Certificate in Introduction to Teacher Aiding

The programme will allow students to:

• Gain skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to working or further training in the education sector.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to standards recognised by the industry sector as appropriate.
• Develop work habits and practice appropriate for further training and employment in the education sector.

The programme is made up of these papers:

TEA 1031 - Introduction to teacher aiding and inclusion (Level 3) 6 credits

People credited with this module are able to demonstrate understanding of education and special education in New Zealand, demonstrate knowledge of structure of a classroom and allocation of subjects, understand the role of a teacher aid and teacher, understand learning styles and their application to children, demonstrate knowledge of inclusion, and demonstrate knowledge of ways to support inclusion.

TEA 1032 - Demonstrate knowledge of human development (Level 4) 6 credits

People credited with this module are able to understand the overall patterns of human development through seven age groups, discuss the developmental issues related to stages of the life span, and identify and understand the aspects of development.

US 21224 – Demonstrate knowledge of challenges and issues related to young people with specific physical needs (Level 3) 3 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of common challenges for young people who have special needs with eating and drinking, personal care, and toilet care; and issues associated with such assistance.

US 16871 – Demonstrate knowledge of causes and common effects of physical disability (Level 3) 3 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to define physical disability; describe the causes of physical disability; and describe common effects of physical disabilities.

US 16870 – Demonstrate knowledge of causes and associated conditions related to intellectual disability (Level 3) 3 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to define intellectual disability; describe the causes of intellectual disability; and describe conditions frequently associated with intellectual disability.

US 9135 – Identify and apply ethical guidelines for working with young people who have special education needs (Level 5) 6 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to identify the purpose of codes of ethics; describe and apply a relevant code of ethics and legal requirements for working with a young person with special education needs; identify and discuss ethical issues that may be associated with working with a young person with special education needs; and describe procedures for dealing with ethical concerns.

US 11097 – Listen actively to gain information in an interactive situation (Level 3) 3 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to select listening techniques, listen to gain information, and respond to information received. 

TEA 1042 – Construct resources to support the curriculum (Level 3) 3 credits

People credited with this module are able to develop an overview of the education curricula and ways they can apply knowledge of these to assist the teacher in the facilitation of the learning of special needs children and explore display ideas including techniques of layout and design.

US 7310 – Assist in reading programmes for young people with reading difficulties (Level 4) 4 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to: relate knowledge of reading difficulties; demonstrate knowledge of ways to assist young people with reading difficulties; and assist with implementing programmes for young people with reading difficulties. A textbook is required for this unit standard.

US 7282 – Assist with behaviour change for young people with challenging behaviour in education settings  (Level 5) 10 credits

People credited with this unit standard are able to describe the development of social and co-operative behaviour in a young person; demonstrate knowledge of ways to establish an inclusive learning environment that assists with behaviour change; demonstrate knowledge of challenging behaviour; describe strategies to assist with behaviour change; assist with the implementation of a behaviour change programme; demonstrate knowledge of strategies for crisis behaviour intervention; and demonstrate knowledge of resources available in relation to on-going challenging behaviour.

Graduates will define the role of a teacher aide, define the tasks a teacher aide can be responsible for, develop useful skills for working with students with special needs, and adapt resources to ensure inclusion for all children.

This course provides a direct pathway into the Certificate in Teacher Aiding (on campus in Invercargill and Gore). 

Graduates could apply for employment in schools or in support services roles.

SUGGESTED STUDY PATH/COMBINATIONS

Full time study

Enrol in all papers in one intake (14 weeks).

Part time study

CROSS CREDITS

Students who have previously completed any of the above units at SIT or another learning institution can apply to have the unit(s) cross credited to their record of learning at SIT.  This is done by filling in a cross credit application form and attaching proof of achievement. The cross credit application form is available on MySIT or from the Programme Administrator on 0800 748 257 ext. 3320.

LITERACY AND NUMERACY ASSESSMENT

The Tertiary Education Commission requires all learners enrolled in programmes at Levels 1-3 to complete literacy and/or numeracy testing.  This is a Level 3 programme therefore you will be required to complete at least one reading or numeracy assessment during the course of your studies. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period.  Click HERE to download a Study Load Calculator (spreadsheet).
• All papers selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is requested (conditions apply; see FAQs).
• Application forms are filled out on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes on the one application form.  Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students.  There is no automatic enrolment rollover.

Assessments for this course typically include written assignments, discussion board tasks and written reports.

You are required to work (paid or volunteer) in a school to complete assessments.

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost of $6.50 per credit of study undertaken, plus a non-refundable administration fee of $50.00 for each application processed, and the required textbook/s listed below.  You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Fees must be paid by the due date shown on the invoice.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink.  Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.

Please check the textbook list to see if you will be required to purchase textbooks for the units that you are enrolling in.  The list is available here:

http://www.sit.ac.nz/documents/pdf/textbooklist.pdf

All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive a Welcome Kit that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.

Facilitator Assistance:  During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only).  All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study.  Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2^nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.  Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section of our website at http://www.sit.ac.nz/pages/FAQs for further study and enrolment information.

All applicants will be preferably 18 years of age or over and must demonstrate:

• An aptitude for, and interest in, the range of tasks associated with teacher aiding, that indicates a reasonable chance of success.
• Proficiency with internet, email, and word processing software.
• Preferably four years’ secondary education demonstrating likelihood of successful completion of the programme. Preferred school subjects - English, mathematics.
• Access, under supervision, in a school setting to learners with special education needs.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Certificate in Introduction to Teacher Aiding (Level 3), they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all papers and unit standards, and achieved a total of 47 credits as specified in the programme schedule.