Bachelor and Diploma Program

Practicum Information

Practicum provides student teachers with opportunities to observe good teaching, to experience the wide variety of expectations professionals in the school setting must meet, and to apply Professional Development skills in the classroom.

Practicum is integral to preservice teacher education.  In conjunction with in-Faculty courses, its primary goals are to provide student teachers with the knowledge, experiences, guidance and resources they need to become professional teachers. 

Practicum comprises two full academic credits in the preservice program.  It consists of three components:

  • weekly practicum days (Fridays), some of which are held in the UWO Faculty of Education and others in assigned schools
  • practice teaching blocks for a total of 10 weeks) in assigned schools
  • professional workshops held in the Faculty of Education.

Practicum requires the combined efforts of the key participants:  teacher candidates, associate teachers, school principals, school coordinators, and faculty advisors.  The school districts below host teacher candidates from The University of Western Ontario's Faculty of Education.  You will be placed only with associate teachers who have been recommended by their principals and only in schools where a Faculty Advisor is assigned.  Students may not select associate teachers or attempt to arrange their own placements.

Primary Junior teacher candidates are assigned to classes of Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6. 

Junior Intermediate teacher candidates are assigned to classes of Grades 4 to 8.  JI teacher candidates may, at their request, be placed in Grade 9 and 10 classes for their second or third practica, if sufficient numbers of Associate Teachers are available.

Intermediate Senior teacher candidates are assigned to classes of Grades 9 to 12.    IS teacher candidates may, at their request, be placed in Grade 7 and 8 classes for their second or third practica, if sufficient numbers of Associate Teachers are available.

Technological Education teacher candidates are placed in schools with Technological Education programs, subject to the availability of Associate Teachers. 

 

Practicum Locations
Thames Valley District School Board
London District Catholic School Board
Waterloo Region District School Board
Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Information about these boards, including locations, is available at http://esip.edu.gov.on.ca/english/core/BoardByBoundaryMap.asp .