College Diploma - Educational Support (ED)

The updated two-year Educational Support diploma program prepares students to work in a school setting as part of the educational team who support children with special needs. Graduates will help children with learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, sensory or physical disabilities and behavioural challenges.

Technology plays a key role in today’s modern classroom or institutional setting, and this program will enhance a students' knowledge of digital literacy and the assistive technologies they will use in their future career. Students will graduate fully prepared to help students using iPads and current apps, including SMART Boards and other assistive technologies, such as voice-to-text software.

In the second and third semesters, the roles of teacher and educational assistant will be explored and more clearly defined. Students will learn how to:

• manage behaviour • modify educational programming • support exceptional children • assist with curriculum planning

During third semester, students will spend three days a week in class at the College and two days a week in a classroom in an area school. The final part of the program is an intensive, semester-long, practical learning experience in an educational setting or agency. During this extensive placement experience, students will work with students with a range of exceptionalities including autism, physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, visual impairments, and learning disabilities.