VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY

SECONDARY TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Summary of Field Experience - EDFE 610
Year 6 Final Practicum

Student Name: James Parker VIU Student #:578270787

Date: December 15. 2017 Course Code: EDFE 610
Practicum School: VIU High School Program: PB 6
Grade(s)/Subject(s): ELA 11/12 COMM 12 School District: #68 Nanaimo- Ladysmith
Supervising Teacher(s): Mike Muir
Practicum Supervisor: Mike Ferguson Regional Coordinator: Dave Stupich

Context (school, class/teaching):

James Parker completed his Autumn 2017 practicum at The VIU International High School, a small-size urban
school in Nanaimo BC. He had three classes: English Language Arts 11; English Language Arts 12;
Communication Studies 12. The English Language Arts 11 class had fifteen students. This was a group that was
stratified in terms of language ability. Explaining conceptual themes required differing strategies to complete learning
objectives. The English Language Arts 12 class had nine students. The five Canadian students in the class
flourished. The three Chinese students struggled with the content and the ability to express complex concepts
due to a language barrier. The third class was a Communications class with five students. This was a high-energy
group with a very broad range of academic ability. Students in this class had responded well to projects and activities
that were differentiated and allowed for opportunities to meet or exceed the learning objectives.

Summary:

Standard 1 Educators value and care for all students and act in their best interests.

James has created a positive, safe, respectful and engaged working environment in his classes. He has used a broad
variety of teaching strategies, assessment techniques and activities that have engaged his students. In turn, his
students have been respectful to him. He greeted his students when they came into class. He used supportive pairings
to assist in student learning, worked to avoid any inter-student conflict and provided after class support.

Standard 2 Educators are role models who act ethically and honestly.

James has conducted himself in a professional and ethical manner over the course of the practicum. He has developed
a good connection with and an appreciation of the staff and the schools culture. He has maintained a firm and
friendly manner with his students which has enhanced the learning environment. He has also developed a positive
sense of his own autonomy as a classroom teacher.

Please provide a signed copy to Student / Field Experience Office

Education Office, Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5
Phone: 250-740-6223 Fax: 250-740-6463

Z:\EDUC.BOX\OFFICE\SCHEXP\MOODLE_CURRENT_MASTER FILES\yr_6\Yr 6_EDFE 610_Final Practicum.docx / REVISED June 2017

Standard 3 Educators understand and apply knowledge of student growth and development.

James used age, grade and culturally appropriate materials and language with his diverse classes. He was able to
make the transitions between his classes easily and effectively. He developed stronger and more grade appropriate
questioning techniques and language. He also provided students with some choices for learning activities and
differentiated learning opportunities. He brought a great many of his own experiences to class when he spoke about
the languages he knew and the places he had been.

Standard 4 Educators value the involvement and support of parents, guardians, families, and communities in schools.

James participated in the schools report card night talking to parents about their childrens progress and has emailed
parents to inform them of areas of concerns. He also successfully wrote three mock report cards which reflected
authentic data and were written in a style that was meant for parents.

Standard 5 Educators implement effective practices in areas of classroom management, planning, instruction,
assessment, evaluation, and reporting.

James developed a stronger teacher presence over the course of the practicum. He was well organized and had
detailed and varied lesson plans which always incorporated provincial curricula and learning outcomes. He used a
variety of teaching techniques including direct instruction, individual work, group work, drama and creative activities.
He made significant improvements in the scaffolding of his lessons. He moved around the class to monitor student
progress, address learning issues and maintain on task behaviour. He used technology and media in his teaching on
many occasions. He started his classes reviewing the previous lesson, asking for prior knowledge, and providing the
rationale for the days lesson. He ended his classes with review and checks for understanding. James used both
formative and summative assessment techniques as he gathered data for reporting purposes. He maintained a
flexible approach to his lesson plan and developed a growing awareness of how his students were managing which
enabled him to change his approach during the course of the lesson. He developed stronger questioning techniques as
his practicum progressed. He dealt with all classroom management issues in a calm and resolute manner maintaining
the dignity of the students and the integrity of the class.

Standard 6 Educators have a broad knowledge base and understand the subject areas they teach.

James is very competent in the teaching of English. He taught the new curriculum and adapted it to work with his
Communications 12 students.

Please provide a signed copy to Student / Field Experience Office

Education Office, Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5
Phone: 250-740-6223 Fax: 250-740-6463

Z:\EDUC.BOX\OFFICE\SCHEXP\MOODLE_CURRENT_MASTER FILES\yr_6\Yr 6_EDFE 610_Final Practicum.docx / REVISED June 2017

Standard 7 Educators engage in career-long learning.

James has participated in the schools staff meetings and associated professional development activities. He reflected
honestly and regularly about his teaching. He also sought the advice of his sponsors, supervisor and other colleagues
and used that advice to shape his teaching.

Standard 8 Educators contribute to the profession.

James began a board game club with two other teachers.

Concluding Comments:

James had a very good practicum. He demonstrated good, sound practice and successfully maintained student
engagement in well managed classes.

James Parker has / has not successfully met the requirement outcomes of EDFE
610 (Field Experience)

SIGNATURES:
James Parker (Student Teacher)
Mike Muir (Sponsor teacher)
Mike Ferguson (Practicum Supervisor)

Please provide a signed copy to Student / Field Experience Office

Education Office, Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5
Phone: 250-740-6223 Fax: 250-740-6463

Z:\EDUC.BOX\OFFICE\SCHEXP\MOODLE_CURRENT_MASTER FILES\yr_6\Yr 6_EDFE 610_Final Practicum.docx / REVISED June 2017