Field Experiences

Practica

Student Teaching

Introduction to Field Experiences:

Within the context of the University Teacher Education program, field experiences are placements in educational settings that allow ISU students to observe and participate in ongoing teaching of Birth to Grade 12 pupils. ISU students participate in field experiences by taking field experience courses. There are two types of field experience courses: practicum related and student teaching related.

Practica courses provide short-term placements in educational settings, experience in which ISU students observe teaching and learning in schools, and/or provide short-term teaching under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher. Student teaching courses are longer-term experiences in which students teach full time under the supervision of an experienced teacher and are expected to become increasingly independent in their planning, classroom management, and teaching. Over the course of student teaching experiences, students come to be in control of a classroom.

The Standards for Practitioner and Administrator Preparation Programs (chapter 79.13(1)) requires that "candidates admitted to a teacher preparation program participate in field experiences including both observation and participation in teaching activities in a variety of school settings and totaling at least 80 hours' duration, with at least 10 hours occurring prior to acceptance into the program."

Purpose of Field Experiences:

• Gain professional insights and practical teaching experience through observation, planning and practice under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
• Gain deeper insights into the professional responsibilities of a classroom teacher (instruction, classroom management, record keeping, building procedures, student evaluation, planning, organization, parent communication, following curriculum guidelines, …).
• Gain experience in planning and implementing lessons using a variety of teaching strategies and methods, which must be differentiated to meet the individual needs of children in the classroom.
• Gain experience working with colleagues in the school setting, accomplishing activities under the direction of the cooperating teacher.

Functions of the Field Experience Office:

The Office of Field Experiences serves all of the teacher education options within the University Teacher Education program. The Office works with coordinators and students in the various early childhood, elementary, and secondary options within Teacher Education to arrange practicum and student teaching placements in K-12 settings. The Office serves the following functions: 

• Maintains, in collaboration with program coordinators, effective relationships with K-12 schools that allow students to have field experiences.
• Arranges necessary contracts between K-12 schools and Iowa State University to permit students to have field experience placements.
• Handles payments to cooperating teachers and provides state-required workshops for cooperating teachers.
• Coordinates ISU field experience supervisors (either employed or contracted) forpractica and student teaching experiences and provides organizational and training meetings for field experience supervisors.
• Supervises the distance and international student teaching sites.

Professionalism

University Teacher Education Program students are expected to exude a high level of professionalism during field experiences. Prior to select field experience placements, students will be asked to sign the following document that describes in detail expected behaviors and appearances:

Dispositions Document

Initiatives Involving PK-12 Schools

The University Teacher Education Program (UTEP) Field Experiences Office serves as the central point of contact for PK-12 schools. Funneling all contacts through this office will lead to better coordination and internal/external communication. All UTEP Faculty and Staff are expected to check with the Field Experiences Office (via in person, phone call, or email) before contacting schools for any new initiatives (such as research or practicum placements). The Director of Field Experiences will be able to inform the faculty/staff member that has an idea for an initiative involving schools about what field experiences are presently occurring in these schools, if this district has a current contract with ISU, who the preferred point of contact is for the school, and other valuable information that is integral for a smooth entrance.

Initiatives Involving PK-12 Schools

 

Practica

Student Teaching

International Student Teaching