Curriculum and Instruction FAQ's

WHAT IS A FIELD EXPERIENCE? 
WHY DO I NEED FIELD EXPERIENCES?  
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO DO WHILE I’M AT MY SITE? 
I DID OBSERVATION HOURS AT ANOTHER COLLEGE.  CAN I USE THOSE HOURS TOWARDS MY 100 HOURS OF OBSERVATION FOR SUNY OSWEGO?   
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET A PLACEMENT?
WHEN DO I SIGN UP WITH THE FIELD PLACEMENT OFFICE FOR MY PLACEMENT?  
CAN I ARRANGE MY OWN PLACEMENTS?
HOW WILL I FIND OUT MY PLACEMENT INFORMATION?
WHEN SHOULD I START MY FIELD EXPERIENCE? 
WHY DO I NEED TO GO EVERY WEEK THAT SCHOOL IS IN SESSION? 
WHAT SHOULD I DO THE FIRST DAY I’M SCHEDULED TO ATTEND MY PLACEMENT? 
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM SICK OR HAVE AN EMERGENCY? 
WHAT DO I DO IF MY SCHEDULE CHANGES AND I CANNOT GO TO MY PLACEMENT DURING MY SCHEDULED TIME? 
I HAVE A DISABILITY.  HOW DO I REQUEST SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS? 

WHAT IS A FIELD EXPERIENCE?
Field Experiences are developed to provide opportunities for candidates in teacher education programs to observe and apply theory learned in their courses in an authentic classroom/practical setting. 

WHY DO I NEED FIELD EXPERIENCES?
To be eligible for New York State certification, teacher candidates registered in college teacher eduction programs are required to complete 100 clock hours of classroom experience prior to student teaching.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO DO WHILE I’M AT MY SITE?
At all levels of field experiences, candidates are asked to act as "participant observer", and to closely monitor all classroom/setting interactions.  Candidates are also asked to seek ways to contribute to the classroom in which they are placed.   The field experience is not limited to just one classroom setting.  With the cooperating teacher’s approval, candidates may visit other places in their assigned school/practical setting to learn as much as possible about the profession.   

I DID OBSERVATION HOURS AT ANOTHER COLLEGE.  CAN I USE THOSE HOURS TOWARDS MY 100 HOURS OF OBSERVATION FOR SUNY OSWEGO?
Only those hours completed while enrolled in your SUNY Oswego teacher education program count towards fulfillment of the New York State 100 hour field experience requirement.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET A PLACEMENT?
Every semester you have a field experience, you will need to register for the course through Banner and be sure to sign up for your field placement through the Field Placement Office.

WHEN DO I SIGN UP WITH THE FIELD PLACEMENT OFFICE FOR MY PLACEMENT?
You sign up for your placement with the Field Placement Office during sign-up sessions which will be scheduled every semester.  The session dates and times will be advertised and on the FPO’s website.

CAN I ARRANGE MY OWN PLACEMENTS?
No, to ensure positive and appropriate placements, all placements must  be arranged through the Field Placement Office.  Please read the Field Placement Policies for more information.

HOW WILL I FIND OUT MY PLACEMENT INFORMATION?
The Field Placement Office will notify you one of three ways:  mail, email, and/or through TK20.  

WHEN SHOULD I START MY FIELD EXPERIENCE?
You should begin attending your placement on the date noted in your notification letter or on the next school day following your notification.  For example, if your placement letter arrives on Monday and your placement day is scheduled for Wednesdays, you should begin your placement on Wednesday of that week.  You will want to begin immediately to be able to be part of your classroom for as many weeks as possible each semester.

WHY DO I NEED TO GO EVERY WEEK THAT SCHOOL IS IN SESSION?
Each field experience is designed to give you opportunities to see what it is like to be a teacher.  One of the most important jobs that a teacher must do is monitor their students’ growth over the course of the year.  By attending your field placement each week, you will be able to observe (and promote) this growth in the students in your assigned classroom.  You will also be able to participate in a greater variety of activities by attending weekly than you would if you completed all your hours in one extended block of time.

WHAT SHOULD I DO THE FIRST DAY I’M SCHEDULED TO ATTEND MY PLACEMENT?
You should report to your assigned school’s main office one-half hour prior to the placement time.  Be sure to follow all sign-in procedures in the main office every time you report.    Introduce yourself to the office staff and the principal and ask for directions to your cooperating teacher’s classroom.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM SICK OR HAVE AN EMERGENCY?
You will need to call the school as soon as you know you cannot attend and let the office know you will not be there:

• Identify yourself by name and college
• State that you are a practicum student in (your cooperating teacher’s name) classroom;
• Indicate your reason for your absence;
• Ask that a message be given to your cooperating teacher.

WHAT DO I DO IF MY SCHEDULE CHANGES AND I CANNOT GO TO MY PLACEMENT DURING MY SCHEDULED TIME?
You should go to the placement at your scheduled time and then work with your cooperating teacher to find a time that is mutually agreeable for the remainder of the semester.  You would regularly attend according to this new scheduled time every week.  Please then notify the Field Placement Office of the change.  If you and your cooperating teacher are unable to agree to another time, please notify the Field Placement Office immediately.  Failure to notify the office in a timely manner will forfeit the placement. 

I HAVE A DISABILITY.  HOW DO I REQUEST SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS?
You will need to contact the Disability Services Office; the Field Placement Office will arrange for accommodations for you based on the determination of needs.  Before arrangements can be made, appropriate documentation must be on file in the Field Placement Office.