Micro-Placements
What is
Experiential Learning?
Experiential learning integrates knowledge and theory learned
with practical application that is, course participants will be undertaking
placements within the industry in order to gain different experiences, outside
of the classroom. These placements, also called Micro-Placements will be
undertaken annually during July.
Micro-placements are an opportunity for course participants
to gain first-hand experiences within the industry which is different to that
of the classrooms. These placements
normally involve short-term projects. For contributors hosting the Micro-Placement,
it is to be noted that these placements are non-remunerated. These placements
will be taking place annually during July.
The Experiential Learning process gives an opportunity for
prospective educators to get a different experience from that of the classroom.
It is an opportunity to work within the industry in placements, which are
structured, short-term and supervised and are often focused on particular tasks
or short-term projects.
For
a student following a Bachelor’s degree, the placement period is of 80 hours in
a maximum of four (4) weeks.
Course
Participants following a Master’s degree have a placement period of 150 hours
which are to be undertaken within six (6) weeks.
The course
participants are students reading for the Bachelor
of Education or the Master of
Education at the IfE.
The
contributors are Micro-Placement providers who are willing to take course
participants within their workplace. Types of possible contributors would be:
employers, NGOs, the tourism industry, private organisations, Local Councils,
the public sector and public services.
1) Fill in our short
online application available at: http://tiny.cc/4bgwkz
2) Once this is
submitted to IfE, it is reviewed, and an on-site visit will be scheduled at the
work place to get an idea of what our course participants would experience
during their placement. This visit should take approximately an hour.
3) After the on-site
visit, a decision will be taken by the
Experiential Learning Board to start promoting the contributor on the IfE’s
webpage: Contributor’s List.
For further
information please refer to our webpage dedicated to
contributors.
Detailed
information may also be found within the Micro-Placement:
Contributors’ Handbook.
The Micro-Placement
does not incur any charges/fees on the contributor. The learning agreement
stipulates that placements are unpaid therefore the learner is not entitled to
wages or compensation for the time spent at the contributor. Furthermore, this
agreement is based on an educational programme and there is no guarantee or
commitment which will result into employment.
Course
participants are encouraged to find their own placement as this will ensure
that the experience provided will meet their expectations. The following
steps should be undertaken when seeking contributors:
1) The course participant shall seek a
contributor where to undertake the placement.
2) The course participant shall contact
the contributor to check whether they are listed on the Contributor’s
list
on the IfE’s webpage.
3) IfE recommends that course participants prepare their
CVs and covering letters prior to contacting the contributor.
4) If the contributor is listed on the IfE’s website, the
course participant shall fill in the interest form (after
making contact and agreeing with the contributors that they will be holding
their placement at the workplace), indicating clearly the name of the organisation
where the placement is going to be held, the working days and hours, the
commencement and ended date of the placement.
5) If the organisation chosen by the course participant
is not on the contributors’
list, then the course participant shall ask the contributor to fill in the contributors’
form.
6) Once the contributor fills in and submits the form,
IfE shall vet the contributor and do the necessary checks for the contributor
to be listed on the IfE’s webpage.
7) Once the contributor is listed on the IfE’s webpage,
the course participant shall fill in the interest form, and await
further instructions from IfE.
For further
information please refer to our webpage dedicated to
Course Participants.
Detailed
information may also be found within the Micro-Placement: Course Participant Handbook.
Yes. IfE
representatives, known as Micro-Placement Visitors, shall visit the course
participants up to two times during their placements.
No. Micro-Placement
Visitors will be provided with a checklist, which will be used to guide course
participants in enhancing their skills and competences.
The module is
assessed through a reflective journal outlining the experience gained and the
application of inquiry-based techniques.