Programs

Course Details

Course Code:  EDAS 141A

Credits:  3

Calendar Description:
This introductory course will focus on the roles and responsibilities of an education assistant, stressing that the assistant should be a member of the collaborative team in the classroom. An overview of basic principles and responsibilities will be provided.

Date First Offered:  2010-09-01

Hours:

• Total Hours: 45
• Lecture Hours: 45

Total Weeks:  15

This course is offered online:  No

Pre-Requisites:

• HDEC 100 Essential Skills for Human Services (may be taken concurrently)

Non-Course Pre-Requisites:  None

Co-Requisites:  None

Rearticulation Submission:  No

Course Content:
Themes:

• Inclusion
• Teaching and learning
• The EA – characteristics, roles and responsibilities

Concepts:

• Special education philosophies
• Learning styles
• Multiple intelligences
• Instructional methods and materials
• Learning and the brain
• Effects of exceptionalities on learning
• School based teams
• Elements of effective communication
• Elements on effective teams
• Individualized education plans
• Role of the EA
• Characteristics of the EA
• Special education service provision
• Philosophy of inclusion
• Children’s rights
• Parent’s rights
• Least restrictive practices
• Categories of special needs
• Concept of health and wellness
• Health and safety policies
• Concept of healthy and safe environment
• Nutrition
• Child abuse
• Indicators of abuse and neglect
• Family diversity and issues
• Personal philosophy
• Importance of professional development

Learning Outcomes:

Overarching Learning Outcome:
The intention of this course is to prepare students to work with exceptional students as part of an educational team. A student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

• Use his/her personal understanding of teaching and learning to work effectively with exceptional students
• Apply his/her understanding of special education philosophies and principles to work with exceptional students

Specific Learning Outcomes:
A student who successfully completes this course will have reliably demonstrated the ability t:

• Assist in the development and implementation of Individualized education plans
• Assist students to meet their personal learning needs
• Assist in the preparation, adaptation/modification and implementation of learning activities and resources
• Assist students to be included
• Advocate for student inclusion
• Assist in development of inclusive environments
• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies for the maintenance of student health and well-being
• Contribute to the development of the student’s social and emotional well-being
• Support students to develop positive and healthy relationships at school
• Support the health and safety of the student by contributing to the provision of a safe and healthy environment
• Respond to harmful and at-risk situations
• Collect data and maintain records
• Identify and communicate pertinent information to the educational team
• Contribute to team goals and tasks
• Collaborate with team members to support and achieve goals
• Assess personal needs in relation to responsibilities
• Apply personal learning and development to practice

Skills:

• Observe
• Record objectively
• Document
• Plan lessons
• Deliver lessons
• Use various assessment tools
• Use clear and objective language
• Access resources
• Monitor student progress
• Use descriptive praise
• Acknowledge and celebrate student success
• Provide appropriate assistance
• Identify student preferences, interests & needs
• Honour diversity
• Treat others with respect
• Understand other cultures
• Communicate clearly – oral & written
• Know community contacts/supports
• Model appropriate behaviour & language
• Build relationships
• Identify abuse and neglect
• Model healthy habits
• Implement safety precautions
• First aid skills
• Implement policies/safe practices
• Recognize unsafe situations & practices
• Reporting procedures
• Active listening skills
• Think creatively
• Think critically
• Analyze student learning needs
• Apply appropriate learning strategies
• Use appropriate motivation techniques
• Analyze situations
• Follow directions
• Ask for clarification
• Use self assessment skills
• Identify own learning

Grading System:  Letters

Passing Grade:  C (60%)

Grading Weight:

• Assignments: 90 %
• Participation: 10 %

Number of Assignments:  5

Nature of Participation:  Discussion

Writing Assignments:

• Assignments include an interview with a practising education assistant
• A philosophy paper
• Writing and teaching a lesson plan
• Creating an education assistant handbook
• Visual summary.

Percentage of Individual Work:  90

Percentage of Group Work:  10

Course Offered in Other Programs:  Yes

Other Programs:

• Education Assistant Diploma

Text Books:

• Required - BC Ministry of Education, 2001, Individual Education Planning for Students with Special Needs: A Resource Guide to Support Teachers (Victoria, BC). Chapters Covered: All
• Required - BCTF/CUPE, 2001, Roles and Responsibilities of Teachers and Teacher Assistants (Victoria, BC). Chapters Covered: All
• Required - BC Ministry of Education, 2006, Special Education Services: A Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines (Victoria, BC). Chapters Covered: Selected
• Required - BC Ministry of Education, 2001, Teaching Students with Learning and Behaviour Differences (Victoria, BC). Chapters Covered: All
• Required - BC Ministry of Children and Family Development, 2007, The BC Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect (Victoria, BC). Chapters Covered: All