460-209 Internship A (Strand 2 Only)

Credit Points:

Coordinator:

Prerequisite/s:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

Within the classroom

• demonstrate a clear understanding of the Curriculum Standards Frameworks and/or VCE curricula;

• demonstrate the ability to plan, in consultation with the mentors, extended units of work and to implement them using a variety of teaching strategies;

• monitor and evaluate their teaching and curriculum planning and demonstrate this reflection in action by implementing appropriate strategies to redress identified weaknesses and build upon identified strengths;

• show development in professional organisational skills;

• utilise effective communication skills;

• evaluate the learning progress of individuals within their class/classes, cater for specific needs and foster collaborative approaches to learning as well as independent learning; and

• effectively communicate their students' progress to the students and their parents or guardians.

Within the school

• develop collaborative working relationships with their mentors and other members of staff;

• demonstrate an awareness of the work of various committees which contribute to the management of the school and its programs;

• identify and explore resources within and beyond the school to complement the curriculum; and

• work within the legal and ethical requirements of the teaching profession.

Within the community

• facilitate an open exchange of information between the school and community members;

• encourage meaningful involvement of parents and community members in the school's programs; and

• seek an understanding of the cultures, values and backgrounds of various groups in the community.

Content:

The student will increasingly assume responsibility for professional duties within the classroom, school, and community, in collaboration with appropriately qualified mentors approved by the host school and the Faculty.

Sixty days will be spent in one school. The intern will attend their school for 4 days per week with a teaching load of, and independent responsibility for, about 12 classes of an hour each. The remainder of the time will be spent in planning and evaluating their teaching and involvement in wider school activities under the guidance of school staff. Participation in school and University seminars with their peers is expected.

Several models of internship are possible and will be negotiated with the host schools:

• schools may elect to have a student share responsibility with a classroom teacher for one or more classes;

• schools may rotate students on a specialist basis.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• Furlong VJ Hirst PH Pocklington K and Miles S, Initial Teacher Training and the Role of the School, Open University Philadelphia 1988.
• Dalton Joan, Individual Differences, Curriculum Branch Ministry of Education Melbourne 1986.
• MacDonald Robert, A Handbook of Basic Skills and Strategies for Beginning Teachers: Facing the Challenge of Teaching in Today's Schools, Longman New York 1991.