Alternative Practicum Placements

The topic for the Alternative Practicum should be consistent with one of the goals of your particular Focus course (FOCI). For example, if you are in the program focus course that looks at exceptional learners, then you should be exploring a topic related to exceptional learners.

Your program focus instructor will facilitate and approve your topic and location, and can also supply you with a letter of introduction that may help you in obtaining a placement.  As well, an on-line database of past location and activities is available in the ENook computer kiosks (located beside the Auditorium), the second and third floor kiosks, the Educ Tuck Shop (B137c), and the Computer lab in B217.  Instructions on how to access the database is listed on the back of the Practicum Office Deadlines and Checklist form (Keeping in the Know) in the practicum package handed out on the first day.

Note: certain PJ teacher candidates are not in a focus course. In that situation, the topic should be consistent with your Educational Studies (EDST) course, your Foundations (FOUN) course, or a topic addressed in Professional Studies (PROF) 100 or PROF 155. Meetings for PJ candidates not in a program focus course will be scheduled. The Practicum Office can also supply you with a letter of introduction that may help you in obtaining a placement. The Practicum Manager will need to approve your topic and confirm the intended location of your alternative practicum. Most approvals can be obtained via electronic conversations without the need for a face-to-face meeting.

Practicum Manager's Presentation, September 10, 2013

The Online Alternative Practicum Arrangement Form

Candidates able to submit the information during on-campus weeks are encouraged to do so. Candidates must adhere to District School Board Protocol List when arranging an Alternative Practicum in an Ontario School.

December 6, 2013 Deadline: for candidates who plan to go to a school in an Ontario School Board for which the Practicum Office must make the request on your behalf (EDU on Board Protocol List).  The Practicum Office will email you directly once confirmation from the District School Board has been obtained (the approval of the FOCI instructor or designate does not mean the placement has been approved by the District School Board).

January 17, 2014 Deadline: for candidates in all other placement settings including Ontario School Boards with SCH on the Board Protocol List.

• On-line Alternative Practicum Arrangement Form

You will receive an email immediately confirming submission of the information. Your FOCI instructor or designate will approve or reject your placement by email.

Alternative Practicum Package

You must print the following three forms to take to your Host for the Alternative Practicum.

Thank You Letter for Host

As a courtesy, print the following Thank You letter to give to the Host(s) of your Alternative Practicum.  You are a guest in their facility and the faculty would like to thank them for their participation on your behalf.  The letter also describes the requirement of the Education Placement Agreement form and the purpose of the Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form.

• Thank You letter

The Education Placement Agreement Form

For liability and insurance purposes, Queen's University Environmental Health and Safety department requires that this form is to be completed by all teacher candidates, signed by all parties and returned to the Practicum Office, with a copy kept on file at the Host School or Institution, on or before the first day of placement.

• Education Placement Agreement Form Template (how to complete the form)
• Education Placement Agreement Form 

Record of Alternative Practicum Experience Form

Upon completion of the Alternative Practicum, this form must be completed by the Host of the Alternative Practicum. This form outlines the tasks and duties completed, as well as the number of hours completed.

• Record of Alternative Practicum Experience Form

Teacher candidates must submit this form to both the Practicum Office, and the FOCI instructor or designate. This form, along with the summative assessments from each of the practicum components, will be used to assign your mark for PRAC 190/191. Your FOCI instructor or designate, will submit your mark for the FOCI course based on assignments, and the Record of Alternative Practicum Experience form.

Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy Planning Procedure

Candidates who arrange an Alternative Practicum placement out of Canada must complete and submit the on-line 'Off-Campus Activity Safety Policy' Planning Procedure (OCASP) "high risk activity".

Travel to urban areas of the United States may qualify as a Low-Risk setting if the locality entails hazards no greater than those likely to be encountered by the participants in their everyday lives in Canada. In particular, there are no current, nor have there been any recent, Travel Warnings issued by DFAIT for the United States, and the DFAIT Travel Reports identify no hazards other than those which would be reasonably anticipated in urban Canada; and travel to and from the locality of the activity does not involve passage via a “higher-risk” locality.

