Field Experience

Introductory Field Experience (IFX)

The Introductory Field Experience (IFX) consists of:

Preparatory Seminar Series: 7-8 weeks of seminars prior to the in-school placement
Orientation Days - 3 full days of orientation prior to the IFX start date. Note: Pre-service teachers will schedule orientation days in collaboration with their mentor teacher. They MUST NOT be scheduled during U of A classes, including EDFX seminars.
Full-time In-school Placement - 25 full-time and continuous days in a school placement. (Note: The 25 teaching days are calculated based on the school district’s calendar, therefore ending dates will vary.)

NOTE: It is mandatory for pre-service teachers to download and read through the Introductory Field Experience Manual located on the home page.

General Expectations

The University of Alberta expects students in their IFX to:

adhere to the New Professional Code of Conduct at all times; link on manual
adhere to the guidelines from the Alberta Teachers' Association
send the introductory form prior to the field experience
attend all orientation days;
be present on all school days (IFX students are only allowed two days of unavoidable absence without jeopardizing their field experience)
Pre-service teachers are expected to approach field experience as a full-time teaching position, realizing that a teacher’s work day does not start and end with the students’ class times. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the first bell, or as directed by your mentor teacher, and remain at least 30 minutes after school, or as required, to prepare for the next day's lessons, and for discussions, meetings, school events, extra-curricular duties, supervision duties, etc. Pre-service teachers are expected to be flexible and agreeable to the time required of teachers in addition to regular class times, such as before classes begin, during lunch, and after students are dismissed.

IFX Seminar

The IFX Seminar Series is an integral component of the field experience course. Pre-service teachers meet weekly with a field experience associate (FEA) during the months leading up to their field placement. This seminar series was developed to prepare pre-service teachers for their introductory field experience (IFX). The seminar provides pre-service teachers an opportunity to connect the content of their education coursework with the expectations for pre-service teaching.

Seminar topics include demonstrating professionalism, establishing positive student-teacher relationships, exploring classroom management strategies, supporting positive student behaviour, planning effective lessons, becoming a reflective practitioner, growth mindset, welcoming feedback, developing a growth plan, and understanding practicum expectations.

Seminar Attendance: Pre-service teachers are expected to attend every seminar, and actively participate in all activities. Attendance is monitored as this is a mandatory component of a credit course. Absences may jeopardize field experience placement in a school.

Orientation Days

Orientation days are important to assist pre-service teachers to become familiar with their mentor teacher, the students, the classroom routines, and the school community. Pre-service teachers must arrange with their school coordinator / mentor teacher three (3) mutually convenient full school days for orientation prior to the start date. Due to a pre-service teacher’s course schedule, 2 half-days may be scheduled to make up a full day if necessary. Pre-service teachers must not use university class time, including EDFX seminar time, for orientation days.

DETAILED TIMELINE AND EXPECTATIONS: Please refer to the INTRODUCTORY FIELD EXPERIENCE MANUAL for a complete overview of IFX, plus a detailed timeline of how the IFX progresses through 25 days.

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