Placement Learning Contracts

Written requirements:

There are several written requirements for the practicum course. Please note, that the requirements outlined below do not include any of the written requirements of your specific practicum agency.

Within the first week of your placement, you will begin drafting your learning contract.

Your role is to develop a list of learning objectives and to present these to your Field Instructor to determine whether there are activities within the agency and within your scope as a student to fulfill these objectives. The learning contract serves the important function of mapping out the student’s learning objectives, associated tasks, and evaluation measures. It is important for you to view this document as a tool to provide focus and to guide your work in the agency. This document will be the main focus of the conversation at the first faculty liaison meeting.

Some pointers for you:

• Start by considering what it is you want to achieve
• State learning objectives clearly and concretely
• Consider both practice skills and knowledge to be gained
• Be realistic with regard to the time and resources available
• Review another student’s contract and generate ideas together
• Create questions to help you prepare learning objectives:
• Review the agency mandate and the services offered
• What is it you would like to know by the end of this placement?
• What is it you would like to do by the end of this placement?
• What tasks/activities will help you in your learning?
• What kind of feedback might be helpful in evaluating your performance?

As a written requirement of the practicum course, you are expected to complete the learning contract in advance of the first meeting with the Faculty Liaison and the Field Instructor. You are responsible for this document to be properly loaded into the IPT system. The faculty liaison will review the contract to ensure activities will meet the social work program requirements.

Mid-term and final evaluations

The mid-term and final evaluation is most often completed by the Field Instructor and the student as a joint process. It is the responsibility of you to consult with the Field Instructor to determine a process for completion of these evaluations in a timely manner. Field Instructors can choose to complete the evaluation independently or in consultation with you. You must include comments on the evaluation and submit via IPT.