Para eLink Minnesota’s Online Training For Paraprofessionals

Para eLink Minnesota’s Online Training For Paraprofessionals A Three Minute Tour

High quality paraprofessional training has never been easier or more convenient for Minnesota schools.

The goal of Para eLink is to improve and enhance the skills of paraprofessionals, who are essential to student success.

Para eLink offers training in each of the nine core competency areas for paraprofessionals established by the Minnesota Paraprofessional Consortium.

The core competency areas covering the work of paraprofessionals…

One of the many core competency areas is “Instructional Content and Practice.”

The title of each competency area is stated at the top of the core area gateway page.

Each core area has an introduction…

…Each core area has a list of competencies that support the area, leading to instructional units with associated lessons.

Each core area has an explore section for deeper understanding...

… And a comprehensive area review.

As mentioned before, each core area has a list of competencies that support the acquisition of knowledge and skills specific to the area.

One of the competencies for this area is “Awareness of the challenges and expectations of various learning environments.” Clicking the hyperlinked text 4.2 opens its associated unit …

When competencies are closely related, they are addressed in the same unit. These competencies are listed at the top. As can be seen, there are three competencies addressed in this unit.

Each unit has an introduction…

…A set of instructional objectives…

…A set of lessons (including activities and self-assessments)…

…And a summary.

By clicking your cursor on the “Lesson” button you will find six lessons connected with this unit.

The lessons apply directly to paraprofessionals and the work they do.

This unit includes the topic of instruction and learning styles. Accordingly, one of the lessons offered for this unit is “How to Use Personal Learning Style Information.”

This lesson marker indicates this is the second lesson out of six for this unit.

This particular lesson covers three types of learning styles.

Lessons include reinforcement activities to ensure that paraprofessionals have an opportunity to check their skills and knowledge.

This reinforcement, for example, asks paraprofessionals to generate examples of activities that are appropriate for three different learning styles - each addressing the same instructional objective.

Facilitators are an integral part of the Para eLink training. Two sections are provided for facilitators: 1. Internal: resources within the Para eLink site 2. External: resources within the Para eLink Facilitator site Training and Supporting Facilitators at Schools, Districts, or Community Colleges

Within the site, each unit has a facilitator supplement with a list of worksheets, suggestions for facilitated activities, and discussion topics. Training and Supporting Facilitators at Schools, Districts, or Community Colleges

Facilitators are also given guidance in developing their own specific online communities for their paraprofessional students. Training and Supporting Facilitators at Schools, Districts, or Community Colleges

The Para eLink Facilitator site includes: additional supplemental materials best practices and suggestions facilitator-only access to 1) the answer keys for area reviews and 2) the listserv announcing new developments Training and Supporting Facilitators at Schools, Districts, or Community Colleges

Tap the Power of Online Training For Paraprofessionals In Your District

For more information on offering Para eLink in your school or district contact Teri Wallace