AQ Curriculum

Teaching English Language Learners Part One has been developed to introduce participants to the theory and practice of second language teaching and learning from a classroom teacher perspective. The course will prepare participants to effectively teach English language learners in a class or subject specific course as well as provide a basis for teaching an ESL or ELD assignment. This course will examine underlying theories of language acquisition, the development of a safe, welcoming and equitable environment, assessment and programming as it pertains to English language learners and explore parent and community connections.

Teaching English Language Learners Part Two develops teacher expertise in the theory and practice of second language teaching and learning from an ESL/ELD teacher perspective. The course will prepare participants to effectively teach English language learners as a specialist ESL or ELD teacher. This course will explore theories of language acquisition in depth, and consider the implementation of a safe, welcoming and equitable environment that adheres to the ESL Policy. It will develop expertise in ongoing and initial language proficiency assessment, programming development, and modification. It will finally explore parent and community connections necessary for success.

In this specialist course, candidates will focus on their leadership skills specifically in reference to ESL/ELD support.  The content covered in this course is intended to assist emerging leaders to reflect on their practice, assess and evaluate programs and data, mentor other teachers, design proposals, prepare workshops, and develop networks within and beyond your school community. Moreover, candidates will develop an awareness of the role of the ESL/ELD leader to effect positive systemic change in order to advocate for students’ linguistic and social adjustment needs in the school and as a collaborative partner for in-school and community services personnel and parents/ guardians.

The AQ French Second Language Part One is an introduction to the theory and practice of classroom teaching in French second language. This course will give you the opportunity to teach French as a second language in Ontario. As the first step towards specialization, you will gain knowledge and basic skills necessary to teach French as a second language at various levels: structure, immersion and intensive. You will have the opportunity to explore and reflect on the curriculum, programs and policies of the Department of Education, the standards of the teaching profession and ethics, theories of second language acquisition, strategies learning, teaching and assessment and other elements relevant to education in an atmosphere online and interactive practice. Action research is the culmination of this course. Le cours de qualification additionnelle français langue seconde partie 1, est une introduction a la théorie et aux pratiques de salle de classe dans l’enseignement du français langue seconde. Ce cours vous donnera la possibilité d’enseigner le français langue seconde en Ontario. Etant le premier pas vers la specialisation, il vous permettra d’acquérir Additional Qualifications (AQ’s) des connaissances et des competences de base necessaires pour enseigner le français langue seconde de divers niveaux: cadre, immersion et intensif. Vous aurez l’occasion d’explorer et de réfléchir sur le curriculum, les programmes et politiques du ministere de l’Education, les normes de la profession enseignante et la déontologie, les theories d’acquisition d’une langue seconde, les strategies d’apprentissage, d’enseignement et d’évaluation et bien d’autres elements pertinents a l’enseignement dans une atmosphere en ligne interactive et pratique. La recherche-action est le point culminant de ce cours.

The Additional Qualification course, French as a Second Language Part Two, aims to deepen your knowledge and skills acquired during the Part One AQ. This course will enrich your theories and teaching practices through research, online interaction with your colleagues, and significant review of resources for your teaching profession. You will demonstrate your knowledge, your skills, and your creativity in the action research or reflective practice project.

Le cours de qualification additionnelle français langue seconde partie 2 a pour but d’approfondir vos connaissances et vos competences acquises durant la partie 1. Ce cours vous permettra d’enrichir vos theories et pratiques d’enseignement a travers la recherche, l’interaction en ligne avec vos colleagues du cours pour accumuler ainsi des ressources importantes a votre profession. Vous aurez a démontrer vos connaissances, vos competences et votre creativite dans la recherche-action.

This course, which includes a unit on leadership, focuses on a deep understanding of the different basic FSL programs. It is enhanced and enriched with immersion. The participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the subject matter and communicate and apply what they learn in a meaningful and practical manner. The assignments will reflect the standards of the teaching profession as well as the ethical standards of the profession which are set in the learning expectations of the first part of the course leading to the French as a second language (FSL) AQ.

