What is collaborative learning?
I really need this course but I don't have the prerequisite yet; what can I do?
Can I work during the semester?
What if I find I am having difficulty with the assignments in the first term?
What is a practicum
How long is a practicum?
How do faculty decide who goes where on their practicum?
Why didn't I get the practicum setting I requested?
Can I do a practicum where I work?
I completed a practicum for another program at Douglas; can I get credit for a practicum based on this experience?
My practicum site wants a copy of my Criminal Record Search results. Do I have to do this again?
The stress of being a student is really getting to me. What can I do?
I got a summer job in the Youth Justice field, can I work during the second year of the program?
What is collaborative learning?
Collaborative learning acknowledges that you, as a learner, are much more than a passive student in a classroom. In collaborative learning you actively participate in both your own learning and that of your classmates. You have ideas, insights and experiences to share as do your classmates and your instructor. Many of your classes will consist of short lectures on a topic followed by opportunities to explore the issue in exercises or small group discussions.
I really need this course but I don't have the prerequisite yet; what can I do?
You can speak to the course instructor. Instructors enter a Prerequisite Waiver. That will allow you to register if there is space in the course and you have a valid reason for not having the prerequisite and the instructor is convinced that your lack of the prerequisite will not cause you to struggle in the course.
Can I work during the semester?
Working is a necessity for many students and a fact of life. However, it is your responsibility to make your class schedule and work schedule compatible. This is particularly important with practicums . If you have registered for a practicum you need to be available for that practicum. This will require some planning and budgeting. We are committed to our responsibility to provide you with the opportunities for a quality education. However, you won't be able to take full advantage of those opportunities if your schedule has too many commitments. The first term is particularly challenging as classes are compressed into a busy 10-week period and then you have a five-week full-time practicum as well as Friday classes on campus.
What if I find I am having difficulty with the assignments in the first term?
For many adult learners it takes time to get used to returning to school and the study routine. Students recently out of high school may find the transition to college difficult at times. Learners feel pressure to complete assignments or struggle with essays or to prepare for exams. First of all, be sure you are clear on the nature of the assignment and what you are being asked to do. All of the instructors are very approachable. We have office hours and can talk with you at class times about the assignments. Going over the assignment guide individually with the instructor will often clarify what you need to do.
Douglas College has a very good Learning Centre where you can get individual tutoring help. The times in the centre fill up early in the term. You will need a referral form filled out by the instructor of the course where you want the extra assistance.
What is a practicum?
A practicum is a work placement in an appropriate setting that gives you the opportunity to practice the skills you've learned in the program and get hands-on experience before you graduate. There are two practicums in the Youth Justice Program. The first is at the end of the first semester and the second is at the end of the fourth semester.
How long is a practicum?
The duration of a practicum is 150 hours at the practicum site plus 10 hours of seminar. Sometimes it is not possible to complete the required hours within the time set aside for practicum. If that is the case at your practicum site, speak to your College practicum supervisor.
How do faculty decide who goes where on their practicum?
The process is fairly straightforward. We gather up all the practicum request forms and go through them in no particular order. (if you haven't submitted a practicum request, there will be problems!). We look at the type of setting the student is asking for, their geographic location, their transportation, any ongoing courses they may have and any previous work or practicum experiences. If we feel that the request is academically sound and that the student is capable of working in that type of setting we focus our collective brainpower (all six watts) and our collective experience (too many years to count) on coming up with an appropriate placement. At this point the placement is tentative. We divide the placements between the faculty who will be supervising and they phone the agencies to see if a placement is possible. At times, some agencies may not be available for practicum placements. We will do our best to meet your practicum requests, but this is not always possible.
Why didn't I get the practicum setting I requested?
The site that is requested is not always available. This may be due to a wide range of circumstances. There may be no one at the site who is available to supervise a student at this time. The site may be dealing with important internal issues that have to take precedence over a practicum student. Faculty may feel that the site is not the best learning experience for you at this time or that the site is more appropriate for a second or third practicum. The site may have recently had a problematic placement and wants to take a break for a while. There may have been more requests for the site than they are able to accommodate.
Can I do a practicum where I work?
You may be able to do a practicum at your place of employment if the setting is seen as appropriate and your employer is willing to cooperate. You should be aware that doing a practicum at your workplace might well put your performance under greater scrutiny from your employer than currently exists.
I completed a practicum for another program at Douglas; can I get credit for a practicum based on this experience?
You may receive Advanced Standing for one practicum if you had a successful placement in a youth justice setting. Please discuss your situation with one of the Coordinators .
My practicum site wants a copy of my Criminal Record Search results. Do I have to do this again?
Different settings have different requirements. Some will accept a copy of the Criminal Record Search (CRS) you submitted to the college. If that is the case you can ask for a copy from the Registrar's office. Faculty never see your Criminal Record Search. If you are required to do another CRS you may have to take a form to your local police department. They may charge a fee for the record search (some do not charge for volunteer services). Some agencies will require that they complete the CRS through a centralized record system. It is critical that you complete the CRS in a timely manner. In many settings you may not be able to start or work directly with youth until the CRS is completed.
The stress of being a student is really getting to me. What can I do?
The first thing you need to do is keep the lines of communication open with your instructors. They will do what they can to help you manage. In some cases faculty can complete an Incomplete Grade contract with you. This contract gives you a mutually agreed upon date to complete the outstanding work. It is important to remember that Faculty can only work with you if you work with them. If you don't inform them about your situation, don't hand assignments in or don't show up for class, there is nothing faculty can do but submit the grade you have achieved.
The second thing you can do is use the counselling that is available through Student Services . This confidential service is free to you as a College student. Students who have used this service in the past have found it very helpful.
Many of the faculty in the department have counselling training and experience. It is important to remember that while they may have the skills, their role at the College is instructing, not counselling.
I got a summer job in the Youth Justice field, can I work during the second year of the program?
As discussed before , working is a necessity for many students and a fact of life. Many students find the second year of the program to be stressful. The more you can do to be organized the better you will be able to deal with the stress. Remember to be clear about your priorities and be sure you stay on track for a successful experience in the program.