Practice Year 1, 1-7
In the first year of study, the student shall observe, plan, implement and evaluate teaching in collaboration with fellow students under the guidance of teaching practice supervisors and tutors. Teaching practice shall be supervised, varied and assessed. It should demonstrate the students' development and acquisition of skills and necessary knowledge within the relevant school subjects, as well as their preparation for the teaching profession. Observation linked to both supervised and unsupervised teaching practice.
The main themes for teaching practice in the first year are the role and work of the teacher and the teacher's facilitation of learning and development. This includes:
- Development of one's own teacher identity and relationship skills
- Class management
- Planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching.
University handbooks "Teaching Practice Manual" and "Competency Guide for Teaching Practice", elaborate on content, organization and evaluation of teaching practice.
The formulation of learning outcomes for teaching practice must be seen in the context of the formulation of learning outcomes in the subjects in the teacher education programme. The programme shall ensure the provision of both content and progression in teaching practice studies. Upon completion of the first year of the programme, the candidate shall have achieved the following learning outcomes:
KNOWLEDGE
The candidate:
- has knowledge about the tasks and roles of the teacher in the school.
- has knowledge about the role of the class teacher, classroom management, communication and relationship building.
SKILLS
The candidate:
- can plan, implement and evaluate teaching on the basis of national and local plans
- can guide good learning processes based on different working methods and goals for teaching
- can articulate their own opinions in written reflections
- can use observation as a pedagogical tool in the classroom
- can assume responsibility for parts of a teaching session
- can interact and connect with pupils as well as colleagues/peers
GENERAL COMPETENCY
The candidate:
- has begun the development of a clear teacher identity, as well as communication and relationship skills based on a professional-ethical perspective
- is conscious of the ethical dimension of the teaching role
- Partnership meetings
- A reflection seminar
- Students' evaluation of the teaching practice periods
- Attendance
- Routines if there are doubts about passing teaching practice
In the first year, the student will complete 30 days of practical training in the upper level of primary school, divided into 10 days in the autumn semester and 20 days in the spring. In the first year, the student will also undertake at least five days of specially-adapted observation in the primary school, and participate in a reflection seminar. The students will normally be at the same school for teaching practice in both semesters. In addition to supervised teaching practice, various types of non-supervised practice related to the teaching subjects may be required. These are described in the course and semester plans for the individual teaching subjects. Examples of such teaching practice are observations, data collection, "sole-responsibility" days and trials in the school.
Detailed plans for content, work requirements, the implementation of teaching practice and deadlines for submissions and feedback are discussed in "Competency Guide for Teaching Practice (Kompetanseguide for praksis)".
The teaching practice is assessed on a pass/fail basis.
In order to pass the practicum, the student - after a comprehensive assessment - must have attained the learning outcomes of the practicum, maintained 100% attendance, and completed, with an "Approved" grade, all of the assignments specified in the competency guidelines ("Kompetanseguide"). Absences or assignments missing approval will automatically result in failure. Students who fail the practicum must undertake an entirely new practicum.
New/re-scheduled examination:
According to the "Regulations governing studies and examinations at Nord University", students have the right to two attempts at the examination in teaching practice. In the event that the student fails to pass the first attempt, the student must wait until the next time the same practice period is conducted in order to take the re-scheduled examination. The student must apply in writing at the start of the applicable semester in order to undertake a new teaching practice. The re-scheduled teaching practice will be carried out according to the same guidelines as ordinary teaching practice. The student will receive a written notification if they do not pass.
