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THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: FIELD EXPERIENCES

The Department of Education believes that real life experience in actual classrooms is one of the most important aspects of the teacher preparation program. Field-based experiences provide Lourdes teacher candidates with meaningful classroom opportunities where they are able to put theory and knowledge into action.

Lourdes teacher candidates participate in diverse experiences relative to demographic locations, cultures, racial and ethnic backgrounds and diversity of child abilities and needs.

The progression of field experiences culminates with student teaching which is designed to be the most valuable and intense learning experience prior to graduation.

Each program EDE (Early), EDM (Middle) and AYA (Adolescence to Young Adult) has four structured experiences.

  1. EDU 100 Observation
    (2) One day experiences
    Teacher candidates observe teachers, in two separate settings, to determine if teaching is their appropriate career choice, to reflect upon the level at which they may prefer to teach, and to determine what professional development would be most useful to becoming the teacher they desire to be
  2. EDA/M/E 250 SL General Methods
    (Min. 30 hours) 6 day experience
    Teacher candidates examine various instructional methods and complete focused, classroom observations. Candidates interact with individual and small groups of students and co-teach lessons. This course requires 10 hours of Service Learning to be conducted at the placement site
  3. EDA 351-5/ EDM/EDE 350 Methods
    (5) Week experience
    Teacher candidates learn and practice content specific methods in their licensure area(s). Candidates observe, interact with students, and co-teach lessons. Candidates complete a modified Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA)
  4. EDA/M/E 490 Student Teaching
    (15) Week experience
    Teacher candidates participate in an intensive field experience in which they put into practice the skills and competencies of effective teaching. Candidates observe, interact with students, co-teach lessons and complete a full Teacher Performance Assessment (edTDA).

For more information about Field Education, contact:

Therese Hernandez, M.A., M.S.
Coordinator of Clinical and Field Experiences
Education Division, College of Social Sciences
419-824-3622
Email

Service Learning Requirement

The goals of service-learning in the Lourdes University Department of Education are consistent with the goals of Lourdes University: to prepare students with the skills and attitudes they need to lead rich and meaningful lives in a complex, changing world by fostering personal integrity, ethical understanding, social responsibility, care for all of creation, and a commitment to community service.

Inspired by our Franciscan values of community, reverence, learning and service; the Lourdes University Department of Education desires to increase the amount of service learning experienced by our students. Service learning and the development of classroom service learning projects is a topic of study in the Education curriculum and is assessed on the PRAXIS II Principles of Teaching and Learning exam, required by the state of Ohio.

Education students will participate in service projects that both benefit the community and enhance the students’ learning experience. The service learning requirement is 20 hours prior to Gate I and 20 additional hours prior to Gate II, with a total of 40 hours prior to completion of the program.

For more information about the service learning requirement, contact:

Vincent T. Laverick, Ed.D.
Chair of the Division of Education
Assistant Professor
419-824-3840
Email

Students