Ce cours qui comprend un volet sur le leadership, est accès sur la connaissance approfondie des divers programmes de FLS: de base, enrichi et d’immersion. Les participants ont l’occasion de reflechir sur la matière, de communiquer et de mettre leur apprentissage en application dans le cadre d’expériences pratiques. La formation doit refleter les Normes d’exercice de la profession enseignante et les Normes de déontologie de la profession enseignante qui sont enchassees dans les attentes en matière d’apprentissage de la premiere partie du cours menant a la qualification additionnelle de français langue seconde.

Integration of Information and Computer Technology Part One is an introductory course primarily intended for elementary and secondary teachers who are interested in learning how to extend and enrich students’ learning through information and communication technology. It focuses on the theory and practice underpinning the delivery of curriculum through the integration of information and communication technology within the classroom setting. The course explores practical use of Web tools, Ministry of Ontario licensed software, and their applicability to the classrooms across both panels.

This course is intended to enhance professional practice, and extend and apply knowledge and skills in the design and delivery of Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction. The Additional Qualification Course Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction Part II explores the theoretical foundations, the development of learners, program planning and implementation, assessment, the learning environment, and ethical considerations related to teaching and learning. This Part II course has an emphasis on job-embedded action research, asking measurable questions and carrying out the processes of effective inquiry on any issue deemed relevant to the candidate related to program planning and assessment. The course requires constant feedback by the instructor as well as technical support to ensure successful completion. The design, course content, and implementation of the Additional Qualification Course: Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction Part II supports effective teacher education practices. The following course components support and inform effective professional knowledge and practice within the Additional Qualification Course: Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction. The ethical standards for the Teaching Profession and the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession are embedded within the overall expectations of this course.

The Additional Qualification course: Computers in the Classroom, Specialist provides candidates with a strong foundation and understanding of the vision and underlying philosophy related to information and communication technology and its integration within a 21st-century learning framework. The course is open to candidates who meet the entry requirements identified in Regulation 184/97. The College recognizes that candidates will have a need to explore in an integrated delivery model, topics and issues of particular relevance to the educational context in which they work or may work. Critical to the delivery of Computers in the Classroom is the ability of teachers to ensure positive and interactive learning experiences for all students. Teachers are skilled at combining their knowledge of child and/or adolescent development and learning with their understanding of information and communication technology to facilitate active student engagement. The course is based on an in depth knowledge of information and communication technology to support and enrich the curriculum and includes a focus on leadership skills. Candidates will have opportunities to reflect, communicate, and apply their learning through practical experiences.

This introductory course will allow participants to explore theoretical foundations of early childhood, child development, play-based learning environments, instructional pedagogy that supports the early learner, assessment practices that make children’s learning and thinking visible, and the power of shared partnerships with families and other early year professionals. This course is aligned with the Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program (Draft 2010) and other supportive, current Ontario resources, legislation, policies and materials. It is grounded in the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession and the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession. Participants will explore current research and knowledge and rethink traditional practices in the teaching of Kindergarten. Participants will be immersed in learning opportunities that include professional reading, learning through media, reflection, action research, and dialogue with colleagues.

This course is an introductory course for potential teacher-librarians. The course aims to enhance professional practice and extend knowledge and skills that will prepare teachers to coordinate an integrated school curriculum as part of the School Library Information Centre. The following aspects of the school librarianship are explored: the role of the teacher-librarian in student achievement and school-wide initiatives; evidence of the teacher-librarian’s potential impact; collaboration; integration of technology and connecting with parents/guardians and the community. Also included are the fundamentals of school library management.

Mathematics instruction is a priority in today’s classroom and as teachers we want our students to enjoy, understand, and to be successful in the learning of mathematics. Making sense of the mathematics that students are learning is the key to building confidence and a sense that they are able to do it. This course focuses on improving teaching practices in the area of mathematics content, assessment and evaluation, creating a problem-solving environment, and effective lesson planning. The course will hopefully build greater confidence in making sense of the mathematics that is being taught and in turn help students do mathematics with understanding and confidence. This course will also provide you with numerous online resources to support your professional learning of mathematics and programming for mathematics.

