Course Instructor: Janette Jorgensen - janette.jorgensen@queensu.ca
In Summary:
Introduction to schools, teaching, and curriculum in their historical, political, social and philosophical context. Exploration of policy, practice and professional portfolios, with an emphasis on reflective and critical thinking.
Course Highlights: 
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The Con-Ed program at Bader College is the only program of its kind where, as a Canadian student, you can spend your entire first year learning about an international educational system in situ.
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Every week you will spend time in school, learning about teaching in the UK context.
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Running alongside the Practicum placements in schools, the course will explore both policy and practice, with an emphasis on reflective and critical thinking through students’ creation of a professional portfolio of reflections and resources.
Course Information:
PROF110 is a course designed to further your knowledge and understanding of teaching and to give you a context to reflect and develop your practicum experience.
Education theory and pedagogy will be explored through a variety of government policy documents and academic resources. Weekly themes will explore topics including equity, diversity and inclusion; behaviour management; curriculum and differentiated lesson planning; assessment; and ethics. The course will foster students’ consideration of their own pedagogical beliefs and professional values, and will encourage them to back these up with personal observations and scholarly evidence.
Through PROF110, students should become more thoughtful, questioning, critical and professional observers of both pupils and classroom practitioners, developing a perspective on the classroom ‘from the other side of the desk’.
Learning Outcomes:
- Explore the foundations and aims of education, different perspectives on how children should be educated and the many roles of teachers in elementary and secondary school, in order to begin to understand your own role as teacher.
- Examine fundamental questions, theories and concepts central to schooling and education, becoming more reflective about the core principles of the profession.
- Reflect on elements of your own teaching identity and pedagogical philosophy, and begin to express these with support from professional and academic sources.
- Implement critical and reflective thinking skills, prepare for practicum experiences and participate in collaborative inquiry, becoming an active participant as both teacher and learner.
Experiential and Active Learning Opportunities:
Con-Ed students at Bader College will take part in a series of timetabled classroom observations to help them reach their 50 hour target. These placements will give you invaluable practical experience of working alongside other professional educators in the classroom, helping you make connections between theory and practice through contact with children in real classrooms. This comparative experience, so early in your career, will benefit you greatly!
Prerequisites and Exclusions:
Prerequisite None.
Course applicable to the following Majors/Medials/Minors:
The Concurrent Education program prepares secondary school graduates to become educators (B.Ed.). Candidates complete Education courses concurrently with courses in the Faculty of Arts and Science, leading towards an undergraduate honours degree.
Important!
The Con-Ed programme at Bader College involves you spending time in a local school from the first week of term. In order to make this happen it is essential you do two things now:
- If you are over 18 - A Police check that involves a vulnerable sector check. If you are under 18 - A character reference that states how long the person has known you, and in what capacity, that confirms that you are a suitable person to work with minors. Examples of suitable referees include, your high school tutor, a religious official, or your sports' coach.
- A Letter of Accommodation.
Police Checks
In order to enter a UK school, you must have proof of a vulnerable sector screening police check. Now you have been offered your place you need to apply for a police check from your home area as soon as possible (i.e. the area where you live now). Please note procedures vary in different jurisdictions and cannot typically cannot be done online. In order to allow time for processing you must start the process now. You are required to present the screening document when you arrive at Bader College.
Letter of Accommodation
If you require accommodations relating to a physical, mental or learning disability, you need to register with Queen's Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) on main campus. Because we want to ensure you are able to take full advantage of your placement, it is important that we have this information as soon possible. Please register on the QSAS website now and submit the requested documents. Do not wait until you have selected your courses to start the process. Accommodations can only be granted through a Queen's Letter of Accommodation. Documentation from high schools, doctors etc. cannot be used in place of a Queen's Letter of Accommodation.