The practicum is a prerequisite for the 235-481 Internship. They help students develop skills essential for successful professional educators, including the use of theoretical knowledge to inform professional practice and the cultivation of questions rooted in practice to illuminate the meaning of theory. Internships are supervised by MSEd program staff, who are in regular contact with students and supervisors at the field site. Elementary Teaching students take the 235-481 Internship during winter quarter, with an accompanying seminar. In public-school settings, continuous monitoring of the intern's progress ensures that the skills and knowledge gained in the MSEd program help interns master the diverse tasks and responsibilities educators face.
Students develop their own philosophy of education in the course.
Other topics include evaluation, writing in various genres and about various subjects, motivating students to write, and management of writing workshops. Learning in mathematics, science, reading and writing, and informal reasoning. New models of classroom interaction, particularly those using technology to enable new cognitive and social roles for students. Theoretical motivations in cognitive and social-interaction learning theories, empirical studies evaluating their effectiveness, and prospects for propagation of such innovations. The course includes hands-on experience with classroom activities and educational software as well as videos of teaching practice.