childhood Practicum: Preschool | 40 |
| EDU 445 | Clinical Experience: Early Childhood | 300 |
| Total Field Hours | 643 |
Candidates will:
Observe and participate under supervision of qualified professionals in a variety of settings in which young children through age eight are served. (such as public and private; centers, schools and community agencies). Work effectively over time with children of diverse ages, with children with diverse abilities, with children reflecting culturally and linguistically diverse family systems. Demonstrate ability to work effectively during full-time supervised clinical practice and/or practica experiences in at least two diverse settings, serving children of two different age groups and with varying abilities. (Ohio Department of Education - Standards 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
EDU 205-Field Experience (Introduction to Teaching in a Diverse Society
Candidates will be assigned to a diverse classroom appropriate to their licensure area. Candidates will help the teacher in the classroom and complete a journal, interviews and a final observation report. 50 field hours
EDU 215-Human Growth and Development
Candidates will observe a group of children appropriate to the age level of their license. After observing the physical, cognitive and emotional/social characteristics of the age group, each candidate will select two children to interview and give a Piagetian or Kohlberg task. Notes from the observation and results of the task will be presented in a written paper. 4 field hours
PSY 254-Educational Psychology and Classroom Assessment
Candidates are to work with students 15 hours in a school setting at the grade level appropriate to their license. Candidates will also conduct two interviews and present their findings in a written report. 15 field hours
EDU 255-Developmental Curriculum in Early Childhood I: Science and Mathematics
Candidates will develop a science lesson for the primary grades and teach it to children in an area school. Candidates prepare a math box and teach a math lesson to their peers. 1 field hour.
EDU 282-Teaching Reading Through Literature: Early Childhood
Candidates will develop a lesson that integrates children’s literature and visual art and teach it to Kindergarten candidates at Bluffton Elementary School. 1 field hour
EDU 285-Phonics and Word Identification
Candidates will be assigned to a school and classroom for a 40-hour field experience. Observations will be reported through an E-journal focusing on Pathwise domains. Other assignments include a spelling assessment using WTW materials, five word study lessons, and the development of an Action Research proposal. 40 field hours
EDU 295-Teaching Children to Read
As part of the clinical experience block, students will spend Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the school with their assigned cooperating teachers. Candidates will develop teaching strategies and a classroom management plan that allows for maximum student learning. This five week intensive experience leads into a full-time clinical experience for 10 weeks. 90 hours
EDU 315-Reading Assessment
Candidates will participate in the HOSTS program for a commitment of one hour per week. A case study of an assigned child will be completed along with a final report on the tutoring experience and weekly journals. 10 field hours
EDU 332-Social and Philosophical Issues in Education
Candidates will be given options to visit various teaching sites and will go as a group on one field trip to visit an alternative school. A one page summary and one page reflection will be written for each. 10 field hours.
EDU 343-Early Childhood Instruction Methods and Classroom Organization
Candidates will work in an early childhood classroom for two and one half days. Journaling will focus on the four Pathwise domains and will be linked to in-class content. 12 field hours.
EDU 356-Early Childhood Practicum: Preschool
Candidates will be assigned to both an early childhood facility within the area and a kindergarten classroom. Candidates will use individual and group guidance and problem solving techniques to develop positive and personal relationships with children, to encourage positive social interaction among children, to promote positive strategies of conflict resolution and to help children develop personal self-control, self-motivation, and self-esteem. Establishing effective communication and collaboration and positive relationships with families will be encouraged. 40 field hours.
SED 381-Methods/Materials for Young Children with M/M Ed. Needs
Candidates will work in a classroom that includes a significant number of young children with mild/moderate educational needs. Candidates will work with the teacher and the children and will reflect on strategies they observe that have been discussed in class. 8 hours.
EDU 445-Clinical Practice (Student teaching)
This clinical experience provides supervised experiences in applying the principles and techniques learned in the professional courses to actual classroom situations under the guidance and direction of a cooperating teacher. Candidates are in assigned classrooms 10 weeks, full days, for a minimum of 300 field hours.
ACCESS (available to students beginning Fall semester 2003) is a focused field experience opportunity for teacher education candidates to enhance experiences in classrooms by working with diverse students and faculty in a variety of settings. This program consists of 50 hours of self-directed and self-selected programming in a school setting with a student/faculty composition that can be designated as ‘diverse’ according to standards established by the Education Department at Bluffton University. This field experience is a requirement for students entering the program fall semester 2003 and later.
The objective for this additional field experience is to provide distinct opportunities for teacher education candidates by working with diverse students and faculty in P-12 settings. These opportunities will supplement existing field based experiences.
Candidates will use this opportunity to add to their experiences with children and teachers. Each will submit an action plan to be approved by either their academic advisor (for Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, or Intervention Specialist licenses) or by the Director of Teacher Education or designee and then document 50 hours of working with diverse students and/or faculty in a P-12 setting. Students will be required to:
Teacher Education candidates can choose from a variety of field experience sites. The following is a recommended list of experiences/opportunities:
