A teaching assistant also called as a paraprofessional or paraeducator some time, records grades, sets up equipment and helps in the preparation of instructional materials. Some of them perform only secretarial tasks which are not academically based. Other TA’s however, are given tasks that are a combination of clerical and instructional duties. A teaching assistant ideally gives instructional support to students through the supervision and guidance of a licensed teacher.
This may come in a form of one on one academical support or by groups. TA’s will have to listen while students read, review or reinforce class lessons, or help them come up with information for reports or assignments. At secondary level, these teaching assistants will have to specialize in one subject like science or math. There may also be times when a teaching assistant will be assigned to work at computer laboratories, helping students in using computers and some educational software programs. There are Online Teaching Assistant Courses England , so now the courses can be taken completely online.
In addition to the previously mentioned responsibilities and tasks of a teaching assistant, he/she also grades test papers, check homework, keeps safe the health and attendance records, does, encoding, arranging and duplication of the different materials. Furthermore, a teaching assistant also stock supplies, operates audiovisual equipment, and keeps all the equipment in the classroom in an orderly manner.
Some of the individuals who became a teaching assistant also experienced dealing extensively with special children. As schools become more comprehensive and merge special students into general classrooms, these teacher assistants have been continuously increasing in demand to offer support to these disabled children. The needs of the physically disabled children, including their grooming and hygiene habits, feeding and social interaction, are all under the care of the teaching assistant. There are also others who provide focused attention to foreign students who has English as their second language. A teacher assistant also helps in the assessment of a student’s improvement in performance through constant observation.