Technical Writing Post-Graduate Program: the field placement course credit 

In the second term, all Technical Writing students are required to participate in a field placement for an organization. Ideally, each student will be working on a project-based assignment to help further the host organization's corporate goals. Completion of the independent study for the host organization will result in a course credit towards the full-time post-diploma certificate in Technical Writing.

Workplace Health and Safety

Fanshawe students have coverage through the college.

Host Responsibilities for Technical Writing Field Placements

The students are expected to work independently towards a project that will further the host organization's communication objectives.

The host organization's responsibilities are outlined below:

• Provide students with opportunities to learn about the Technical Writing profession.
• Approve a student-created "Learning Contract" outlining the student's responsibilities, deadlines, goals, and objectives.
• Provide the required materials for a student to accomplish his/her project(s), for example, access to phones, computers, and personnel.
• Have at least one key contact person available to orient the student to the host organization and to provide advice and encouragement as the student completes his/her project.
• Allow the student to work independently towards mutually agreed upon tasks and goals.
• Provide gentle guidance and feedback throughout the project.
• Read and approve the student's end of term Summative Report, which will delineate expected goals and outcomes as well as reveal other learning that was experienced during the semester long field placement.
• Inform Fanshawe College Technical Writing Field Placement Monitor, Marg Medeiros at mmedeiros@fanshawec.ca, if the student is not fulfilling the mutually agreed upon tasks and deadlines

Optional Requirements for Field Placement Hosts

• The host may wish to provide the student with a letter of recommendation upon his/her completion of the field placement.
• The host may wish to invite the student to networking opportunities or other events.
• Students may be paid by a field placement host while earning a course credit.

Assessment of Students on Field Placement

A Fanshawe College faculty advisor will assess students on field placement.

Negotiation and Completion of a Thorough Learning Contract - 25%

The Learning Contract will outline parameters of the student project, deadlines, work arrangements and hours, key responsibilities and expected outcomes. Due dates for progress reports will be outlined in the document. The host, the student, and the faculty advisor will sign the contract.

Two Progress Reports - 2 @ 15% 

The student will write two progress reports. The student can give copies to the host organization. The faculty advisor will mark the reports. 

Work Journal - 15% 

Students will keep a work journal to record the length of time that certain tasks take and to record key observations. Students will submit the work journal to their faculty advisor with their Summative Report. 

Summative Report - 30%

Upon completion of the field placement, students will write a Summative Report that rationalizes their anticipated goals and objectives against their realized experiences when completing their project. The student will also present findings on unanticipated learning outcomes and experiences. The report may involve a presentation of findings to peers. The host will also receive a copy of the Summative Report and must sign it to complete the Learning Contract cycle. 

Contact Information

General Studies Division, 
Fanshawe College, 
1460 Oxford St. E., 
London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 

(519) 452-4442 or (519) 452-4480

http://gs.fanshawec.ca