Physics 209 Clinical Experiences

POLICY STATEMENT

Last revised 8/30/06

How many clock hours of clinical experiences are required for this course, and how are those hours counted?

Twenty-five clock hours of clinical experience are required as part of this course. It should be noted that only on-school-site hours will be counted. The only exception to this policy is stated below. Preparation time, report writing time, and the like are not normally counted in the twenty-five clock hours.

Other methods course instructors allowed me to count preparation time and report-writing time as part of clinical experience clock hours. Why won't you?

This course is for the major by the major department; it is here that the expectations are highest. This methods course with its associated clinical experiences may prove to be the single most important education course you will take at this university. Reports from our students indicate that clinical experiences are very valuable transitional activities in preparation for student teaching. Reducing the number of school-site hours by allowing for travel, preparation, and report-writing time is no service to either the student or the profession.

I already have completed more than 100 clinical experience clock hours. Must I still perform all the clinical experiences associated with this class?

Yes, the physics department requires completion of a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours of clinical experience of students in the major, 25 of which are completed in PHY 209 and 10 of which will be completed in PHY 311. Even though the student may have more than 100 clinical experience clock hours on record, these are not necessarily the same experiences the department deems most appropriate for students in its program. The successful completion of all 25 clock hours of clinical experiences is a prerequisite for a passing grade for students enrolled in this course.

May I complete more than one clinical experience at a time?

No. The full time and attention of a clinical student should be focused on only one clinical observation or interaction at a time. Attempting to conduct two or more clinical experiences at once will result in inadequate attention being paid to all required elements. If a clinical student chooses to do so, clinical experiences will not be "multiply counted" and only 1 hour will be credited no matter how many clinical experiences are attempted at once.

Will I be completing all of my clinical experiences at one site?

Yes. Students are required to spend 25 clock hours of clinical experiences at one site. Doing so provides students an opportunity to gain a depth of understanding and a variety of sequential experiences in a given classroom environment.

May I perform my clinical experiences at any school site, say at the high school in my home town?

Possibly, but only with prior permission from the course instructor. Both state and University regulations require a formal contract between the University and the school where your clinical experiences are to be conducted. Unless such a contract is in place, you are not permitted to be present in those schools on university-related clinical experiences.

How do I find out about requirements for clinical experiences?

All activities are fully detailed on links associated with the PHY 209 course syllabus.

How will I know which clinical experiences to perform?

Each week you will be assigned one or more clinical experiences to perform; these are also detailed in the course syllabus.

May I come up with or create my own clinical experiences?

You may not conduct your own clinical experiences without the prior approval of your course instructor. In the past students enrolled in this class have attempted, on their own, to substitute certain activities for the prescribed clinical experiences associated with this class. These clinical experiences were disallowed.

When will school-based clinical experiences start?

School-based clinical experiences will begin within the first few weeks of the semester's beginning. Clinical experience activities will be parceled out on a weekly basis throughout the semester. Within approximately 15 weeks students will be required to complete all 25 hours of observations; therefore, observations will be made at a rate of one to two hours per week.

Do I need to contact the cooperating teacher prior to my visits and, if so, how should I contact the cooperating teacher?

Generally, it is a good idea to contact the cooperating teacher prior to your first visit. Necessary information will be provided you in a separate handout at the appropriate time.

What should I keep in mind when I arrive at the high school clinical sites?

First, park legally. ISU students are guests at these schools and should act accordingly. Park temporarily (normally in student or visitor parking) and check in with the main office or other designated site to obtain parking instructions and permit (if needed), and to inform the administration of your presence on the school grounds (legal requirement). Only after you have parked legally and checked in with the administration should you move on to the classroom. If you are required to wear a name tag, be certain that you do so.

Would you give me any advice or pointers to keep in mind so as to make my clinical experiences as useful and as positive as possible?

Yes! Check out the following item: Suggestions for Successful Clinical Experiences.

How will my grade for clinical experiences be determined?

Your grade will be determined by your methods course instructor on the basis of information contained in a documentation folder that you will create as part of the clinical experiences process. A grading rubric will be used to ensure fair and consistent assessment. This rubric is hyperlinked to the online course syllabus.