EA001 Role of an Education Assistant
This course is an introduction to the professional behaviours and attitudes that are required by the Educational Assistant in the school system. Emphasis will be on the special education standards in the schools, the coding classification for students with disabilities, the philosophy and practice of inclusion, the legal and ethical issues concerning children with disabilities and the roles and responsibilities of the Educational Assistant in supporting students with disabilities under the guidance of the teacher. Included is an overview of the various developmental disabilities/delays and their characteristics.
EA002 Inclusive Education
This course examines opportunities and challenges presented to you within an increasingly diverse educational milieu and aims to raise knowledge base, cultural sensitivity and comfort level of the EA in furthering inclusivity in the class. Topics include: antiracism, multiculturalism and diversity; examine social political forces within a community and explore barriers to understanding and open communication, gain awareness of and develop skills in conflict resolution and transformation. Examine opportunities and challenges presented to the Educational Assistant in diverse settings. Develop a sensitivity and awareness of strategies to support inclusiveness and equity in the classroom for all students.
EA003 Child Development
This course provides a survey of the major theories of human development, principles, research findings, and concepts relating to child and adolescent development from a cognitive, social/emotional, and physical perspective. Course material explores several aspects influencing individual development from preschool to adolescence with a focus on application of this content to the educational setting
EA004 Augmentative and Alternative Communication
This course provides an introduction to assistive technology resources used to support children with disabilities to achieve success in their learning and work throughout their lifespan. Students compare methods used to make decisions about appropriate assistive technology for specific needs and examine their role in the needs, assessment and implementation processes.
EA006 Professional Communication for an EA
Students will explore components of interpersonal communication through listening skills, perception checking, dealing with conflict and understanding verbal/non-verbal messages. Personality inventories will be implemented to understand the development of self-concept Successful, healthy, and productive Interpersonal relationships form the foundation of human services work. This course focuses on building self-awareness and the communication process development. This course discusses why positive personal dynamics and choices are important and teaches how to analyze the candidate’s personal
dynamics.
EA007 Students with Behavioural Differences
Students develop the skills and knowledge to provide positive behavioural support to students within the context of the teacher’s classroom behaviour management system. Course content addresses the interrelationship of multiple factors within the classroom environment, strategies to foster positive student behaviour, methods of observing, documenting and reporting student behaviours to teachers, understanding of what influences behaviour and the communicative function of student behaviour, the development and implementation of appropriate intervention strategies for students who require complex behavioural services, and the critical need for positive classroom relationships.
EA008 Autism Spectrum Disorder
Students will acquire the tools needed to work effectively with students diagnosed with this complex condition. Develop effective strategies and supports for those on the Autism spectrum by exploring evidence-based research. Demonstrate the Educational Assistant role in supporting students on the Autism spectrum with a strong emphasis on communication, social skills, behavioral challenges, family, sensory, and educational issues.
EA009 Applied Behaviour Analysis
An introduction to principles of applied behaviour analysis such as reinforcement, natural and logical consequences and generalization. Emphasis is on techniques for increasing, decreasing, or developing new skills as a basis for designing instructional/intervention procedures and the process of positive behaviour supports. Ethical uses of applied behaviour analysis are extensively discussed.
EA010 Exceptional Learners
This course examines the philosophy and educational concepts associated with educating students with special needs. In this course, students learn to implement strategies, as directed by the teacher, in order to realize a student’s goals as outlined in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). In addition, specific areas of study include: emotional/behaviour disorders, Tourette’s syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, anxiety or eating disorders, traumatic brain injury, oppositional defiant disorder, medication, depression, schizophrenia, and conduct disorder, will focus on the role of the Educational Assistant in managing behaviour and supporting those with behaviour and mental health challenges. Through the identification and awareness of symptoms, strategies and the role of the Educational Support and the need for recognition of the barriers of hearing loss and how this can affect the learner. Total communication will focus on many combined elements including visual communication, hearing loss, body language interpretation and non-verbal communication interventions, students will become familiar with available resources and supports in both the school and community.
EA011 Supporting Communication & Language Development
Students will research and present information on the many the types of communications exceptionalities (e.g. Autism, L.D., Sensory Processing Disorders etc.) and implications of these for students in an educational setting. Different strategies for supporting students with communication challenges will be shared, with a particular focus on technology and the use of iPad in the classroom. This course will cross reference related, previously-learned material (e.g. behaviour management) and other aspects of communications. Details the types of communications exceptionalities and implications of these for students with communication challenges in an educational setting will be the focus of the course.
EA012 Supporting Personal Care
Students will describe intellectual challenges, team roles, expectations, skills and supports for individuals who are intellectually challenged. Physically Challenged will describe various types of physical challenges and how to effectively assist students with physical challenges. Multiply Challenged will describe multiple challenges, roles, exceptions, skills and supports for individuals with multiple challenges. Specific sessions will address transporting and lifting, medication administration in classrooms.
EA013 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Understand terms associated with the effects of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy (FASD, FAS, ARND, ARBD and NAS). Explain how persons affected by FASD may present in various settings Describe key individual and contextual factors that contribute to alcohol use by women during pregnancy. Identify specific strategies that individual communities are employing to address FASD related issues. Be familiar with community, provincial and national resources about FASD. Provide support and training for educators of students living with FASD Provide information, eLearning videos, resources and training. Synthesize and share current research and successful practices to support students with FASD.
EA005 & 014 Education Assistant Practicum
This course offers students an opportunity to learn from experience – “learn by doing”. Students will take part in a combination of fieldbased practicum experience. Students are required to complete 180 hours of practicum placement (Divided into two components Practicum 1 and Practicum 2). Each student will be writing a reflective journal about each day during their practicum to be submitted at the end. Throughout the program the student will be building a Professional Portfolio to use in their job interview. Students will be meeting with the Practicum Facilitator as requested to review progress. Each student will be under the supervision of their College Practicum Facilitator and a Field Experience Supervisor at their respective practicum site.
