Focused Observation represents the introductory phase of the student-teacher’s practicum experience at the University. It draws strongly on the knowledge gleaned in perquisite courses courses that developed the student’s knowledge of educational ends, purposes, values and contexts, as well as pedagogical skills and content knowledge required to drive the course.

The course consists of 15 hours of field work interspersed and supported by 30 hours of interactive, collaborative in-house sessions that will provide the students with the tools needed to maximise their field experience. Focused Observation encourages students to justify the need for practicum experiences in teacher preparation, build greater understanding of the nature of field experiences for various stakeholders including student-teachers, supervisors and cooperating teachers and introduces basic research skills. The key emphasis however is on the use of observation as a research skill for effective teaching and the use of theory generated from the analysis of observation data to inform decision-making, instructional design, assessment and management in the classroom.