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Community placements for Clayton-based EDF1304 students

For EDF1304 Learning and Educational Inquiry 2 - Semester 2 2008 - Clayton campus only

In EDF1304 Learning and Educational Inquiry 2 you will have the opportunity to experience and inquire into a different (i.e. non-school) educational setting. A key aim for you on this placement will be to apply the learning you will be doing here at university to a different educational setting. And in so doing, you will aim to deepen your understanding of the issues associated with teaching and learning in this setting and beyond.

Placement dates

You will be expected to complete 5 days of placement over weeks 5 and 6 of Semester 2 (i.e. 11 – 22 August 2008).

Types of placement

Schools are not the only places where there are methodical and organised programs for learners to learn. In fact, some of the most innovative educational programs develop out of the needs and desires of certain groups in society to learn in particular areas.

To get an idea of the scope and range of teaching and learning that happens outside traditional schools you might like to think about the different educational programs (for people of all ages) that are associated with the following non-school, educational settings:

  • a zoo (e.g. Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Collingwood Children’s Farm, etc.)
  • a museum or art gallery (i.e. with an education program attached)
  • an aquarium (i.e. with an education program attached)
  • the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra / Opera Australia / Australian Ballet
  • an adult workplace – e.g. a factory where workers need to learn safety regulations, or they may need to learn how a new machine works; a workplace where new knowledge or new skills needs to be learned in order to satisfactorily complete a job
  • community arts organisation (see local councils for programs and projects)
  • a collection of volunteers who meet together (i.e. several days per week) to learn a skill or some knowledge that they want to (or need to) learn
  • a society or social group with a common interest (perhaps a hobby), which regularly (i.e. several days per week) meet together to learn more about this common interest.

How many hours per day of placement do I need to complete?

Some practicum settings may require you to attend outside of traditional school hours (i.e. seven hours: 8.30am – 3.30pm). From the University’s perspective we will require you to attend for a period that is equivalent to five full days in traditional school hours. If you are required to attend your placement outside of these hours you will need to discuss with your tutor how many hours you are required to attend, in lieu of the seven hours of a school day.

What you need to do

It is your responsibility to organise your own non-school/community placement. Part of the responsibility for organising this placement involves communicating with the Professional Placement Office about your placement details, and obtaining formal consent (signed) from the person who will be your supervisor at that placement. To do this, please follow the process below:

  1. Locate an Organisation that is willing to have you for your community placement within the placement dates allocated.
  2. Complete the Community Placement Advice Confirmation (30KB) form:
    • Section A: to be completed by you
    • Section B: to be complete by the Organisation
  3. Forward the completed form to the Professional Placements Office by Friday 30 May 2008.  Your form can be sent via:

On receiving your advice form the Professional Placements Office will liaise with appropriate staff members to have your placement approved. No pre service teacher should commence placement unless notified by the Professional Placements Office that their placement has been approved. You will be notified via your Monash email address of your placement outcome so please ensure you check this regularly. Most pre-service teachers can expect to be advised as to their placement outcome within one to two weeks of sending in their advice.

Once your placement has been approved the Professional Placements Office will arrange to have relevant documentation sent out to the Organisation which is accepting you for placement.

Who to contact for further information

For advice regarding appropriate settings please speak with the Unit Coordinator:

Unit Coordinator
Dr Graham Parr
Graham.Parr@education.monash.edu.au

For advice regarding the administration of your placement please contact:

Professional Placements Officer
Ms Pamela Dooley
professional.placements@education.monash.edu.au