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DIVISION OF HUMANITIES & EDUCATION
JBTE Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education / Primary Education /Secondary Education
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Award: Associate of Arts Degree
Study Mode: Full-Time/Part Time
Duration: 2 Years/3 Years
Overview
JBTE Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education / Primary Education /Secondary Education
Three Associate degree programmes managed by the Eastern Caribbean Joint Board of Teacher Education, School of Education of the University of the West Indies are offered in the field of Humanities and Education. The programmes are accessible on a part time basis. The degrees target practicing or in-service practitioners, prospective teachers and educators. Graduates completing either degree become empowered to facilitate learning in early childhood, primary or secondary classrooms. The degrees also qualify graduates to access a range of bachelor degree programmes in education and related fields. In addition to becoming trained classroom teachers the associate degrees provide the foundational knowledge to propel graduates into specialized areas of study including curriculum development and design, education coaching, counseling, educational leadership, subject specific tutoring , assessment and evaluation and youth development.
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education – This associate degree is a three-year part time programme. It targets students interested in working with young children ages 3 to 8 years old. Students are introduced to theories of early childhood development and study the methodologies for teaching students in early childhood centres and in Grades K to 2 of primary school. Students complete a total of 22 courses towards the degree.
Associate Degree in Primary Education – This associate degree is a three-year part time programme. It targets students interested in working with elementary of middle to upper primary students ages 8 to 12 years old. Students are introduced to theories of child development and learning. They study various approaches and methodologies for teaching students in all primary Grades K to 6. Students complete a total of 23 courses towards the degree.
Associate Degree in Secondary Education – This associate degree is a three-year part time programme. It targets students interested in working with secondary school students ages 12 to 17 years old. Students are introduced to theories of adolescent development and learning. They study various approaches and methodologies for teaching students at the secondary level. Students complete a total of 23 courses towards the degree. In-service teachers also have the opportunity to take courses within their area of specialization or in the subject they teach. The areas of specialization include English, Mathematics, History, Modern Languages (French and Spanish), Business Studies, Geography, Social Studies and Science and Technology.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements: Full-time students The minimum of five subjects for admission must include:
1. English Language 2. Mathematics 3. Principles of Business and/or Economics 4. Principles of Accounts 5. 1 or more subjects Admission to the program requires five CSEC subjects (General Proficiency) at Grades 1, 2, or 3* OR GCE Ordinary Level- Grades A, B, or C. *Grade 3 attained in July 1998 or thereafter. Part-time students Part-time applicants who do not meet the above criteria and are aged 23 or older must have at least 5 years of work experience to be admitted as mature students.
Careers
1. Educator
Programme Structure
Programme Structure
YEAR 1: Associate Degree in Education (ADE) – Early Childhood
YEAR 2: Associate Degree in Education (ADE) – Primary
Semester 1
College Readiness: GED 101 This course introduces students to basics of tertiary education in preparation for their transition from secondary school to an institution of higher learning. They are expected to complete various modules in time management, critical listening, group working and academic writing. Communication for Tertiary Purposes: GED 102 This foundational communication course is designed to introduce students to the communication process, channel and associated theories. It enables them to interpret and analyse verbal and non-verbal cues to critically evaluate various forms of communication in personal, professional, and societal contexts. In addition, it will help students improve their critical thinking and academic writing skills necessary for becoming effective communicators in business organisations.
English & Communication I COM 100 This course aims to enhance students’ information gathering and processing skills. It focuses on both the reading and listening skills required for basic research, effective comprehension and assimilation and summary of information. The course is designed to alert students to the processes involved in reading and listening and the strategies that could aid those processes. Students are expected to utilize the available technology as well as all library resources.
Philosophical Foundations of Early Childhood Education ECPF 101 This course aims to help student teachers acquire the knowledge and skills to become sensitive and competent classroom practitioners, capable of creating appropriate and effective learning environments for young children. Student teachers will acquire knowledge and understanding of the foundations of early childhood education and contemporary trends in early childhood curriculum practice. Teachers will study the key theories and perspectives of teaching and learning with particular emphasis on childhood studies, constructivist and developmentally appropriate approaches and strategies for teaching at the early childhood level. Student teachers will be expected to reflect on the theories and their own.
Introduction to the Social and Cultural Foundations of Education EDSF 101 This introductory course examines philosophical, historical, social and cultural perspectives that impact educational policies and practices. It aims to provide teachers with the knowledge, skills and techniques necessary for them to reflect on issues that have practical importance in the classroom and school system.
Semester 2
English & Communications II COM 101 This course aims to develop students' ability to use Standard English structures to express themselves clearly, precisely and fluently in speech and writing and to evaluate that ability in themselves and their peers. It is designed to alert students to the processes used in oral and written communication. The course also focuses on providing students with opportunities to produce different types of communication while selecting and combining forms, media, channels and technologies to maximize effective communication.
Teaching Mathematics to Young Children ECMT 101 This course will cover the following elements of mathematics: number concepts, patterns, spatial sense, measurement, data collection, and data representation. Student teachers will learn how to plan and execute developmentally appropriate math lessons that integrate into other areas of the curriculum. Inquiry-based, hands-on learning will be emphasized as will research-based teaching strategies.
Early Childhood Science & Health ECSH 101 This course will give student teachers the knowledge to encourage young children’s natural curiosity about how the world works. Student teachers will be given opportunities to explore concepts first as learners. Subsequently, they will apply the knowledge and concepts they learn during the course to early childhood settings to offer children developmentally appropriate, hands-on science and health curricula. Student teachers will learn current research-based strategies that promote young children's inquiry and learning. Activities culturally relevant to the Eastern Caribbean environment will be emphasized.
