Practicum 1

Module outline

The purpose of this unit is to provide the student with the opportunity to consolidate and integrate their learning by application of theory and skills in an appropriate workplace setting under supervision. Students are also provided with guided opportunities to practise and develop their personal attributes and generic workplace skills. This unit provides the foundation for competent professional practice and is a prerequisite for Practicum 2 .

In Practicum 1 the student is required to demonstrate a range of generic personal attributes such as honesty and integrity, reliability, positive self-esteem, ability to deal with pressure, together with generic workplace skills such as initiative and enterprise, problem solving, team work, self-management. Throughout this unit, students are encouraged to reflect on their own behaviour and that of others observed in their workplace. They are guided and assessed in respect to these skills to assist them to become self-reflective practitioners. They are also encouraged to develop their own professional support network. Under supervision, students practice a range of skills and apply the theories relevant to their particular program of study.

Learning outcomes

• Develop, negotiate and regularly and critically self-assess a learning contract
• Demonstrate, by way of a personal attribute portfolio, personal attributes that contribute to the student's overall employability and operation as a competent professional
• Understand the importance of, and actively seek professional support
• With reference to the student's particular program of study, apply the relevant theories and skills under supervision in a workplace setting
• Reflect on their performance in the workplace and devise strategies for ongoing professional development

Content areas

Practicum 1 is undertaken over a six-month or two-term period of time. The student participates in fortnightly group supervision sessions conducted on campus or through discussion board activities in flexible delivery modes of learning:

• Introduction to learning contracts, STAR model and professional skills / personal attributes portfolios, and the role and importance of supervision
• Review of prior learning relevant to the specific work placement and capitalising on workplace learning opportunities
• Review of personal attributes and how they are demonstrated in the workplace and review of workplace and professional skills and how they are demonstrated in the workplace
• Critical reflection, personal attributes portfolio

During the second 12 weeks of the Practicum, the following topics are covered:

• Case presentation skills, Multiculturalism in the workplace, Ethics and legal issues in the workplace
• Developing and maintaining professional support networks, Critical reflection, professional skills portfolio
• Evaluation of placement and practicum experiences

  Practicum duration and workload:
  Practicum 1 involves a total of 270 hours of study with a Credit Point Rating of 18 cps. Total duration and workload includes 200 hours of supervised practicum experience in a placement context, 36 hours of group and/or individual supervision and 34 hours of self-directed study, reading, research and assessment-related activities.