Guidelines for AdEd 5196—Field Experience in Adult Education

General Information

• The field experience can be any planned and organized set of activities that advances adult education (e.g., curriculum development for an adult education course, adult program evaluation, volunteering at a literacy center). While the activities may be job related and conducted at the student’s place of employment, the activities must be above and beyond the student’s normal job responsibilities.
• Register for 3-6 credits; 1 credit is equal to approximately 45 hours of effort; thus a 3-credit field experience would represent approximately 135 hours of effort.
• When calculating the number of credits for which you will register, consider

  • preparation time (e.g., needs assessment, curricular design & development),
  • time-on-task (e.g., teaching a class, shadowing),
  • time to conduct evaluation and analyze the feedback,
  • time to write-up the report.

• The experience should have an adult education theoretical foundation (i.e., think about how the experience will draw on the concept of andragogy and theories of self-directed learning, transformative learning, experiential learning, theory of margin, and/or theories of adult development).

The Role of the Student

• Determine objectives (what you plan to learn as a result of the field experience), and discuss them with your advisor and host supervisor.
• Obtain agreement to proceed
• Keep a written log of your time and activities; include reflections about what you are learning and applicable theories.
• Submit a final report to your academic adviser
• Upon approval, submit a copy of your final report to your host supervisor and request his/her assessment.

The Role of the Host Supervisor

• Provide input on the objectives and field experience activities.
• Be the “on-site” point person (supervisor).
• Submit a brief (one-page or less) write up for the faculty adviser (copy the student) that includes your assessment as to the value of the experience for your organization and for the student, and how well you believe the student achieved his/her objectives.

The Role of the Faculty Adviser

• Provide input on the objectives and field experience activities.
• Serve as a resource for the student.
• If necessary, serve as mediator between student and host-supervisor.
• Assign grade in a timely manner after approval of final paper.

Note: These guidelines differ from the Adult Basic Education (ABE) License field experience. Contact Professor Rosemarie Park at parkx002@umn.edu or 612-625-6267 if you have questions about ABE.

Revised December 2005