BV1500 Professional practice - Observation and interaction Course description

This course comprises supervised professional practice in a workplace where the student will practise working in the field of child care and welfare and social pedagogy. The course serves to integrate the different elements of the first year of the programme. Social pedagogy practice takes place in different fields of work that are relevant to child care and welfare, including fields the child welfare service cooperates with. Arenas for upbringing such as kindergartens, schools and preventive services in the leisure and cultural sectors are relevant, along with institutions and the child welfare service. Particular weight is placed on preventive child welfare, and interdisciplinary and inter-agency cooperation. The course also includes one seminar that prepares the student for practical training and one that summarises and concludes the training period. Group practical training is used at some establishments where several students work together. In the course of the practical training period, the students will gain experience of making professional observations and assessments, and acquire skills in distinguishing between observation and assessment. They will also gain insight into how their own preconceptions influence what they see.

The student must have passed exams corresponding to 20 credits from the autumn semester.

Knowledge

The student

·         has knowledge of their own profession and interdisciplinary cooperation between different agencies with a responsibility for children and young people’s upbringing, with emphasis on kindergartens, schools and the child welfare service   

·         has knowledge of how children and young people can be included in different arenas for upbringing

·         has knowledge of how the practical training integrates different elements of the programme, and knowledge of learning processes and supervised practical training in their own profession

·         has insight into how they can update their knowledge in matters relating to the work of the practical training establishment 

·         has knowledge of the professional ethical guidelines for child welfare officers  

Skills

The student  

·         can apply provisions concerning the duty of confidentiality, duty of disclosure and right of disclosure in their practical training arena 

·         can apply knowledge of the life situations of indigenous people, ethnic minorities and refugees 

·         can employ activities that promote play, learning, inclusion, mastery and participation

·         can make professional observations and assessment of children, young people and their families to safeguard the child’s best interests, and has insight into the distinction between observation and assessment

·         can reflect on how knowledge of preventive and health-promoting work is relevant in arenas for children and young people

·         can critically reflect on power relations and professionalism in their own professional role and practice, and adjust their behaviour and approach through supervision 

·       can apply knowledge from children and young people as part of the basis for ensuring children and young people’s participation and co-determination at the practical training establishment 

·         can use knowledge of relations and communication in interactions with children, young people and partners in the practical training establishment 

·         can use relevant digital tools in a safe and secure manner

·         can identify ethical issues and critically reflect on their own behaviour and values

·         can use their knowledge to communicate and cooperate expediently with children, young people and their parents/guardians based on their practical training establishment

·         can practise and improve their ability to talk to children about neglect, violence and abuse

General competence

The student

·         has insight into the importance of knowing themselves and their attitudes and values to be able to develop good relations when working with children and young people and their families 

·         is competent in distinguishing between observation and assessment 

·         knows how to plan, implement, assess and evaluate child care and welfare work in an ethical and professionally responsible manner 

·         can use knowledge, skills and experience when working with children and families under supervised training

A pre-practical training seminar is organised as well as a concluding practical training seminar where the coursework requirement, digital stories from the professional field, takes place. The seminars comprise lectures and group work.

Students are assigned a supervisor at the practical training establishment, ideally a child welfare officer, and will receive at least one supervisory session per week. Supervisors from other professions may be approved for placements at schools, kindergartens and in the leisure sector. Students at practical training establishments where several students are taking training together may receive group supervision, which will compensate for some of the individual supervision.

Students taking practical training in the university’s practical training area will receive one visit from a contact lecturer from the university.

There are four coursework requirements/compulsory activities in this course.

1. Participation in seminars (5 days all together): Pre-practical training seminar and the seminar on digital stories from practical training placements

80% attendance. If a student's absence exceeds 20%, an alternative coursework requirement is set to compensate. If a student's absence exceeds 40%, they lose the right to take the exam. The length of the teaching days will vary, and it is each student's own responsibility to stay informed about the teaching schedule.

2. Practical training. The practical training supervisor recommends whether to approve or not approve the practical training period. The final approval is decided by the programme. See the practical training regulations.

3. Submission and presentation of a digital story of around 300 words lasting about 3 minutes.

4. INTERACT - INTER1100

The following required coursework must be approved:

Students must submit an individual log. Scope: 500 words (+/- 10%). The log requires participation at the two-day seminar. An individual assignment may compensate for absence.

Read more about INTERACT and INTER1100 here: https://www.oslomet.no/en/research/research-projects/interact

Each student is responsible for ensuring that their attendance is documented. The length of the teaching days will vary, and it is each student's own responsibility to stay informed about the teaching schedule.

All compulsory activities and coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam.

The exam is an individual written practical training assignment with a scope of 8-9 pages. The assignment will be given at the start of practical training and must be submitted by the stipulated deadline on completion of practical training. Font and font size: Calibri 12-point. Line spacing 1.5. The approved citation style APA for assignments must be complied with.

Candidates who fail or who were absent from the ordinary exam for a valid reason can take a resit/rescheduled exam.

Candidates who fail the practical training assignment can submit a reworked version as a resit exam once. Candidates who fail twice must submit a new assignment.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

All exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.