Once a candidate has received approval from the FOCI instructor (or designate) for a placement out of country (assuming compliance with DFAIT), arrangements can be made for travel and accommodation. OCASP approval must still be given.

It is highly recommended that candidates get cancellation insurance.

• OCASP Quick Reference Sheet for Teacher Candidates in the Faculty of Education who are planning for an Alternative Practicum
• OCASP and Emergency Support Program Presentations:  January 8, 2014, 1:30-3:30.  A PowerPoint of the presentations will be available on-line after January 8.
• OCASP Online Form

*It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure they meet all entry requirements for the country in which they plan to complete the Alternative Practicum. Tourist Visa requirements is listed on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) website under the "Entry/Exit Requirements" tab.

Candidates arranging the Alternative Practicum in an Ontario school (excluding private) must check and adhere to the Ontario Board Protocol List for the board in which you want to arrange a placement.

Candidates wanting a placement in a board which indicates EDU as the Board Protocol must submit the request through the Practicum Office by December 6, 2013. If a placement is requested and confirmed in an EDU board, the candidate must accept that placement. Candidates should not request an EDU board, then arrange another placement elsewhere. Candidates are encouraged to have a back-up plan in case a District School Board cannot accommodate the request, however if the board confirms a placement, it will take precedence.

Candidates pursuing an Alternative Practicum outside of Ontario, but still within Canada will make arrangements directly with a Host School or institution. Some schools boards in other provinces require an official request for a placement from the Practicum Office. In these cases, the candidate must provide contact information of the person with whom the Practicum Office must make arrangements. In some cases school boards in other provinces charge a fee for arranging a placement, including one that is not formally assessed. Candidates must bear any costs associated with placements in other provinces.

Candidates who arrange an Alternative Practicum placement in the Canadian north or in a placement or activity that has the potential to expose you to hazards that are significantly greater than those likely to be encountered in your everyday life, must complete and submit the on-line Off-Campus Safety Procedure (OCASP) Form "high risk activity". The risks include:

• limited access to medical services and/or 911 coverage
• access to medical services and/or 911 coverage
• regions with natural hazards such as rugged terrain
• the potential for avalanches or extreme cold
• the potential to come across wild animals
• working at heights or in construction/industrial areas
• environmental or health risks
• working with inmates/young offenders

First, you need to check the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) website to ensure that the country and region of the country you are intending to travel to is safe. In the "Advisories" section, if the country or the region of the country has a warning of Avoid non-essential travel or Avoid all travel then Queen’s will not approve the Alternative Practicum placement. Complete the Off-Campus Safety Procedure (OCASP) Form once your placement has been arranged and approved.

Alternative Practicum Travel Fellowship

For anyone considering an international Alternative Practicum, there is travel fellowship that can be used for partial financial support. Please note that funds may not be used for travel within Canada. For full details and application forms, see Elliott/Upitis/Bamji Travel Fellowships.

The first step in the process is to determine financial eligibility, and the deadline for that initial application is Tuesday, September 24, 2013. You do not need to have your placement arranged for this initial step in the process.

Candidates can investigate options for an Alternative Practicum by viewing previous alternative placements. This information is available in a database, which can be accessed from the ENook computer kiosks (located beside the Auditorium), the Educ Tuck Shop (B137c), and the Computer lab in B217 and the computer kiosks on the second and third floors. 

The instructions are as follows:

• at the ‘start menu’ (bottom left corner) go to ‘All Programs’ and select ‘FileMaker Pro’
• the ‘Open New or Existing File’ box will appear – select ‘Remote’ (bottom right)
• in the ‘Hosts’ box, select FILEMAKERSERVER (130.15.120.51)
• the ‘Available Files’ box should appear on the right
• select ‘Alt_Prac_Database’ and hit ‘open’ (bottom right)
• the ‘Open Alt_Prac_Database’ box should appear
• the Account name is ‘AltPrac’
• the password is ‘altprac’