Certificate in Teacher Aiding

Transcription

1 Certificate in Teacher Aiding

2 WELCOME TO OPEN POLYTECHNIC Whether you are looking to improve your career prospects, or just learn something new, we can help you achieve your goal. We specialise in open learning learning that gives you more freedom to decide what you study and where you study. Our courses are specifically designed for delivery by distance, which means you can fit your study around your life. And just because you are learning by distance, it doesn t mean you have to do it alone. You will have access to your tutors and lecturers by or phone and to other students studying the same course through the Online Campus, the student support section of our website. It is our goal to make sure that you enjoy your study and that you succeed. So welcome to learning for today s world, and congratulations on taking up the challenge of further education. Please note that information contained in this brochure may be subject to change without notice.

3 Certificate in Teacher Aiding Qualification code: OP4100 Level: 4 Credits: 40 Teacher aides play an important role in supporting children s learning in New Zealand schools. If you re working as a teacher aide in a primary or intermediate school, or would like to, then this part-time qualification will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to do the job effectively. You will study by distance and do the practical work in a school, with support from both the school and your Open Polytechnic tutor. The Certificate in Teacher Aiding qualification is approved by NZQA and is recognised in schools throughout the country. Qualification Once you have successfully completed the qualification you will receive the Certificate in Teacher Aiding. skills you will gain When you have completed this qualification, you should: Have the knowledge, understanding and skills required to work as a teacher aide in New Zealand primary and intermediate schools Have a variety of career opportunities such as paid employment as a teacher aide, work in special education, and teacher training Be prepared for further study. 1

4 Qualification structure New students This qualification is made up of one core course (4971 Introduction to Teacher Aiding) and a group of four elective courses ( ). You must pass 4971 before enrolling in the group of four elective courses. In addition you must: Work as a teacher aide or volunteer teacher aide in a primary or intermediate school for at least 5 hours each week while you are studying towards your certificate Pass the assignments for each course Complete each course (4971 and the group of four electives) within 32 weeks of enrolling. Core course credits Introduction to Teacher Aiding 20 Elective courses Working Professionally Supporting Special Education Learners Supporting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Learning Working in a School Library Developing Bicultural Awareness Responding Positively to Children s Behaviour Supporting English Language Learners is a prerequisite for This course is only available to those upgrading from OP3500 Teacher Aide Certificate. 2

5 Graduates of OP3500 Teacher Aide Certificate If you are interested in continuing your personal development, you can upgrade to OP4100 Certificate in Teacher Aiding. Your 20 credits from OP3500 will be transferred to OP4100. To complete OP4100 Certificate in Teacher Aiding, you need to enrol in 4972 Working Professionally and three other elective courses, excluding the equivalent of the elective you completed in OP3500 Teacher Aide Certificate. Graduates of OP4290 Out of School Care & Recreation Certificate You can credit some modules from OP4290 Out of School Care & Recreation Certificate to OP4100 Certificate in Teacher Aiding. Please contact the Programme Leader for more information. Assessment This qualification is internally assessed. The assignments include written, oral and practical tasks. Your school support person will be required to verify some tasks. General Information Entry requirements The Certificate in Teacher Aiding is open to both New Zealand and international students who are living in New Zealand. Students living overseas may not enrol in this qualification. You can enrol in this qualification if you: Are over 16 years of age Have access to a primary or intermediate school to meet the on-job requirements of the qualification. Note: In some cases, on-job work in a secondary school may be approved. However, you must get approval for this from the Programme Leader before enrolling. See the last page of this brochure for contact details. 3

6 If you are not currently employed as a teacher aide, we suggest you volunteer as a teacher aide at a local school. If the principal is happy for you to volunteer, give them the enclosed Dear Principal letter and ask them to sign the enclosed School Access form. Note: The school may require you to get police clearance before you start work there. English language If English is not your first language, you will need to be able to read and write in English to study this qualification. Note: As a guide, NCEA Level 1 English credits or School Certificate English (or equivalent) will prepare you for successful study. Study time You will need to study for about 7 hours per week for each of the core course and group of elective courses in the qualification. As well as this study time, you will need to work in a primary or intermediate school for at least 5 hours a week while you are studying towards your certificate. Fees All fee information is available on our website at Te Kura supervisors and teacher aides Contact Te Kura for fee information. See the last page of this brochure for contact details. Administration fee You will need to pay a non-refundable $55 administration fee with your first enrolment in each academic year. Set texts There are no set texts for this qualification. Each course has recommended resources, and sometimes additional resources, which you can access free of charge through our library. 4

7 Course material You will be provided with the material required to complete each course. The material will include: Learning guides Resources Assignments. Loans, allowances & other funding Student loans and allowances are administered by StudyLink. We cannot confirm your enrolment or send your course materials until your fees have been paid. For information on loans and allowances contact StudyLink. See the last page of this brochure for contact details. Financial assistance We have a fund to help students who are in financial need and who have no other options for financial support. Conditions apply. For more information contact us. See the last page of this brochure for contact details. We also have a range of scholarships to support students. Go to: then go to For Students then Enrolment then click on Scholarships. Enrolment This qualification is open which means you can enrol at any time of the year. To enrol, fill in the enclosed Application for Enrolment form and return it to us along with your completed School Access form in the freepost envelope provided. Full fees are due when you enrol. Enrol in 4971 Introduction to Teacher Aiding first. When you have passed 4971, you can enrol in the group of 4 electives. If you have any questions, contact us. See the last page of this brochure for contact details. 5

