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.
Credits: 3
Hours: 45 (Lecture Hours: 45)
Prerequisites:
None
Non-Course Prerequisites:
Criminal Record Check Schedule B works with “children” or works with “children and vulnerable adults." Admission to Education Assistant Certificate or Diploma Program.
Pre- or Co-Requisites:
HDEC 100
Course Content: - 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 of 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: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 to:
- 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 to support 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
- 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
- Utilize reporting procedures
- Demonstrate active listening skills
- Demonstrate creative and critical thinking
- Analyze student learning needs
Grading System: Letter Grades
Passing Grade: C (60%)
Text Books:
Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.