Educational Assistant

This course introduces students to assistive technology and the impact of these technologies on students with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, communication challenges, and learning disabilities. Students will learn about the range of assistive technologies that are available and develop the skills to assist with the assessment and suggest suitable technologies for students within the scope of an EA. Students will develop practical skills in using and implementing these technologies in the learning environment.

Communicating effectively with students, teachers, and administrators is an essential skill. In this course, students will develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes within the school setting.

This course provides students with an overview of searching for employment opportunities, creating professional and targeted resumes and cover letters, and preparing for an interview. Students will learn about job hunting online, the application process for job aggregators, and discover the potential benefits of networking to help secure a job in their field.

This course introduces students to the theories of child and adolescent development. Students will explore the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development of these age groups. Special attention will be devoted to identifying typical and atypical patterns of development along with interventions and supports for atypical development. Students will explore the social and cultural factors that impact child and adolescent development.

Establishing a positive classroom environment is a key skill of educational assistants. This course introduces students to different theories and strategies for managing classroom behavior. Students will develop the skills to foster a positive environment, develop effective routines and learn how to manage disruptive student behaviours in conjunction with the classroom teacher. This course will enhance students’ skills to support positive interactions with students in educational settings.

This course introduces students to the school system and how the school system functions as an organization. Students will develop an understanding of key educational policies and regulations, become familiar with educational theories, and discuss ethical practices and key educational policies through the lens of an educational assistant within the school system. The roles and responsibilities of the educational assistant will be discussed and explored.

This course introduces students to the principles of racism, inequity and exclusion as it pertains to Indigenous Peoples and will focus on building an awareness of Indigenous history and culture. Students will develop cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity and cultural competence to best support Indigenous children and families.

This course introduces students to supporting learning related to English Language Arts (ELA). Students will develop the skills to identify common ELA learning challenges, develop the skills to assist with ELA assessments and to support student learning. Students will become familiar with curriculum documents and frameworks that are used to guide teaching and learning in their jurisdiction.

This course introduces students to supporting learning related to science and technology. Students will develop the skills to identify common learning challenges, develop the skills to assist with science and technology assessments under the guidance of a teacher and to support student learning. Students will become familiar with curriculum documents and frameworks that are used to guide teaching and learning in their jurisdiction.

This course introduces students to student exceptionalities and how these impact students and their learning. Students will develop the skills to describe the characteristics of different exceptionalities, identify learning needs, and develop the skills to support these learners. Students will also develop a broad understanding of the legal and policy frameworks which inform inclusive education.

This course will introduce students to computer hardware and software terms and concepts. Students will also learn how to use basic functions of Microsoft Office products including Word, Powerpoint, Outlook and Teams. Other technologies that are commonly used by EAs will also be explored.

This course provides an overview of student assessment and evaluation. Students will develop an understanding of the purpose of evaluation and develop the skills to complete a variety of student assessments. Students will also develop the skills to document and report findings to support teaching and learning.

Being a professional in a workplace ensures a positive first impression, successful interpersonal relationships, and a lasting reputation. This course provides training in skills that ensure adaptability to a continually changing work environment. Topics covered include initiative, teamwork, and continuous learning.

This course provides an introduction to the concept of safety in education. Students will be introduced to relevant safety guidelines and standards. They will develop the skills to respond to emergency situations and critical incidents. Students will develop the skills to manage medications, and food allergies, and handle food safely.

This course provides an overview of learning including the factors and theories that influence learning. Students will explore the concepts of motivation, cognition, and the impact of social and cultural factors on learning. The course will introduce the idea of learning preferences and the application of these ideas in the classroom.

This course provides an overview of inclusive learning and diverse populations with a focus on safety and inclusion as the fundamental right of all students in a school setting. This course provides an overview of diverse populations and strategies for supporting students who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, are English Language Learners, refugees or permanent residents, Indigenous learners and other marginalized groups. Students will explore how to identify their own biases through reflective practice.

The Practicum experience is an integrated work and learning experience. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 160 hours of practical experience in an educational setting. The course is designed to help students integrate academic learning with the realities of the work environment.