8 Learning support Academic progress We are committed to helping people achieve their goals. If you feel you are struggling, please contact the Programme Leader for advice and help. Your tutor You will have a tutor for each course you study. Your tutor is there to help you through the course work, make sure you have understood the study material, and to check your progress. You can contact them on our freephone or by , fax or letter. Their contact details will be in the information we send you when you enrol. Student Handbook The Student Handbook has important and useful information about studying with us. We recommend you read this. We will send you a copy after your enrolment is confirmed. It is also available to view on the Online Campus. Study help When you enrol you will be sent a copy of our study guide StudyWise. The Learning Support section of our website also has information about the study support and resources we offer. Online Campus The Online Campus is the area of our website where you can: Access information about your courses Communicate with other students in your courses, and with your lecturer or tutor Access the library. 6

9 Library We provide a library service for students. There is no additional fee for using it. The library service provides: Online resources Guides on how to search for information A distance lending service with free and fast delivery Information about study techniques. You will find more information in the Student Handbook. 7

10 Course outlines Core course Enrolment period: 32 weeks 4971 Introduction to Teacher Aiding 8 Module 1 How schools work Topics include: Requirements of schools; policies and procedures; school structure, organisation and resourcing; roles and responsibilities. Module 2 Teaching and learning Topics include: The New Zealand Curriculum; curriculum delivery; the teacher aide s role in supporting curriculum delivery. Module 3 Interpersonal skills Topics include: Communication; intercultural and teamwork skills. Module 4 Child development Topics include: Observing children; developmental stages; similarities and differences between children. Module 5 Learning support strategies Topics include: The learning environment; relating to children; adapting learning tasks; teaching and learning approaches; behaviour guidance. Module 6 Working with children Topics include: Knowing your learners; learning needs; working with individuals and groups; planning, taking and evaluating learning sessions. Module 7 Working professionally Topics include: Professional practice; self-care strategies; professional guidelines; professional development. On-job time: At least 5 hours per week over the study period. Assessment: Three assignments covering Modules 1 3, 4 6 and 7. Recommended: Internet access.

11 Elective courses Enrolment period: 32 weeks for group of 4 electives Working Professionally Topics include: Professional practice; self-care strategies; professional guidelines; professional development. On-job time: At least 5 hours per week over at least 5 weeks. Assessment: Assignment. Recommended: Internet access. Note: This course is only available to those upgrading from OP3500 Teacher Aide Certificate Supporting Special Education Learners Topics include: Special education issues; identifying special education learners; identifying learning and care requirements; accessing information and resources; strategies and learning programmes for special education learners. On-job time: At least 5 hours per week over at least 5 weeks. Your focus during this time should be on supporting special education learners. Assessment: Assignment. Recommended: Internet access Supporting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Learning Topics include: Computer applications and processes; educational software; using the Internet; strategies for supporting ICT learning; taking and evaluating ICT activities. On-job time: At least 5 hours per week over at least 5 weeks. These hours must be worked under the supervision of a classroom or ICT teacher. Your focus during this time should be on supporting ICT learners. Assessment: Assignment. Requirement: Internet access. 9

12 4975 Working in a School Library Topics include: Library processes, procedures and tasks; research skills; the library as an information and literacy centre. On-job time: At least 5 hours per week over at least 5 weeks. All of these hours must be worked in a primary school library. Assessment: Assignment. Recommended: Internet access Developing Bicultural Awareness Topics include: Culture; biculturalism; the historical context; tikanga and te reo Mäori; bicultural resources; bicultural activities. On-job time: At least 5 hours per week over at least 5 weeks. Your focus during this time should be on developing your bicultural awareness. Assessment: Assignment. Requirement: Internet access. Recommended: Access to a speaker of te reo Mäori Responding Positively to Children s Behaviour Topics include: Identifying different kinds of behaviour; positive behaviour strategies; teamwork; adapting learning activities. On-job time: At least 5 hours per week over at least 5 weeks. Your focus during this time should be on supporting children with challenging behaviour. Assessment: Assignment. Recommended: Internet access. 10

13 4978 Supporting English Language Learners Topics include: Principles of second language learning; strategies for supporting English language learners; accessing information, support and resources; developing resources; adapting learning activities. On-job time: At least 5 hours per week over at least 5 weeks. Your focus during this time should be on supporting English language learners. Assessment: Assignment. Recommended: Internet access. Further study We have a wide range of courses available, from Level 1 to degree level. You may be particularly interested in our Level 4 Out of School Care and Recreation Certificate, which is designed for people working in before-school, after-school and holiday programmes. We also have courses in computing, psychology and information & library studies that may interest you. For more information visit our website or contact us. 11

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15 Contact us Website: Freephone: Overseas phone: customerservices@openpolytechnic.ac.nz Private Bag Lower Hutt 5040 New Zealand If you have any questions or want to talk over your study options, contact: Programme Leader teacheraiding@openpolytechnic.ac.nz Freephone: Other useful contact details StudyLink Website: Phone: Te Kura (The Correspondence School) Phone:

16 CTAID 1110 Freephone Overseas phone Private Bag Lower Hutt 5040 New Zealand