Guidelines for the Practicum, in Adult Education
The Practicum in Adult Education provides you with an opportunity for independent study and action. A practicum is an investigation of a defined problem in a content field selected by you. It provides for the practical application of the knowledge and skills gained from the required and elective courses taken in the CACE Program, and so should be taken near its completion. The practicum is an on-the-job project defined and described in a contract made by you with a staff advisor. The advisor supervises the project as it proceeds through regular consultation with you. The advisor will evaluate your work on a pass/fail basis. These guidelines will:
  1. Give you direction on what kind of project to work on.
  2. Show you the steps involved in completing the project.
  3. Outline the requirements for a proposal and final report.
  4. Outline the role of the project advisor.
  5. Provide some tips to help you with the project.

This guide will assist you in making the project a valuable learning experience.

Prerequisite: Program Administrator's approval is required before registering for the Practicum. Contact Sandy Stechisen, the Program Administrator at (204) 474-6685 or e-mail sandra_stechisen@umanitoba.ca to discuss the Prauticum and how to register for it. Web registration is unavailable for the Practicum.

The Praticum is either 35 or 50 hours elective credit in the CACE Program.
Except by agreement, the duration of a practicum will not exceed one calendar year. You may register for the practicum at any time during the year.

What Type of Project Should You Do?

The type of project you do will depend on your experiences, strengths, and interests. What special skills and knowledge do you already possess? What opportunities are available for you in the type of activities you are already doing? What resources are available in the community to make your task easier?

Here is a list of some possible projects:

  • Conduct an educational workshop related to your area of interest in adult/continuing education and evaluate the outcomes or impact of the workshop for participants.
  • Develop counselling resources at your place of work, (e.g., a career resource centre, or an employee counselling referral system and write a description of the resources and explain why you developed them in this way.
  • Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of an existing staff training program at your workplace or another employment location that you can arrange to assess.

What is the estimated number of hours to complete the project?

(Practicum projects may be for 35 or 50 hours elective credit. Typically you will spend about 70 hours preparing the proposal, compiling the data, and writing, for a 35 hour elective credit and 100 hours for a 50 hour elective credit.)

WORK INVOLVED:
PRACTICUM LENGTH
(35 HOURS)
PRACTICUM LENGTH (50 HOURS)
Consultation with advisor
3 hours
3.5 hours
Writing the project
4 hours
5 hours
Developing/piloting the program (Workshop, course)
50 hours
65 hours

Project Steps and Checklist

Here are 12 steps to complete a project.

  1. Read these guidelines to ensure your understanding of the practicum.
  2. Develop an idea for a project.
  3. Call the CACE Program Director or Administrator to discuss your idea and the selection of your advisor.
  4. Contact your advisor to discuss your idea.
  5. Write a specific proposal of what you intend to do. (See Below: “Questions to Answer in Writing a Proposal”)
  6. Submit the proposal to the advisor.
  7. Receive feedback from the advisor.
  8. Conduct the project.
  9. Receive feedback from the advisor during the project.
  10. Prepare a final report of the project (See Below: “Questions to Answer in Writing the Final Report,”)
  11. Submit two copies of the report: one to the advisor, the other to the CACE Program Administrator, Extended Education.
  12. Meet for a final evaluation with your advisor.

Requirements for the Proposal and Final Report

Questions to Answer in the Proposal

  1. How does your project relate to the Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education Program?
  2. What is your general aim in undertaking the project?
  3. What are your specific goals?
  4. What will you do to accomplish your goals?
  5. How will you evaluate your performance in the project?
  6. What special factors are important in the project? (e.g., an on-site supervisor, special needs)

Questions to Answer in the Final Report

  1. Did you achieve your goal?
  2. What have you learned from the project?
  3. How have you applied your knowledge from the program to the project?
  4. What were the project's strengths?
  5. How would you improve the project or your performance?

Program Advisor’s Role

The program advisor will:

  1. Provide feedback for you at all stages of the project: upon initial consultation, after receiving a formal proposal, during the project, and upon completion of the project.
  2. Help you identify your strengths and limitations.
  3. Ensure that your project demonstrates knowledge and application of skills learned in the CACE Program.
  4. Request an on-site supervisor if appropriate.
  5. Ensure that you conduct a project that follows the University of Manitoba’s ethical guidelines.
  6. Help you to complete the project in the time indicated.

Tips for a Successful Project

  1. When in doubt about how to proceed, ask your advisor or the CACE Program Administrator.
  2. Use brainstorming and creative thinking to generate an idea for the type of project you would like to do. Don’t settle for your first idea until you’ve examined some options.
  3. Be realistic about how much you can accomplish in the hours indicated.
  4. Prevent the project from stretching over too long a time period; the longer the project takes the higher the probability of not completing it.
  5. Make maximum use of the time with your advisor by being prepared to raise particular concerns and requesting specific feedback.
  6. The practicum is designed to help you apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the whole Program. Therefore you should frame the project as a challenging opportunity to demonstrate to yourself and your advisor what you have learned.
  7. Although your work may be serious, try to enjoy working on it.

Students who have successfully completed courses in the CACE Program can benefit from doing an applied project. These guidelines will help you to understand what is involved in conducting and completing the project. There is a lot of detail in these guidelines, so refer to them often. Your success will depend on the ability and the effort you put into the project.