This course develops knowledge of the history, philosophy, legislation, values, trends and issues related to exceptional learners. It explores student inclusion and provides a wide overview of exceptionalities ranging from mild to severe and child to adulthood. Access and retrieval of information on exceptionalities is emphasized.

This first-year composition course introduces learners to academic writing and critical thinking. They read and analyze sociopolitical, cultural, and gender issues in texts with an emphasis on experiences of people whose voices were historically silenced, particularly those of Indigenous communities in Canada. Learners develop strategies to communicate their own ideas and integrate them with those of others by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing source material. Learners present their written assignments professionally according to APA formatting guidelines.

The lives of individuals with disabilities can be improved through the use of assistive technology. In this course, learners investigate the principles of universal design and explore how those principles guide the incorporation of assistive technology into daily activities. Learners explore a variety of current assistive technologies and strategies for their use with individuals and groups.

This course introduces learners to inclusive education in a Canadian classroom. Learners explore the roles and responsibilities of the Education Assistant as an educational team member in a school setting. Learners will gain the skills and attitudes necessary for an Education Assistant to work professionally and effectively within legal and ethical standards and provincial guidelines, and confidentiality and professionalism will be stressed throughout the course. The philosophy and educational concepts associated with inclusion and diversity form the foundation for this class.

This course examines theory, principles, concepts, and instructional strategies related to expressive and receptive language and literacy development. It focuses on assisting students with reading and writing processes and adapting strategies, materials, and activities to meet the needs of individual students.

This course provides an overview of the typical physical, social, emotional, moral, and cognitive developmental changes occurring during middle childhood and adolescence. Learners explore major theoretical concepts and strategies of interaction with individuals in this age group. Course activity focuses on typical and atypical aspects of development; the contexts and social spheres that shape middle childhood and adolescence; as well as transitions from middle childhood to adolescence.

This course builds on the Introduction to Exceptionalities. It focuses on teaching/learning strategies and interventions for learners with specific exceptional needs. Resources, assessment procedures and inclusion of individuals with exceptionalities are addressed. The integration of theory, principles and concepts when determining strategies, materials, and activities for exceptional learners is emphasized. An introduction to assistive technology is included.

This course focuses on conducting and recording observations of student progress and behaviour, and on beginning to develop an understanding of the assistant's role in classroom management. Following this, it will examine attitudes, skills, and strategies that encourage positive student behaviour. A variety of practical approaches to understanding and managing student behaviour, and for dealing with students exhibiting behavioural difficulties will be explored.

This course focuses on learning process and the application of learning principles in providing instructional support to learners. It provides knowledge of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies and materials to assist students across the curriculum. It explores techniques to reinforce, adjust and modify tasks to meet the needs of individual students.

This is a two-part course that consists of a weekly 2-hour seminar and a total of 180 hours of practicum experience in local schools. The weekly seminars provide an opportunity to discuss practicum experiences. The practicum section of this course is designed to give the student an opportunity to begin practicing as an education assistant and to make further connections between theory and practice.

This course is an introduction to Indigenous cultural experience and perspectives. Learners analyze the foundations for stereotypes, bias and false narratives that impact Indigenous ways of being in Canada. Learners consider how legal and social policy impacts Indigenous identity. Euro-Canadian perspectives and beliefs toward Indigenous people are discussed. Learners explore the experience and Indigenous worldview in the Canadian context.

The Medicine Wheel has been utilized for health and healing practices for generations throughout various Aboriginal communities. This course examines the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health based on the Medicine Wheel teachings. Learners will examine the origins of the Medicine Wheel and will compare the four components to traditional Western health practices. In addition, learners will explore various applications of the Medicine Wheel to support individuals in their pathways to healing.

Prerequisite: Departmental approval