As teachers become more familiar with which ideas are more complex for students and why, they are better able to ensure that their instruction is at the appropriate developmental level for students, and that it challenges students’ mathematical conceptions in appropriate ways. This minimizes the likelihood of students developing mathematical misconceptions (Small, M. 2009). Making Math Meaningful to Canadian Students, K-8. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education). All educators – classroom teachers, early childhood educators, school principals and other instructional leaders in the education system – use a variety of critical thinking and problem-solving strategies to engage all students in making connections between content and process as they work toward a thorough understanding of mathematics. This course will elaborate on many of the ideas listed in Focus on Mathematics. The list was created by The Mathematics Working Group. Its group task was to advise the Ministry on ways to bring about a positive change in the teaching and learning of mathematics and to ensure better results for all students.

The Additional Qualification Course: Mathematics Primary and Junior, Specialist explores the theoretical foundations, the development of learners, program planning and implementation, assessment, the learning environment and ethical considerations related to teaching and learning across the divisions. Critical to the implementation of this course is the modelling of a positive learning environment that reflects care, professional knowledge, ethical practice, leadership and ongoing learning.

The course is a comprehensive introduction to the foundations of the complex task of teaching literacy skills for the twenty-first century. A focus on the components that create an engaging, cross-curricular literacy program will enable the participants to develop a solid understanding of what is important in effective instruction in reading and writing at all elementary grade levels. Participants will engage in independent reading and reflection of the current research and theories of literacy instruction around five modules: The Reading Framework, Using Data to Drive Reading Instruction, Moving Our Students Forward, Comprehensive Literacy, and All Kids Are Our Kids.

This course facilitates participants to develop a deeper understanding of the foundations of reading instruction first explored in Reading Part One. The course will focus on creating literate learners for the twenty-first century. The overwhelming exposure of our students to a variety of texts of all forms in the world beyond the doors of the classroom requires participants to consider what it means to be literate in today’s world and to bring the world of the students into the classroom environment through comprehensive literacy instruction. Topics of study in the five modules include: Reading Instruction; An Effective and Comprehensive Literacy Program; Digging Deeper with Effective Strategies; Assessment For, As, and Of Learning; and Involving Critical Stakeholders.

Candidates who participate in the Additional Qualification Online Course Reading Specialist will first and foremost enhance their professional practice, and extend and apply knowledge and skills in the curriculum leadership of reading programs. They will collaborate in the modelling of a positive learning environment that reflects care, professional knowledge, ethical practice, leadership, and ongoing learning as they have the opportunity to learn with and from fellow candidates in skills related to teaching and learning across the divisions of the elementary panel. Candidates for the Reading Specialist will be able to consolidate the learning from the Parts 1 and 2 in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of reading instruction. Emphasis will be placed on providing leadership in the implementation of the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum, policies and guidelines in relation to theoretical understanding, program planning, assessment, and collaboration with the school and broader community. Candidates will benefit from engaging in ongoing inquiry, dialogue, and reflection in order to enhance their professional knowledge in support of student learning.

This course will include an overview of the Special Education policies and practices in the province of Ontario. Practical strategies for working with students who have special needs are explored through research, theory, and personal observation. Throughout the course, special emphasis is on the process by which students become identified as exceptional and ways of programming and planning for students who are identified as exceptional. Writing I.E.P.’s and the I.P.R.C. process for both identified and non-identified students will be examined in the light of new technology support. Participants will gain skills in working with parents and community agencies.

Special Education Part Two is open to all teachers who have a basic qualification in general studies or technological studies who wish to deepen their knowledge regarding students identified as exceptional; however, all classroom teachers may wish to better prepare themselves for teaching students with special needs who are included in the regular classroom. This course focuses on developing programs based on appropriate assessment for students identified as exceptional and fosters discussion on important issues that culminate in a Practical Teaching Project relevant to the participants.

Special Education Specialist is open to all elementary or secondary teachers who have a basic qualification in general studies or technological studies and who wish to deepen further their knowledge regarding students identified as exceptional. Candidates enrolled in this course have obtained the pre-requisite qualification course, Special Education Part 2. The Additional Qualification course: Special Education Specialist extends the knowledge and skills of Part 2 and continues to focus on theory and practice in special education. Critical to the delivery of special education is the ability of teachers to ensure positive learning experiences for students. The Additional Qualification course – Special Education Specialist provides candidates with more in depth information and practice in special education. As well, it focuses on leadership in the field of special education. The course continues to foster discussion on important issues that culminate in a Practical Leadership Project relevant to candidates.