Semester 3 Early Language Acquisition and Literacy Development ECLA 101 This course focuses on theories of language and early literacy development and how these theories inform practice in early childhood education, particularly as they apply to children from birth through age 8. The acquisition of the sounds, syntax, and meanings of language as well as the relation between oral language development and concepts of print, emergent literacy, family and community contexts are examined along with issues stemming from language diversity. Students benefit from a review of the scientific and pedagogical research, which undergirds the knowledge of early childhood development and curriculum and instruction in a variety of early childhood settings.
YEAR 2 Semester 1 Caribbean Studies ACC 200 This course offers an interdisciplinary study of the Caribbean region, with a particular focus on its rich history, diverse cultures, and complex social realities. It aims to explore the unique challenges faced by the region's people, including political, economic, social, and environmental issues. By delving into the many facets of the Caribbean, this course aims to showcase the region's incredible diversity and passion.
Child Development: Birth through Eight Years Old ECCD 101 This course focuses on developmentally appropriate practices in the socialization and education of young children derived from principles of child growth and development. Students explore the developmental and behavioral characteristics at different ages and stages of the growth and maturation processes. The course places emphasis on the interrelatedness of developmental domains to enable student-teachers to see the child, including the child with special needs, as a “whole” person and to understand how holistic growth can be fostered in the early childhood classroom. The course also introduces key research and emerging issues relevant to the Eastern Caribbean context, and encourages student-teachers to reflect on their own childhood experiences and relate theoretical concepts to real-life situations.
Techniques in Classroom Investigation EDCI 101 Today, there is an emphasis on providing quality education for all the students who enter the classroom. In order to do this, teachers must be skilled at identifying areas of need and seeking viable solutions. This calls for skills in investigation. This course prepares teachers to identify areas of need, collect data for investigative purposes, plan and implement solutions, monitor the outcomes and make decisions about future actions. The course is designed to help teachers develop and implement action on action research in their classrooms.
Semester 2 Children’s Literature in the Early Childhood Classroom ECCL 101 The primary intent of this course is to explore international literature for young children. This is a survey course of children’s literature and the resource materials related to that literature. Student teachers will closely examine visual images, read and respond to children’s books, with a primary focus on picture books, and engage in dialogue and hands-on activities about reading. Literature will be critiqued from multicultural and global perspectives in order to expand teachers’ understandings of the cultural pluralism in children’s lives and throughout the world.
Early Childhood Language Arts and Reading and Decoding ECRD 101 This course begins by reviewing the development of oral and written language in young children and moves toward helping student teachers apply this knowledge to the exploration of teaching and learning reading as children develop. Attention is given to both culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate approaches for young children. Through the use of current research, emphasis is placed on process oriented, contextualized, and integrated ways of teaching the language arts.
Classroom Processes and Instruction in the Early Childhood Classroom ECCP 101 This course provides an introduction to the cognitive and behavioural processes associated with meeting the needs of young children and their families. The course content focuses on classroom observation, child guidance and classroom management; differentiated instructional strategies--developmentally appropriate practices and approaches; and planning. Student teachers will be able to display comprehensive knowledge of the different ways children learn.
Methods of Educational Assessment in the Early Childhood Classroom EAEC 101 This course will enable student teachers to: 1) Understand the importance of assessment in the context of the instructional cycle 2) Monitor children’s educational progress 3) Use valid, reliable assessment strategies appropriate for assessment purpose(s) and each child’s developmental level 4) Analyze and interpret results, draw conclusions, and report results to a variety of audiences 5) Formulate instructional plans based on assessment results.
Semester 3 Reading & Writing across the Curriculum EDCL 101 This course is designed to help teachers develop a positive attitude towards teaching reading and writing skills in the content area. Teachers become familiar with strategies for reading and writing in the content areas and acquire skills in teaching reading and writing in the content areas; and using content area reading and writing strategies as instructional tools.
YEAR 3 Semester 1 Social Studies Methods in the Early Childhood Classroom ECSS 101 This course will provide teachers with the developmentally appropriate strategies, content knowledge, and skills for basic social studies concepts required to teach children from birth through 8-years-old. Student teachers will learn how to plan and integrate social studies concepts throughout the early childhood curriculum using inquiry-based, hands-on activities.
Inclusion of Children with Special Needs in the Early Childhood Classroom ECSN 101 The purpose of this course is to provide early childhood educators with a foundation of best educational practices for including children with diverse abilities in the early childhood classroom. Student teachers will gain an understanding of the characteristics of children with diverse learning needs, including children who are developing typically and those with varying developmental, sensory, physical, and/or behavioral challenges. This course presents specific information, techniques, and methods for developing age-appropriate and meaningful programming within typical early childhood settings for students who have varying exceptionalities such as autism, multiple disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and emotional and behavioral disorders.
Creative Arts for the Young Child ECCA 101 The purpose of the course is to familiarize student teachers with approaches to the creative arts as they may be applied in early childhood settings. Student teachers will learn about visual arts, drama, music, and movement activities for young children. Additionally they will learn how the creative arts foster total development. The teacher’s role in planning developmentally appropriate creative arts curriculum is emphasized throughout the course. Student teachers will have opportunities to design, implement, and participate in various creative arts projects.
Semester 2 Extended Classroom Practicum ECP 101 This practical course requires teachers to teach the core subjects of the primary curriculum in a selected class for a period of ten consecutive weeks.