Course Description
Students taking the Paraprofessional Internship Course will gain internship experience while completing 100 hours of supervised field work. Through course lectures, supervised field work, discussion posts, video tapings of classroom performance and an internship paper, students will learn and demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of the paraeducator and the legal and ethical issues related to the role of paraeducators. Students will have opportunities to demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills and apply knowledge of learner development and learner differences. There is an emphasis on application of behavioral and instructional strategies that support positive student learning and facilitation of integration of students with disabilities into various educational settings. Completion of an internship is a requirement to earn an AS in Paraprofessional Studies. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- EDU 100: Introduction to Paraprofessional Training
- One additional course listed below is required for participation in the internship course:
- EDU 101: Behavior Strategies and the Paraprofessional
- EDU 102: Exceptional Learners and the Paraprofessional
- EDU 103: Autistic Learner and Assistive Technology
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of the paraeducator and the legal and ethical issues related to the role.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills and participate in successful collaboration activities.
- Apply knowledge of learner development and individual learner differences in children and young adults.
- Apply effective instructional and behavioral strategies that support positive student learning.
- Provide support in the assessment of student performance.
- Facilitate the integration of students into various settings.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6) | 10% |
Weekly Internship Journal Entries (Weeks 1-8) | 20% |
Video Assignment and Reflection (Weeks 4 & 7) | 30% |
Internship Paper (Week 8) | 25% |
Final Conference with Instructor (Week 8) | 15% |
Total | 100% |
Required Texts
- There is no required textbook for this course. Additional readings may be assigned by the instructor as needed.
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Weekly Topics | Assignments |
1 | 1 | Topics: Paraeducators Standards and Responsibilities
|
|
2 | 2 | Topic: Effective Communication |
|
3 | 3 | Topic: Exceptional Learners |
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4 | 4 | Topic: Instructional Strategies |
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5 | 4 | Topic: Behavior Strategies |
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6 | 5 | Topic: Student Assessment |
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7 | 6 | Topic: Learning Environments |
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8 | 1-6 | Topic: Effective Paraeducator Practice |
|
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.