Fieldwork (Supervisor Information)

Where can students be placed?

• Elementary schools with a teacher teaching PE, with a teacher coaching or with a generalist teacher
• Secondary/Middle schools with a PE specialist, with a teacher coaching, with a science/biology teacher
• Sport organizations who employ level III coaches and have "recreation" level athletes or have "elite" level athletes
• Private or public recreation facilities that provide group or individual programming.

How do I become a site supervisor?

• Complete and return a "fieldwork placement commitment form" (downloadable pdf version).
• The fieldwork placement coordinator will match student to placement.
• The fieldwork placement coordinator will inform site supervisor and student of placement by either mail or email. A fieldwork handbook, assignment overview, sample evaluation and timeline will be included.
• Student and site supervisor will meet in the third week of the semester (September or January) to sign a fieldwork contract and planned fieldwork hours sheet and to review fieldwork assignments. Students lead this discussion.

How long are fieldworks?
The students in the Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching degree program at Douglas College are required to do a 15-hour supervised volunteer placement in the following environments: physical education, coaching, science/biology and classroom. Students complete one fieldwork placement in each of their eight academic terms. If you are a coach, teacher, program leader, or individual who works teaching or coaching children, our students may be able to work alongside you.

What are my responsibilities?
The fieldwork model is based on experiential learning, there is no supervision or visitation from College Faculty and the course is graded on a Mastery basis. As a fieldwork site supervisor, your responsibility will be to:

• Commit to taking student(s) in either the fall or winter semester, or both.
• Once a student is assigned to you, make yourself available for an initial meeting (approximately 1 hour) to get to know your student and determine the goals and schedule for the fieldwork.
• Work with the student providing ongoing feedback to ensure that their experience is a positive learning one and meets the stated goals of that level of program and student.
• At the end of the semester, fill in a two-page student evaluation.

What can I expect from students?
All students have had a criminal record search completed and have an active First Aid /CPR certification. Student experiences fall across four years of the Bachelor's Degree and the expectations placed on them relate to their current year and the learning outcomes of that placement. Student expectations are more fully described in your fieldwork handbook when you become a site supervisor.

Sample Learning Outcomes by Year
Year 1 students

• Demonstrate respectful communication practices.
• Analyze the individual roles and responsibilities present in a learning activity.
• Implement directions and follow orders related to assigned tasks.
• Reflect on his or her ability to follow directions.

Year 2 students

• Demonstrate respectful communication practices.
• Analyze the organizational components of a learning activity including: group size, environment, policies and procedures.
• Design a drill or activity for a target audience with the support of a mentor.
• Implement a learning activity with support.
• Reflect on the successes and short-comings of an implemented activity.

Year 3 students

• Demonstrate professional characteristics related to the preparation and implementation of single sessions.
• Perform task analyses of individual learning activities.
• Design, implement and evaluate a learning session.
• Demonstrate personal leadership characteristics relating to self confidence and adaptability.

Year 4 students

• Demonstrate personal and professional networking skills.
• Analyze personal leadership styles and group management processes.
• Design, implement and evaluate a group of sessions such as a micro-cycle, unit plan or series of sessions.
• Demonstrate social leadership characteristics relating to teamwork, developing others and organizational political awareness.

How many students are available?
Each term, there are approximately 140 students who need to be placed. We try to determine these placements in July for September placements, and November for January placements.

How do I get more information?
Please feel free to contact:

Winnie McKitrick, Fieldwork Placement Coordinator
604-527-5817
mckitrw@douglas.bc.ca

Alison Gill, Fieldwork Faculty Supervisor
604-527-5693
gilla@douglas.bc.ca