COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

TTA5501 Teaching Adults: Getting Started

As we prepare for the challenges facing professors of the twenty first century, this course introduces participants to the roles and responsibilities of adult educators and the strategies and tools used to actively engage all learners. Participants explore personal values and beliefs in their roles as adult educators. They learn how to use the College's Learning Management System for course delivery. Participants also conduct scholarly research using a number of educational databases and explore a variety of tools using educational technology. Participants also begin compiling their teaching portfolios due upon the completion of the TALL program.

TTA5502 Learning Theory and Managing the Learning Environment

It is important to create and establish an engaging learning environment for a variety of adult learners. The principles of adult education are explored using a series of theoretical models on teaching and learning practices. In-class and online tools help participants make connections to higher level concepts in adult education. Participants examine the strategies for creating and sustaining effective face-to-face, online or hybrid model classrooms. They also explore and reflect on the scholarship of teaching for their own professional learning and development.

TTA5503 Engaging Adult Learners with Effective Teaching Strategies

The standards of practice for effectively teaching adult learners use a variety of teaching and learning strategies. Participants examine different teaching styles and techniques to determine appropriate teaching methods that dynamically engage both the face-to-face and online learners. Participants also complete a variety of assignments, in which they receive feedback from their colleagues for reflection and professional growth.

TTA5504 Assessment and Evaluation Techniques

Assessment and evaluation techniques are integral components of the processes and outcomes of education. Participants explore the importance of reliability and validity and apply their findings to the creation of meaningful approaches to the design of performance and knowledge assessment measures. Participants examine and apply construction and objective assessment types in light of formative, summative and diagnostic perspectives through collaborative work and the use of educational technology tools.

TTA5505 Professional Standards of Practice

Consistent with the teaching competencies of the Professor of the 21st Century Framework, the standards of professional practice follow specific guidelines for adult educators. Participants understand and acknowledge Ontario Ministry Guidelines in postsecondary institutions and the significant role Algonquin College faculty play in their students' academic success. Participants become familiar with College's policies on academic performance and student conduct. They also engage in discussions around academic integrity, professional ethics, confidentiality and conflict within the classroom.

Pre-requisites: TTA5501

TTA5507 Strategies for Effectively Integrating Educational Technology

Integrating technology into effective teaching practices enhances productivity and helps student learn. Participants examine a variety of educational tools that help engage learners and support online curriculum in new ways. Participants look at current research in digital and online learning, discover techniques to manage contemporary learning environments and experiment with a number of innovative tools.

Pre-requisites: TTA5501

TTA5506 Teaching Practicum

Under the guidance of a mentor, and in collaboration with a peer group, adult educators model professional practice within the discipline of teaching. Participants demonstrate their abilities to effectively manage the learning environment and actively engage critical thinking. Participants organize appropriate teaching strategies, learning activities and assessment methods for their students and professional colleagues. They also have the opportunity to evaluate and reflect on their current teaching practices and set professional learning goals.

Pre-requisites: TTA5501 and TTA5502 and TTA5503 and TTA5504 and TTA5505 and TTA5507 (8)

EDU2013 Applied Research and Education

Applied research uses new or existing knowledge to solve real-world challenges; it has immediate practical application. Participants explore the concepts and types of educational applied research and learn essentials of proposal writing, funding and the ethics approval process. They examine completed applied research initiatives within educational programs and identify and write a short proposal for an applied research project.

TTA5508 Course Development

Developing effective curriculum helps engage learners and supports student success. Participants select, design or redesign a learning unit and develop appropriate learning goals of study. Participants construct the various elements of the course outline, understanding the importance of the Vocational Learning Outcomes (VLOs), the Course Learning Requirements (CLRs) and the embedded knowledge and skills. Through the development of this learning unit, complete with appropriate activities and assessments for the learning environment, participants measure the learning outcomes that support the goals of the course. They also construct a variety of activities for their learners both in the face-to face and online learning environments.

Pre-requisites: TTA5501

TTA5509 Presentation Skills

The discipline of teaching adult learners requires educators to demonstrate knowledge and experience in the practice of public speaking. Participants learn how to manage the anxiety of public speaking while enhancing their performance as communicators through the use of nonverbal communication skills. Participants practise and refine their techniques of public speaking for articulating successful speeches and engaging audiences. Participants also learn strategies for effectively managing challenging situations in the classroom environment.