Communication and Collaboration
(Self-Paced MODULE)
Introduction to the Module
This module is for paraprofessionals, like you, whose roles require frequent communication. It covers how effective communication can improve your work with students (including English language learners), parents, teachers, and other professionals. It also highlights the importance of teamwork in planning, designing, and adjusting instruction for students.
Each unit focuses on communication topics and activities, emphasizing skills that promote collaboration. Effective collaboration among school staff is key to delivering successful instruction.
Communication and Collaboration
(Self-Paced MODULE)
Registered users can enroll in this and other modules offered on OPEPP.org and keep track of their progress.
There are 10 units. Each includes a variety of learning activities:
Make real life connections… through scenarios and reflective exercises.
READ… an overview summarizes the major ideas presented in the unit
WATCH… a slideshow that presents relevant information in a varied format.
ENGAGE… with specific content that supports and strengthens your understanding.
Get introduced to relevant online resources… many of the units also include documents providing links to relevant on-line resources.
The Core Competencies for Special Education Paraeducators from the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) provide a structured framework for ensuring that paraeducators are adequately prepared to support students with disabilities in various educational settings. By focusing on the four key areas of collaboration, assessment, social/emotional/behavioral development, and instruction, these competencies align with the High Leverage Practices (HLPs) for special educators. These practices are critical for fostering effective, inclusive educational experiences for all students.
By completing the module, Communication and Collaboration paraeducators will work towards the core competency of collaboration improving their skills and knowledge as they learn how to work closely with teachers, administrators, students, parents, and related services personnel to implement individualized supports for students. Effective collaboration ensures that the needs of students with disabilities are met and that the educational environment is inclusive. The following core competencies are used as the base of this module.
K 3.6 – Understand the Rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities and the personnel who serve them
S 3.2 Support a safe and equitable learning environment that honors diversity and inclusion under the guidance of the instructional team
S 4.1 Record objective and accurate data using collection procedures determined by the instructional team
S 5.2 Follow written instructional plans provided by the instructional team, seeking clarification and training as needed
K 7.1 Purpose of effective teamwork to improve student outcomes
K 7.2 Communication styles and strategies for problem-solving and decision making
s 7.1 Establish and maintain professional, collegial, and appropriate relationships with school personnel, students, and their families
S 7.2 Communicate effectively with school personnel, students and their families as determined by the instructional team
S 7.3 Attend meetings and participate with other team members
We suggest that it would be best for paraeducators and educators who support them to complete this module in tandem.
Some OPEPP partnering districts create professional learning communities (PLCs) where paraeducators meet up regularly to share what they have learned from the OPEPP modules. This is a productive practice that has increased para engagement in their professional development.
Check out these brief facilitator guides to support some of the KEY INFORMATION in this module.
Time to Complete in Full: Approximately 7 hours
This Module has 10 units and 55 lessons on a variety of topics organized by subheadings that all connect to what paraeducators need to know.
CERTIFICATES of COMPLETION:
Upon completion of each page of the course work we suggest your keep your notes either on our TAKE NOTES assistant that pops up on each page or one paper so that you can share the knowledge you’ve gained with your colleagues and your supervisor if they ask for it.
If you passed the follow up post-test, you can receive a certificate of completion. Although we estimate how long these courses take, our certificates only say course completed (we do not identify how it took you because we are not able to verify that from our site).
To Retrieve your Certificate,
you will LOGIN
Got to your DASHBOARD
Got to MY CERTIFICATES
where you can show it to your supervisor, save it to your computer to share electronically, take a picture of the certificate or screenshot or you can print it to share a physical copy of it with your supervisor.
HOW DO DISTRICTS USE the CERTIFICATES
It depends on each district. It is up to the district to determine how they will count or collect the information around your course completion.
Do you teach young children ages birth to five? If so, this module is approved by the Ohio Childcare Resource and Referral Association.
Follow the steps below to earn credit in OCCRRA.
- Go to the OCCRRA Registry to search for the training.
- Use the search box at the top of the page under Find a Training- Search Communication and Collaboration OPEPP or use this link to get directly to it https://registry.occrra.org/cart/view_training/10152636
- Click on the training to review training details and add the training to your cart.
- View cart and checkout. You must successfully check out to complete the registration process through OCCRRA.
- Once you checkout, you will see a screen verifying your order has been successfully placed in OCCRRA.
- You will receive a confirmation email for your training registration from OCCRRA.
- Then, return back to the OPEPP.org site, LOGIN and register for the Communication and Collaboration Module
- Now, you are registered for credit through both OPEPP and OCCRRA.
OCCRRA verification
If you want the OCCRRA verification and credit, you will need to register separately on OCCRRA for this course. If your verification is not showing up through the OCCRRA site, please email Julie Kugler-Ackley at jkackley@fuse.net, and she will look into it for you. If you are interested in verifying that your work has been verified through OCCRRA, it is best to do so on your computer rather than through your phone or mobile access.