ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION COURSES FOR TEACHERS (AQ’s)

The Canadian Ecology Centre has partnered with Nipissing University to offer two Additional Qualification courses during the summer months, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (Part 1, 2, Specialist) and OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION. (Note:  Not all courses run yearly)

2015 COURSES and Dates:  

There are no courses scheduled for 2015

The following AQ courses are Partial Distance courses, incorporating both face-to-face instruction as well as on-line learning modules.  Teachers will complete a minimum of 60-80 hours of the required 125 hours in a residential face-to-face delivery method.  During the face-to-face component of these courses (as mandated by the OCT), participants will complete a maximum of 8 hours of instructional hours daily and will be given one day off during the onsite portion of the course.

Both courses will involve some travel (field trips), with transportation being the responsibility of each participant.  Carpooling is encouraged.

Additional On-line components (including assignments and discussions) are also required to complete the 125 course hours in conjunction with the face-to-face portion of the course.   

Additional fees (in addition to Nipissing University tuition fees) are required for accommodation, food, and facility fees while staying at the CEC for the on-site portion of the course.

Participants must register and pay course fees to both Nipissing University (www.nipissingu.ca) AND the Canadian Ecology Centre.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AQ Part I, II, or III

DATE:  There are no courses scheduled for 2015

Confirmation of dates and course to occur in early 2015

Examine the philosophy and essential concepts of environmental education.  Applicable to teachers in all school divisions and subject matter.  A strong knowledge base in Environmental Science is not required.

Participants can only register for one (1) part at a time (ie. Environmental Science AQ Part 1 is a prerequisite for Part 2).   A minimum of 1 overnight camping experience is included in the Environmental AQ course.

ENV.SCI Part 1

Course Description and Prerequisites

(EDUC 1145 – Schedule D)

 

An examination of the philosophy of environmental education; essential concepts of environmental education as found in science, geography and social studies; a development of units of study; methods and skills involved in conducting outdoor studies and classroom follow-up; field studies and travel courses. Successful students will be recommended for the Ontario College of Teachers additional qualification ENV SC-1.

First Session, Part 1 – Applicants must:

hold or be deemed to hold an Ontario Certificate of Qualification or an Interim Certificate of Qualification; in the case of Primary Education, Junior Education, and Intermediate Education, the candidate’s Ontario Certificate of Qualification must have an entry for the area of concentration for the corresponding division.

ENV.SCI Part 2

Course Description and Prerequisites

(EDUC 2145 – Schedule D)

 

This course will provide the candidate with the competencies in planning and implementing programs in environmental science in a K-13 continuum. Topics will include change theory, Ministry guidelines, program planning, evaluation, and outdoor teaching experience. Successful candidates will be recommended for the Ontario College of Teachers additional qualification ENV SC-2.

Second Session, Part II – Applicants must:

  1. have successfully completed the first session or the equivalent thereof of the three-part Specialist course in the subject; and
  2. submit evidence of at least one year of successful teaching experience certified by the appropriate supervisory officer or at least one year of successful teaching experience outside Ontario certified by the appropriate supervisory official.  ​Experience must be completed prior to start date of course.

ENV.SCI Part 3

 Course Description and Prerequisites

(EDUC 3145 – Schedule D)

 

This course will provide the candidate with opportunities to gain competency in the organization, administration and supervision of environmental science programs and in the design, development and implementation of such programs in elementary and secondary schools. Successful candidates will be recommended for the Ontario College of Teachers additional qualification ENV SC-SPEC.

Third Session, Part III (Specialist) – Applicants must:

  1. have successfully completed the second session or the equivalent thereof of the three-part Specialist course in the subject; and
  2. submit evidence of at least two years of successful teaching experience, and at least one year experience included in the subject as certified by the appropriate supervisory officer. Experience must be completed prior to start date of course.​

OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AQ

DATE: There is no course scheduled for 2015

POSTER

Course Description (EDUC 4205 – Schedule C):

​ This one session course is intended for educators interested in extending and applying knowledge, skills and practices in the design, implementation and assessment of the curriculum.  This course will focus on the analysis and implementation of Ministry of Education curriculum documents, Ministry publications and school board policies.  An examination of the philosophy of outdoor education; essential concepts of outdoor education as found in science, geography, and social studies; a development of units of study; methods and skills involved in conducting outdoor experiential education studies and classroom follow-up.  A blend of theoretical understandings with practical applications rooted in the Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession will be the underpinning throughout the course.  ​

This course is designed to be fairly active and participants should be prepared for daily physical activity and be able to do a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, canoeing, hiking, etc…A 3-day overnight canoe trip is including in the Outdoor Experiential Education AQ course.