Fieldwork (Student Information)

Douglas College Bachelor of Physical Education & Coaching (BPEC) believes in "learn by doing" and where better to learn, than in the actual employment sites students are training and preparing for.  It is this ideology that provides the framework for the BPEC Fieldwork courses, whereby students are paired with mentors in the community.  Placements provide students with the opportunity to observe, assist, dialogue on educational issues and network with experts in the field.
 
BPEC students are required to do eight 15-hour supervised placements in a K-12 school or sport club, with a mentor teacher or coach, in three environments:

• physical education
• coaching and
• classroom.

Students can have direct input on their fieldwork placement, i.e. type of environment, geographical location and site supervisor selection.  The purpose of fieldwork is for students to gain valuable experience and to professionally network within your career path.

Fieldwork course requirements:

• attendance at three class seminars (beginning, middle and end of the semester)
• complete 15 hours under the supervision of the site supervisor or designate
• four journals completed online
• four assignments completed online
• two evaluations from site supervisor: midterm and final.

Fieldwork assignments require students to complete work, discuss their completed works and obtain two comments from their site supervisor, pertaining to the student's work and/or performance.  This discussion is where learning can take place between student and site supervisor i.e. a sharing of strengths, weaknesses, observations and dialogue on educational issues.

There is no Douglas College Faculty visitation at the site and therefore it is a student-led course with Site Supervisor monitoring performance. Evaluation of Fieldwork is competency-based, if the students has met all competencies they earn a 'Mastery' (MAS) grade, unsuccessful students earn a 'Non-Mastery' (NM) grade.

Fieldwork Student Responsibilities:

• Full-time and part-time students must enrol in a Fieldwork course every semester.
• To attend and participate in all three Fieldwork seminars at the College, for discussions and evaluation of the learning from Site.
• To log onto Blackboard online Fieldwork course at least twice a week to check email and see course postings.
• To review four assignments/journals and identify ways to meet them.
• To take copies of Criminal Record Search, active First Aid/CPR certification and Academic Timetable to the first meeting at Site and leave copies with the Site Supervisor.
• To complete the "Contract" and "Planned Hours" form as a commitment to the fieldwork site and the College.  Supply a copy to both Site Supervisor and Fieldwork Placement Coordinator.
• To actively pursue learning experiences in the school/club and to accept responsibility for learning outcomes.
• To seek appropriate supervision in the performance of leadership skills from the Site Supervisor.
• To follow the Douglas College and site policies.
• To bring problems to the attention of the Site Supervisor and instructor.

Prior to beginning their fieldwork hours, BPEC students must complete a criminal record search and have an active First Aid and CPR certification on file at the Sport Science Department office.

Fieldwork First Aid Requirements

ALL students must have an up-to-date First Aid and CPR Certification every semester.

BPEC students entering the degree program in their first year must have valid First Aid and CPR certification thereby enabling students to lead and interact with school-aged children in their Fieldwork safely and responsibly. Proof of First Aid and CPR Certification must be submitted to the Sport Science Department (Office 1300F) upon commencement of the degree program.

Continuing BPEC students are personally responsible to check expiry date of their First Aid and CPR Certification and to be recertified if required. Proof of recertification of First Aid and CPR Certification must be submitted to the Sport Science Department (Office 1300F). This recertification will allow BPEC students to be placed at fieldwork sites, to continue to work with K-12 students/athletes and to meet the graduation requirement of having an active First Aid Certification at the time of Graduation.

Acceptable First Aid Courses:

1. Emergency First Aid with CPR: Emergency First Aid (2 or 3 year expiry) - CPR (1 year expiry)
Learn how to recognize and respond to emergencies until professional help arrives. This one-day course walks the student through treatments for critical interventions such as airway, breathing and circulatory emergencies. This course also covers shock, burns, poisonings and emergencies relating to sudden illness including heart attack, strokes and seizures.

2. Standard First Aid with CPR: Standard First Aid (2 or 3 year expiry) - CPR (1 year expiry)
The Standard First Aid Workplace course provides the latest in workplace First Aid and CPR. This course is two days or 16 full hours and includes emergency response principles, adult airway, breathing, circulatory emergencies and treatments. This course also provides thorough delivery of WCB standard treatments for illness, disease and the required documentation.

3. Other First Aid Certification Courses:
The Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching degree program at Douglas College will accept certification from any first aid course with at least 6 hours of contact time and Level B or C CPR certification only. National Lifeguard Society (NLS) training provides more than sufficient equivalencies.