Experiential Learning Requirements
Experiential Learning “supports students in gaining hands-on learning that helps them transition to employment” – Ministry of Colleges and Universities. (2020) and Graduate and Employer KPI Surveys 2020-2021 Cycle Operating Procedures. Experiential Learning can take the form of co-operative education, degree work placement, clinical/field placement, fieldwork/simulation labs, capstone/applied research projects, and service learning.
Field Placement for Community Development Work Program
Field Placement is a critical part of the Community Development Work, as it is the opportunity for students to put into action the learning resulting from their course work. Field Placement is a complex process through which students have the opportunities for applied learning in the field of Community Development, to practice the knowledge, skills and attitudes they have developed through their studies.
The Intent of the CDW Field Placement is to:
- Provides students with the opportunity to apply and practice the knowledge, skills and values they have learned in their courses of study
- Grow as “Professionals in Training” under the guidance and supervision of a quali- fied Agency Field Supervisor and College Field Supervisor.
- Facilitate students to become familiar with practice environment and to gain a mastery of knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for effective practice
- Encourage student development of critical thinking about Community Development, domestic and international, service delivery and practice issues
The CDW Field Placement is one of the most exciting and crucial aspects of a students’ learning experience. The Community Development Work Field Placement in the CDW program will provide students with diverse learning opportunities to develop their practice skills within a Community Development focused agency or community setting. Community Development Work students will be placed in an practice setting where they are supported, supervised and engaged in practical learning activities that help them develop confidence in their practice skills and begin to develop and cultivate their professional identity in the profession of Community Development.
The program offers a variety of field placements to our students. The Field Placement Coordinator strives to match students with a suitable placement opportunity that is reflective of their passion, interests and learning needs. Each field placement setting will offer students with unique learning opportunities within the Community Development sector.
Field Placement Courses
Field Placement courses are a requirement of the Community Development Work program, which provides students with the opportunity to apply and practice the knowledge, skills and values they have learned in their courses of study under the guidance and supervision of a qualified Agency Field Supervisor and College Field Supervisor. The Field Placement experi- ence involves the student, the Agency Field Supervisor and the College Field Supervisor in a partnership to facilitate the student’s learning process. The aim is for students to gain a mas- tery of knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for effective Community Development Work practice.
The Community Development Work Field Placement Manual is an important tool for student success in Field Placement. In addition, feedback and guidance from the Agency Field Su- pervisor and College Field Supervisor regarding their performance and progress will con- tribute to a positive outcome in their placement.
These courses are part of the CDW Program Model Route and will allow students the experience to develop as professionals in training for a career in Community Development Work. Students must participate in all field placement courses and receive a minimum grade of “C” (or 60%) in order to successfully pass the course, and to be eligible to complete the program requirements for the CDW diploma.
The two Field Placement courses:
1. CDEV-320-Field Placement-1
2. CDEV-420-Field Placement-2
Required Field Placement Hours
CDEV-320:
- Students are required to complete 224 hours
- Students are scheduled for two days a week, on Mondays & Tuesdays •
- Students are required to complete a Block Week in Week 4. Block week means that students are expected to attend Field Placement every day (5 days in total) that week (and they are exempted from their other classes)
- Students are entitled to 1 sick day for the duration of the semester
CDEV-420:
- Students are required to complete 448 hours
- Students are scheduled for four days a week
- Tuesdays-Fridays (Winter semester)
- There is no block week in the CDW-420 course
- Students are entitled to 2 sick days for the duration of the semester
*Please note that while the College does not require COVID-19 vaccination, students are required to follow the policies in place at work-term/placement sites. This means that you may be required to provide proof of vaccination to your employer/placement host in order to participate in and complete your work term/placement.
Field Placement Policy
Students who do not meet the minimum standard of acceptable and appropriate behavior, and/or have breached our Student Code of Conduct and/or the Disruptive Student Behavior policy are ineligible for Field Placement, and will need approval from the Chair to be eligible.
College Field Supervisors
A faculty member at Centennial College who is directly responsible for monitoring and evaluat- ing the student’s field placement performance and is responsible for assigning the final grade.
Agency Field Supervisor
The Agency contact on site who directly supervises the student during Field Placement, and participates in the student’s evaluation.
Program Coordinator: Rachel Larabee
The Program Coordinator oversees the Community Development Work program at Centennial College, as well as acting as a resource to the Field Placement Coordinator, College Field Supervisors, and Agency Field Supervisors.
Email:
rlarabee@centennialcolllege.ca
Telephone: 416-289-5000 ext. 52972 Office: C-206, Ashtonbee Campus
Field Placement Coordinator: Lynne Winters
The Field Placement Coordinator is responsible for the overall Field Placement operations and supporting students through the matching process.
Email: lwinter@centennialcollege.ca
