Educational Assistant
Program Overview
The Educational Assistant Program prepares students to assist and support the teacher(s) in the classroom from kindergarten to high school. Students learn skills to work with children individually, in small groups or with the entire class. Many teacher assistants work with students who have special needs. A focus on exceptionalities will be included, as well as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The skills students develop help to assist the children in the classroom to meet their educational requirements.
Courses
(click item to view course description)An overview of the principles guiding the scientific study of human behaviour. Students learn terminology and theories that serve as a foundation for future course work in child and youth care.
Contact Hours: 80
In this course, students explore the needs and interests of families and teacher assistants regarding school-age children, and consider children’s developmental needs while assisting in the classroom setting.
Contact Hours: 60
An opportunity to observe children in the classroom setting. Students practice a variety of documentation styles and use developing skills to assist the teacher in the classroom.
Contact Hours: 60
Students in this practicum are expected to increase their initiative in assisting the teacher in delivering classroom activities. It includes professional values and ethics when working in the educational system.
Contact Hours: 70
An introduction to professional conduct and the importance of following a code of ethics when working as a team member. Students develop skills to assist children in math and language acquisition, learn to support the teacher in classroom instruction, and to deliver appropriate development programs with direction from teachers.
Contact Hours: 60
Students develop skills in using technology as a learning tool. A bulletin board display is created using a variety of technical equipment and students complete a Standard First Aid Course and CPR.
Contact Hours: 30
This course is designed to develop students' writing, reading and comprehension skills. Students review basic writing principles, learn how to use a library and are introduced to techniques for planning and developing a research paper.
Contact Hours: 30
An introduction to interpersonal communication concepts and skills, including an examination of self-awareness, relationships and interpersonal skills.
Contact Hours: 60
This introductory course for novice users includes an overview of computer theory and development of practical skills using software designed for IBM compatible computers. Students gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts of the computer industry, as well as a working knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Power Point.
Contact Hours: 90
The course focuses on providing a healthy, safe environment for children and youth using a community well-being perspective. It explores the needs of First Nation children in Canada, as well as educating and working with parents, families and community members to ensure healthy environments. Health, safety and nutrition guidelines and regulations for children and youth are introduced and critiqued from a multicultural perspective. Traditional ways of ensuring health and safety are contrasted to currently available resources, particularly in the context of the community in which the course is offered.
Contact Hours: 80
This course introduces students to theoretical approaches to child guidance. Students learn to describe the theoretical basis for their own styles of interacting with children, and are introduces to strategies for classroom management.
Contact Hours: 60
This course provides students with a history of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), the terminology, definitions and issues surrounding diagnosis. The introduction of alcohol and its use and misuse in First Nation (Aboriginal) communities is discussed, and emphasis is placed on effective intervention in a classroom setting, which positively impacts on individuals affected with FASD. Discussion also touches on community interdisciplinary approaches to addressing FASD.
Contact Hours: 90
This course provides students with an introduction to traditional and contemporary education. Various strategies and approaches are integrated to assist Educational Assistants in the classroom.
Contact Hours: 60
This course introduces students to planning and implementing curriculum in the areas of music, art and drama. It also provides an understanding of the importance of creative expression in the development of the whole child.
Contact Hours: 40
This course introduces students to atypical child development. Students learn about many forms of exceptionality and approaches to caring for children and youth with special needs.
Contact Hours: 80
This course introduces students to normative child development from early childhood to the end of adolescence. It includes theoretical perspectives and research findings in the areas of physical, intellectual, psychosocial and moral development of children and youth.
Contact Hours: 80
This course introduces students to normative child development from conception to toddlerhood. It includes theoretical perspectives and research findings in the areas of physical, intellectual and psychosocial development.
Contact Hours: 80
