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Course Overview
Embark on a transformative learning journey with the UK’s most innovative home study provider, offering courses designed to unlock your true potential and facilitate the career change you desire. Access our distance learning courses directly from anywhere, anytime, and acquire industry-recognised Professional Qualifications essential for advancing in your career.
Specifically, explore the flexible and convenient Support Teaching (Level 3) course, an ideal way to gain a diploma qualification. Whether you aim for further education, improved job prospects, or expanded knowledge, this comprehensive course allows you to prepare thoroughly for exams or careers through home study. Plus, it’s structured to be accessible and beneficial even if you have no prior knowledge in Support Teaching .
Teaching support staff play a pivotal role in the educational ecosystem, encompassing various titles such as Classroom Assistant, School Assistant, Special Needs Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, and Individual Support Assistant. Each title carries nuanced responsibilities, reflecting the diverse needs of students and classrooms. Despite these differences, a common thread unites them – the essential need for a robust knowledge base, understanding, and specialised training.
This course emerges as a beacon in the realm of educational support, designed to empower individuals already engaged in these roles or those aspiring to contribute effectively in a classroom setting alongside teachers. It goes beyond mere job roles, aiming to instill a profound understanding of the theories underpinning education and the critical skills required to support teachers competently.
Structured with clarity, the course revolves around well-defined learning outcomes outlined at the beginning of each module. These outcomes serve as a roadmap, offering students a checklist of topics and issues they should master by the module’s conclusion. This deliberate structure ensures a comprehensive grasp of the multifaceted aspects of classroom support, fostering confidence in the learners’ abilities.
At the culmination of each module, a thoughtfully crafted assignment awaits, comprising a blend of short-answer questions and essay-style responses. Module 1 kickstarts this journey by providing guidance on material evaluation and diverse writing styles, setting a strong foundation for subsequent modules.
The crowning achievement of this course is the online examination that follows its completion. This examination serves as a capstone, validating the learners’ acquired knowledge and ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the challenges posed by the dynamic educational landscape. In essence, this course is not merely an academic pursuit; it’s a transformative journey that elevates teaching support staff to new heights of expertise, contributing significantly to the enhancement of overall educational efficacy.
Course Key Topics
the Support Teaching (Level 3) course is divided into 10 modules.
Module 1: Introduction and ICT (Information, Communication and Technology)
ICT is now a major part of learning at all levels. Therefore this module will look at ICT and the different mediums that teaching assistants may use to support learning. This will include the use of computers, the internet and looking at portfolio based assessment and feedback.
The communication part of ICT is also concerned with personal reflection in order to identify strengths, weaknesses and explore practice in order to maintain standards and advance professional development. Therefore this module will look at SWOT analysis, reflective practice and continued professional development, as well as general issues of communication.
Module 2: Supporting learning activities
Supporting learning activities includes supporting teachers, other educational staff and students. This is probably the most important part of the teaching assistant’s role.
In this unit we look at what is needed in order to plan, support and evaluate learning activities in whatever setting they may take place.
We will discuss the possible problems you may encounter and how to deal with these; including how to build relationships, strategies and policies etc.
Module 3: Understanding Child Development
This module builds on module 2, we will look at child development and learning in some detail. The module also looks at how child development influences cognition and learning. Therefore there will be some anatomy, physiology and psychology within this unit, together with evaluation of theories.
The intention of this unit is to give students the opportunity to develop observational skills and the competency to analyse different contexts and situations in order to formulate an appropriate action or activity.
The module will also include reference to legislation regarding safety, protection and confidentiality.
Module 4: Child Safety and Protection
Working with children requires that you know about procedures and policies within your particular working environment with regard to keeping children safe from harm and provision of a suitable environment. Therefore in this module we will be evaluating the different legislation in place and how this affects the responsibilities and day to day activities of the teaching assistant.
One of the key frameworks in place and that will be discussed is the Every Child Matters Framework.
On completion of this module you should be able to identify key legislation and describe what your own role and responsibilities are within the framework. This will include everything from safeguarding children, manual handling, hygiene practices and reporting procedures.
