I interpret the reading as stating that the practitioner scholar is someone who uses a practical application such as: case teaching, mentoring, practicums, and field internships (McClintock, 2004) to gain their scholarly knowledge. They also use these methods in helping others to attain their knowledge. A theme that I noticed happening throughout the reading in reference to practitioners, was the use of empirical study and experiential learning (McClintock, 2004). It is not just the use of theorem and research but the application of tactics. Another point the reading made is the necessity of the practitioner to be able to accommodate to their cliental, because human affairs stem from a diverse set a characteristics and backgrounds; it is not possible to control such things, so the practitioner must be able to adjust properly and efficiently. With psychology we as practitioners will always be learning, because the science, and its’ studies, are always changing and evolving. There is no real way to give up learning in this field, it is constant. The practitioner scholar is the hands on form of learning, growing and practicing, not just a hypothetical practice.
By understanding what a practitioner scholar is, I can now see how my future life will inevitable be. I will of course be practicing my trade in a, hands on manner and I also want to be an instructor. Some of that instructing may be theoretical, but when and where I can I will be using the hands on method as much as possible. I am a visual and practical learner so if I can see it, touch it, and participate in the manipulation of it, I will learn the best. Hopefully, I can share this sort of learning with others.
I cannot fully say how this will apply to my learning here at Capella because I do not know the complete construction of all of my future classes. I know that along the way I need to achieve my 1500 hours of supervised independent fieldwork and that this is where I will be able to have a full, hands on sort of learning. I do feel that my 7701 class is a more hands on class with the webinars that we have and that require active participation. The more practical information and chances to use that information we have, the better it will be for us students to learn the processes of applying that application now and in our future work in this field.
Reference
McClintock, C. (2004). Scholar practitioner model. In A. Distefano, K. Rudestam, & R. Silverman (Eds.), Encyclopedia of distributed learning. (pp. 393-397). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. doi:http://dx.doi.org.library.capella.edu/10.4135/9781412950596.n134
