Qualification - CERTIFICATE IN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION

Teacher Training for Alternative Education

Education comes in many different shapes and forms, and traditional education systems do not suit everyone. Some people simply don’t learn as well in a highly structured or conventional situation. Sometimes, a parent or employer seeks a different kind of learning: perhaps one that is more focused on the capacity to be innovative and creative and less focused on learning facts and skills; or learning that is more based on developing problem-solving skills. Also, there is a worldwide increasing demand for more flexible forms of delivery or multi-model education. We have designed this course for educators and trainers who want to develop the skills and broader perspective that will help them meet these new and changing demands. It will help you develop alternative education strategies and alternative educational options to meet the changing needs of students and employers.

With its emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning, this course is ideal as a supplement or complement to education certificates, diplomas or degrees, and also, as a basic training course for educators or trainers who are interested in alternative education methods.

Study Alternative Education as Teacher Training

Learn How to Learn
Learn to operate a school or college
Explore the changing nature of education and emerging ideas.
Discover options for a career or business opportunities in the education industry, which you might not have even considered.

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS

Six modules required are outlined below:

Module 1. CLASSROOM DELIVERY SKILLS BWR006

The course contains eight lessons:

Interpersonal Communication in Education
Listening Skills
Understanding Motivation
Motivational Factors
Applying Motivation to Education
Stress Management
Conflict Management
Mediation and Negotiation

Module 2. COURSE WRITING BGN107

There are 9 lessons in this module as follows:

Bases for Education
Course Writing Methodologies
Level of Study
Curriculum Documentation
Course Materials
Course Material Creation
Reviewing and Updating Courses
Recognition and Accreditation
Application and Implementation.

Module 3. DELIVERING DISTANCE EDUCATION BGN108

There are nine lessons in this module as follows:

Scope and Nature of Distance Education -how it is different
Getting the student started
Supporting Students
Real Time Support
Managing Resources
Assessment
Student Administration
Communication Skills
Supporting Graduates

Module 4. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY BPS105

There are eight lessons in this module as follows:

Introduction -Development & Learning Theory
Behavioural Learning
Information Processing
Memory Retention & Loss
Individual Needs
Constructivist Learning
Motivation

Module 5. DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY BPS210

There are ten lessons in this module as follows:

Theoretical Approaches and Key Concepts
Early Childhood - Cognitive & Social Development in the First 6 Years
Middle Childhood - Cognitive, Moral & Social Development in the Primary School Years
Challenges of Middle Childhood
Adolescence - Cognitive, Moral & Social Development
Challenges of Adolescence
Adulthood - Cognitive and Psycho-social Development in Early and Middle Adulthood
Challenges of Adulthood
Late Adulthood - Cognitive and Psycho-social Changes in the Elderly
Challenges of Late Adulthood

Module 6. WORKSHOP I

There are 3 lessons in this module, each requiring the student to complete a substantial problem-based learning project:

1. Workplace Tools, Equipment and Materials - Identifying and describing the operation of tools and equipment used in the workplace; routine maintenance of tools and equipment; identifying and comparing materials used in the workplace; using different materials to perform workplace tasks.

2. Workplace Skills - Determining key practical skills in the workplace; identifying and comparing commonly-performed workplace tasks; determining acceptable standards for workplace tasks; implementing techniques for improving workplace efficiency.

3. Workplace Safety - Identifying health and safety risks in the workplace; complying with industry OH&S standards; developing safety guidelines for handling dangerous items.

Note: Substitutes for any of these modules may be discussed, and approved by an academic officer.

Why Choose to Study an ACS Certificate?

We have been at the forefront of alternative education since the 1970's
We offer options to choose electives that you don't find in similar diplomas elsewhere.
Certificates are often longer, and more in depth than what is offered at many other colleges (Compare -600 hours). Study more, learn more, go further in your career or business.
We focus more on learning (some colleges focus more on assessment than we do -but we believe that what you learn is what makes the difference)
More support ... you have unlimited access from tutors in helping you learn ... we often hear from our graduates that this is a major advantage they have found with our courses
Exceptional tutors...compare the qualifications and experience of our staff (see staff profiles at ...https://www.thecareersguide.com/Page-About_Us-Staff-300 ) ....after all, it doesn't make sense to choose

What is an Educator Today?

Most people consider educators as being teachers who lecture to a class in a classroom; but the world has changed, and is continuing to change; and this is not necessarily the case.

The traditional "teacher" is not always as effective as we might hope; and that "lecturing" style of education is one that has been questioned and challenged over recent history. New and alternative methods of educating people are emerging all the time; some still classroom based; other not based in a classroom at all.

The future of education is likely to be increasingly diverse; and the way in which educators work is likely to be more varied in the future than what it was in the past.

Education is the process of giving and acquiring knowledge. This may be in a more traditional teaching role, or it may be that you have a desire to pass on the skills that you have developed on to others. There are many different ways to work in education, and in today’s world education is changing. In the past there were generally strict pathways for education – school, university, and apprentice type training. These days, through the schooling system there are several ways to receive education – for example attend school; do home schooling; do correspondence school via internet, hard copy or the radio; attend school part-time whilst completing a traineeship. Once you leave school the options are endless. You can learn skills on the job, go to trade schools, university, community colleges, vocational training, apprenticeships, distance education (vocation and university) and more.

You can see from these examples that one of the main differences is the delivery modes that are available these days, most notably the difference that the internet has made to the way education can be delivered.

Opportunities

No one can predict with certainty what might happen over coming decades; but there are trends which have started to emerge:

The traditional model for universities and vocational colleges has been losing relevance over recent decades. A recent media report stated "We have too many under educated students and too many second rate universities" Traditional institutions in developed countries have been churning out graduates for years who either become unemployed; or cannot get jobs in areas related to what they studied.
Alternative education is expanding while traditional education is under increasing pressure.
Research has shown teachers in traditional schools (primary, secondary and tertiary) are increasingly stressed.
Research is showing that employers are placing less emphasis on qualifications, ....however, learning. knowledge and skills are still highly valued by employers
New opportunities continue to emerge in alternative forms of delivery. Online education is a boom industry. Production of multimedia and educational video is booming....but teachers in the classroom are stressed.

The way the education industry is heading provides any skilled person, in any industry to become an educator. We now have the opportunity of delivering education to anyone, anywhere in the world.

Risks and challenges

This is an industry being affected strongly by politics, money and technological change. The availability of information on the internet, for instance, has changed people's access to learning materials, but much of what is available might not always be correct. At the same time, access to up to date published books has diminished.
The nature of work and business opportunities in education is relatively unstable; and likely to remain so for a long time. People who can adapt and embrace change as a positive thing may be well suited; but for those who are disarmed by change, education may not offer the same stable business or career opportunity that it once did.
Starting your own school or training course can be hard work, and difficult to get off the ground. You may need assistance with admin, business, and marketing support.

How to become an educator

There are many different routes to become an educator. People with specialist knowledge or skills will often be well placed to find employment in their area of expertise either as a teacher, or perhaps running their own tutoring service or even school. Sometimes such people will obtain work as a teachers aid, and from that beginning, their career might move forward to bigger and better things. For others, a career in education begins with a substantial course in education at a college or university.

You may come to teaching through specializing in another industry and becoming an educator either within your workplace, within a training organisation, or within your own training business.

No matter what kind of educator you intend to become, you will need to start with your own education (whether that is through formal, or hands on training) in an industry, followed by training in education. You can learn education delivery skills through university or vocational training.