ETEC 565P: MET Practicum

Description

Experiential learning opportunities such as practicums are intentional applied and reflective educational opportunities that “highlight the power of experience” in the learning process (Roberts, 2012). They do not simply task learners with make-work projects in the wider community or workplace, but instead offer experiences that are deliberate in their pedagogical and philosophical design.

The MET practicum offers you an opportunity to complete a valuable experiential learning project as part of your MET degree, through placement with an academic or community partner engaged in eLearning development, educational technology integration or other work relevant to educational technology. Project partners host and supervise a practicum student, and benefit from their eLearning expertise.

A MET practicum is worth 3 credits and demands roughly 130 hours of work – equivalent to the average workload of a standard MET course.

Eligibility

ETEC 565P projects are only available to students enrolled in the full MET degree program.

Like all MET courses, ETEC 565P courses are worth 3 credits. Normally, students are advised to limit the total number of ETEC 580/565P credits to 6.

Typically, students are expected to have successfully completed at least six ETEC courses, including all core courses, before applying for an ETEC 565P project placement.

If you have more questions about a MET practicum or your eligibility, contact the MET Academic Advisor or the MET Practicum Coordinator.

Learning Objectives

ETEC 565P Practicum projects are made possible to enable you to:

  • Explore the relationship between academic theory and best practice acquired in MET coursework, and their application in professional practice;
  • Increase your understanding of workplace cultures in contexts where eLearning or learning technologies are employed;
  • Enhancing your professional network;
  • Gain a more nuanced understanding of the professional, communicative and workplace realities and challenges in relation to learning technology and eLearning development;
  • Gain new professional experience relating to MET learning, and clarify your professional goals;
  • Build leadership, technical, communication and professional skills;
  • Increase your confidence in your own professional skills and knowledge;
  • Improve problem-solving, critical thinking, research, communication, and teamwork skills;
  • Develop and demonstrate skills that will augment your professional record.

How to find a practicum placement

Normally, practicum opportunities are advertised to current MET students, inviting applications. Project partners will then select the applicant(s) who they feel are the best fit for their project.

You may also propose a practicum project with a partner that you have identified yourself, but it is recommended that you consult with the MET Practicum Coordinator about this before proceeding with proposal writing.

Possible practicum projects

MET practicum projects typically involve collaboration with an individual or group. Available projects may include curriculum design or development, educational multimedia development, eLearning design, advising on educational technology integration, or supervised eLearning research. New projects and types of project become available regularly.

Your responsibilities

If you wish to include a 565P Practicum project in your program of study, watch for announcements of available practicum opportunities and submit your application as directed in the project description. You are invited to consult with the MET Practicum Coordinator at any time, to discuss options.

Once you have been selected to take up a practicum placement with a project partner you are responsible for consulting with your new partner/supervisor to clearly outline your practicum project plan. Complete and sign the ETEC 565P Practicum Project Proposal form and submit it to the MET Practicum Coordinator.

The practicum project proposal should include the following:

  • Statement of purpose and objectives for the practicum project (include a working title).
  • Practicum schedule (describe the form and frequency of student-partner consultations; also, specify the timeframe [e.g., number of weeks] over which the practicum will take place).
  • Expected outcomes and outputs (indicate the expected format and due dates for primary project milestones).
  • Assessment plan (list all components of grading, along with weighting and criteria).

Registering for ETEC 565P

You cannot register for a 565P Practicum directly; you must do so through the MET Program. To register for a 565P Practicum, you must have approval from both the MET Practicum Coordinator and the MET Academic Advisor. Once approved, your form will be submitted to the MET Graduate Program Assistant at met.support@ubc.ca, who will then register you in the course and put a copy of the signed form in your file.

Note that all registration-related deadlines listed in the University Calendar apply to 565P Practicum projects.