Module 5: Understanding relationships
Building relationships is a key skill within any educational setting. We will have discussed this briefly in module 2 but here we look at the underpinning theories and psychological background. Positive learning experiences is dependent on positive relationships; therefore we look at communication in detail, for example listening, body language etc. these were briefly covered in module 1 but here we look at how communication takes place at different ages. This will involve exploring how language develops, challenges of non-English speaking students, cultural considerations, and the differences when communicating with children compared to young adults.
Module 6: Literacy and numeracy activities
Whether your role includes helping with numeracy and literacy activities or not, you will at some point need to be involved with these in your student support.
This module discusses how literacy and numeracy skills are promoted and the types of activities that are used to help students in this respect.
We will look at how children learn to read, write and comprehend as well as assimilate numbers and simple mathematical problems (although there is not the scope within the course to cover these topics in depth). In addition the module will explore different influencing factors such as setting, student ability and prior learning.
Module 7: Supporting learning through play
Children in their early years learn through play activities. In this module we explore the concepts, theories and models of play, and offer supporting theoretical evidence for evaluation and consideration.
Structured pay activities are designed to facilitate learning in many ways and for specific subjects such as reading and mathematics. The module will look at many example activities and explore the teaching assistant role in this respect. In addition equipment and environment will be discussed.
Children’s imagination is an important tool in the learning process. Play fosters use of imaginative and cognitive processes. Therefore we will spend some time looking at these and assessing the influence different activities have on skills.
Module 8: Supporting performance and assessment activities
Assessment in either formative or summative forms is integral to education at all levels. This module will first define and discuss formative and summative assessment and then look at the role of teaching assistants in these processes.
You will explore different techniques such as observation of social and emotional skills, how to evaluate language and communication skills both with staff and other children.
The module will also discuss how these observations are reported and discussed with teaching staff.
In addition and for information we will briefly look at summative assessment and how this may affect the teaching assistant role.
Module 9: Supporting special educational needs
Many students in mainstream education have special educational requirements because of disabilities, learning problems or other contributing factors.
Teaching assistants in this field may be required to support and liaise with parents, guardians, social workers and other professionals in order to assess progress and develop appropriate actions and activities.
This module will explore some special education requirements examples together with the legislation which governs provision of these services within educational establishments.
We will also look at special skills requirements and training.
Module 10: Supporting learners in special environments (for example therapy, tests and examinations)
There is a vast array of different situations where the teaching assistant may be required to support learning and these might be outside the ‘normal’ educational environment. For example you may be required to support learning in therapy sessions as these may be part of the learning programme. This module will look at the supporting legislation and special skills requirement, such as reporting and documenting.
Invigilating or supervising students during tests and examinations is a common part of the teaching assistance role. The module will look at the processes within the test or examination process and examine the protocols to be observed and skills required for this role.
At the end of this unit a brief overview of the course will be presented.
(Please click on the curriculum tab above to see a detailed view of each module)
Course Content
Support Teaching (Level 3) – FREE Starter Pack
How to…. (a series of explainer videos)
Module 1 – Introduction and ICT (Information, Communication and Technology)
Module 2 – Supporting learning activities
Module 3 – Understanding Child Development
Module 4 – Child Safety and Protection
Module 5 – Understanding relationships
Module 6 – Literacy and numeracy activities
Module 7 – Supporting learning through play
Module 8 – Supporting performance and assessment activities
Module 9 – Supporting special educational needs
Module 10 – Supporting learners in special environments (for example therapy, tests and examinations)
Course Resources
Final Exam
College Announcements
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The Support Teaching Level 3 (QLS) Course, presented by Open Learning College, opens doors to a fulfilling journey in supporting educational development. This comprehensive course comprises 12 engaging modules, covering topics such as classroom assistance, child development, special educational needs, literacy and numeracy activities, and much more.
💪 What Sets Our Course Apart
Flexible Learning: Tailor your study schedule with 24/7 access to course materials.
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Practical Insights: Acquire valuable skills and knowledge essential for excelling in support teaching roles.
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This course delves into the intricate responsibilities of support staff with precision. The modules, especially Child Safety, Literacy, and Supporting Special Educational Needs, provided actionable insights. The assignments were challenging yet rewarding, reinforcing theoretical knowledge through practical scenarios. The emphasis on assessment activities and special environments broadened my understanding. The online examination validated my learning journey. If you're a support staff member aspiring for excellence, this course is your gateway to comprehensive and empowering education.
Michael Carter