The purpose, value and structure of the practicum in higher education: a literature review

The practicum constitutes an integral part of many professional courses in higher education; and is manifest in several different forms depending on the discipline: field experience, cooperative education, sandwich programs, internships, clerkships, clinical practicum, and the like. This paper provi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Higher education 1996-04, Vol.31 (3), p.355-377
Main Authors: Ryan, Greg, Toohey, Susan, Hughes, Chris
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Berufspraktikum
Bibliografie
College students
Curricula
Education policy
Education Work Relationship
Educational Objectives
Experiential Learning
Field Experience Programs
Forschungsstand
Graduate Study
Higher Education
Instructional Effectiveness
Internationaler Vergleich
Internship Programs
Learning
Learning experiences
Literaturbericht
Nursing students
Outcomes of education
Practicum Supervision
Practicums
Praktikum
Professional Education
Program Design
Research Needs
Student
Students
Studium
Teacher education
Teachers
Teaching methods
Tertiary education
Undergraduate Study
Work experience
Workplaces
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Summary:The practicum constitutes an integral part of many professional courses in higher education; and is manifest in several different forms depending on the discipline: field experience, cooperative education, sandwich programs, internships, clerkships, clinical practicum, and the like. This paper provides an overview of different ways in which the practicum has been conceptualized, implemented and evaluated in higher education. It focuses attention on the purpose and value of the practicum; the relationship between the practicum and the learning outcomes of a course as a whole; and the structure and placement of the practicum within a course. Findings indicate that whilst the practicum is widely accepted as a valuable and successful component of professional education, it has a number of shortcomings; and the lack of good quality research into the practicum makes it difficult to draw unequivocal conclusions. A number of questions are posed to guide further research into the role of supervision during practicum placements; the kinds of learning goals and outcomes that are best achieved through the practicum; and the impact on student learning of the length and structure of the practicum. (DIPF/Abstract übernommen).
ISSN:0018-1560
1573-174X
DOI:10.1007/BF00128437