How many weeks will I spend on practicum?

This depends on your programme. In a one-year programme you have at least 80 days of practicum. In a three-year programme you have at least 120 days (24 weeks) of practicum. This is equivalent to other teacher education providers.

What is a practicum?

Practicum is a period of time spent in centres or schools, working with ākonga and alongside a registered teacher. The idea of practicum is that you have a context in which to take on the role of teacher, while still being guided and supervised.

Some programmes have regular days in centres or schools and/or blocks of practicum time (such as the Graduate Diplomas in Teaching). Other programmes have only block practicums (the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) programme.

Practicum in a School:
When on practicum in a school, you will have opportunities to take over increasingly large parts of the teacher role, with each practicum building from the last.

Practicum in an Early Childhood Centre:
Students placed on practicum in an early childhood centre will work with and alongside their associate teacher and other teaching colleagues taking on more responsibility as they progress through the practicum placements.

How are practicums organised?

Practicums are organised by our Practicum Office in conjunction with the practicum leader of your programme. Practicum Placement Coordinators in our Practicum Office find places for our students in schools and centres that offer quality opportunities to learn to teach. Your location and needs are taken into account when places are sought and allocated. Students are supported with preparing for practicum.

What will I do on a practicum?

Lots of learning!

In the primary and secondary classroom, you may begin working one-on-one with ākonga while your associate teacher directs the learning then you will build to groups and whole class work, eventually taking responsibility for the learning.

In an early childhood centre, you work towards taking on the responsibilities of a teacher within the team environment.

In addition, students try to do as much of what their associate does as possible: attending meetings, doing duties/supervision of learners at break times, planning, taking extramural groups, getting involved in sports and music and the wider life of the centre/ school. Basically, you are a 'junior colleague' in the educational context and trying to learn as much as you can about teaching and learning.

Can I go on practicum to a school where my relative/spouse works or where my children study?

No, we place students in centres/schools where they do not have conflicts of interest of this type. Centres/schools are complex places, and difficult ethical situations can present themselves. The added complication of being a relative, parent or spouse can make things very difficult, especially for assessment of student teachers' teaching.

Can I choose my school?

No, because it depends on whether the centre/school has registered teachers who are prepared and available to support student teachers at set times of the year. It also depends on the relationships between the centre/school and the University (some education contexts choose to work with different providers of teacher education) and whether the centre/school has commitments to student teachers on other placements.

We also balance out how many students we ask centres/schools to take and know about centres/schools that have asked for a break. We ask student teachers not to approach schools/centres themselves.

What support will I have on practicum?

You will have an associate teacher who will be your mentor in the centre/school. You will work with the learners that your associate teacher is responsible for, so you will have a close relationship. In some centres/schools there is also a senior teacher or leader who looks after all the student teachers in the centre/school.

The University of Auckland also provides you with a professional supervisor, who will provide feedback on your practice. This person also leads the assessment of your teaching, in conjunction with your associate teacher and you.

Will I be supervised?

Yes, student teachers must have a registered teacher with them at all times. They are also supported by their professional supervisor from the university.

How will practicum help me to become a great teacher?

Practicum is at the heart of learning to be a teacher because it is the space in which you can work with infants, toddlers, children or young people in an authentic centre/school setting. It is where you see how you can make a difference for ākonga and lead learning. You learn to relate to ākonga and create a learning environment where all can thrive - and you can investigate your assumptions about teaching and 'what works'. It's great fun and gives you a chance to explore the full teacher role and gain confidence.

Will all my teaching observations be done in person?

Generally, yes. However, on many programmes we use a tool called IRIS Connect as window into practice and to enhance reflection on practice. Read more about IRIS Connect below.

IRIS Connect is currently not being used in the early childhood programmes.

Contact us

We’re here to help with any questions you may have about applying for one of our programmes. Don't hesitate to reach out: auckland.ac.nz/askus