2.1. The assignment of the educational institution and the beginning of the practical training
According to Order EDU/39/2021, of February 16, which establishes the development of teaching practicums at universities and other institutions in educational institutions, educational services and institutions of the Department of Education, the establishment of a procedure for the selection and accreditation of vocational training centers, practical training in educational institutions in Catalonia must be carried out in Catalan centers accredited by the Department of Education. Both the contact and the assignment process must be carried out by the university, so students cannot contact the educational institutions directly. The allocation of placement is managed from the university’s Practical Training Service.
The educational institution constitutes a learning environment where shared pedagogical reflection, team work, student-centered competency development, tutoring and guidance, and involvement with the environment are key elements to promote a model of competent teachers committed to the educational success of all students.
The university must communicate with the coordination of the educational institution’s practical training program, which must confirm the availability of the placement and designate a mentor to accompany and supervise the student practical training. The University must inform students of the name of the assigned educational institution and provide the contact details of the relevant contact people. From this moment on, students can contact the educational institution through the practical training coordination or by directly contacting mentoring. In this first contact, the student must coordinate with the practical training coordination and the educational institution’s mentor to establish the start date of the practical training and, subsequently, the work plan that they will have to develop during the different phases of the Practicum.
Practical training at the educational institutions starts from the second half of November. The exact start date, common to all master’s students, is established each academic year by the Department of Education, and is published through the university’s communication channels and virtual classroom. The hours of the placement at the educational institution cannot be compressed, they must be distributed throughout the academic year (from November to April), in order to coordinate the continuous assessment activities that are carried out at the virtual classroom with the activities that take place in the educational institution.
The university has signed an agreement with the Department of Education that legally regulates the relationship between the university and the educational institutions that host students for their practical training. Before starting their practical training, all students must sign an adherence protocol that references this framework agreement that outlines the activities they will carry out during their practical training.