Key Takeaways:
- A practicum involves observation and limited teaching duties, complementing academic studies with real-world classroom experience.
- Student teaching entails full classroom responsibilities, simulating a professional teaching environment and emphasizing practical application.
- Both practicum and student teaching bridge the gap between educational theory and practical teaching skills, with each serving distinct developmental stages.
In this guide, we explore the difference between practicum and student teaching, two key components of teacher education programs that help bridge the gap between theory and real-world teaching.
A practicum in education introduces aspiring educators to supervised classroom observation, while the student teaching experience involves more hands-on instruction. Understanding practicum vs. student teaching and meeting student teaching requirements is essential for anyone pursuing a teaching career.
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What is a Practicum?
A practicum is a precursor to student teaching. David Recine from Magoosh, a leading provider of exam preparation services, aptly describes a practicum as “experiences that teacher trainees have in the classroom before they take on the full range of responsibilities required for student teaching.” A practicum is part of an on-campus course that includes lectures, readings, and homework. The student is assigned to a K-12 school and supervised by a mentoring teacher. Depending upon the university, the time spent in a K-12 classroom could range from several hours per semester to 15 hours per week.
What are the Characteristics of a Practicum?
The primary tasks of the education major are to observe how experienced teachers perform their job duties, correlate field practices with academic training, take notes and ask questions of the supervising mentor outside the classroom.
Sometimes, the trainee becomes involved in limited classroom activities, such as working one-on-one or with a small group of children, providing initial field exposure to differences in learning styles. Some mentors encourage the aspiring teacher to develop lesson plans or to teach part of a lesson plan. Feedback is ongoing since the experienced teacher closely monitors the practicum.
The way practicums are structured may vary. For example, the student may be assigned to more than one school or to several teachers within a school. Also, those perceived as high-potential trainees may be given slightly broader responsibilities.
Since the fieldwork is part of an on-campus class, the student is expected to meet all the requirements of the supporting curriculum.
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What is the Difference Between a Practicum and Student Teaching?
A practicum is part of a class, whereas student teaching is a class. The online teaching resource center, ThoughtCo, notes: “Student teaching is designed to allow pre-service teachers to practice and refine their teaching skills in a regular classroom experience. Student teachers work closely with college supervisors and experienced teachers to learn how to promote student learning.”
Student teaching encompasses a broader scope of responsibilities than a practicum. The student is expected to assume all teaching responsibilities in the classroom and engage in non-classroom duties such as developing lesson plans, grading tests and homework, interfacing with parents, and attending staff meetings and school events.
Student teaching is structured to simulate a professional work environment. Students must apply their skills and experience in a more independent setting. Being assigned to a supervisor makes the reporting relationship more akin to a professional workplace.
Why a Two-Step Process?
Transitioning from the academic to the professional world can be daunting. By participating in a practicum, the student can ease into this transition, gaining confidence and poise before assuming the full responsibilities of student teaching.
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