Certificate in Introduction to Teacher Aiding

Students will learn to differentiate the role a teacher aide has when assisting a teacher, 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.

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

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

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

People credited with this unit standards 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 standards 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 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)

US 7310 – Implement programmes to develop reading skills - 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.

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 for a young person with challenging behaviour; demonstrate knowledge of strategies for crisis behaviour intervention; and demonstrate knowledge of supportive resources available in relation to ongoing challenging behaviour in a young person.

Enrolment: 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.

Transfers:  All study selected for a particular intake must be completed within that intake period and cannot be carried over to another intake, unless a transfer is requested within the first two weeks after the start date.  Each transfer requested into an alternative intake will incur an admin fee of $50.  Transfers are not permitted two weeks after the intake start date or between academic years.

Withdrawals:  In order to get a refund of fees, students must advise SIT2LRN of their application withdrawal, in writing, 14 days prior to programme start date.  Students can withdraw up to 75% of the way through the course, but will still be liable for the fees. Students must advise SIT2LRN in writing of their programme withdrawal.

This programme requires a computer and internet access. All students are required to use their SIT webmail only. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system, for which access will be given during the period of study.

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 intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study.  Students who have not completed this enrolment process or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2^nd week of intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.  Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fee 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/faq/faqs for further study and enrolment information.

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.

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

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 $5.50 per credit of study undertaken, plus the required textbook/s listed below.  You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Payment is due on the start date of each intake enrolled in - for just the paper/s or unit/s that you have enrolled in for that intake.

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.

The required textbook for US 7310 is:

Ministry of Education (2009) Effective Literacy Practice. Years 1-4. Learning Media, Wellington.

Copies of this text are given to schools/teachers so if you have a close link with a school/teacher you may be able to borrow it.

For a quote from the SIT Bookshop please call: 0800 888 220 or email: bookshop@sit.ac.nz.

This course provides a direct pathway into the Certificate in Teacher Aiding (on campus in Invercargill and Gore).  Graduates could also apply for employment in schools or in support services roles.

All applicants must demonstrate:

• Preferably 18 years of age or over.
• 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.

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 unit standards, and achieved a total of 47 credits as specified in the programme schedule.