An introductory investigation of the school context from the vantage points of students, teachers, and others involved in education. The course includes 3 hours of on-campus work each week and 60-80 hours of field experience in both elementary and secondary classrooms over the term.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to foundational instructional processes informed by cognitive science, blending theory and practice with collaborative reflection to prepare students for effective teaching. Through a cyclical process of theoretical coursework, micro-teaching, and reflection on practice, students deepen their understanding of essential teaching frameworks, lesson planning, instructional design, and assessment practices. Coursework emphasizes unpacking curriculum to design engaging, meaningful activities and lessons for diverse classroom settings. Students will develop skills in differentiating instruction through inclusive teaching strategies and classroom management, enabling them to support progress across multiple grade levels and meet the needs of all learners.

This course will explore foundational concepts and theories central to effective instruction in K-6 social studies classrooms. This course aims to introduce students’ understanding of pedagogical approaches for presenting historical and contemporary principles, ideas, and knowledge within meaningful contexts, with a focus on culturally responsive teaching to better plan, prepare and teach students in an elementary social studies context. Students will engage in developing an understanding, respect, and appreciation for the histories, cultures, languages, contributions, perspectives, and contemporary experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

This course examines foundational concepts, practices, and skills relevant to science education. Pedagogical perspectives and knowledge of child development will broaden students’ understanding of the role of a teacher in fostering wonder and connecting science to children’s everyday lives. A focus will be placed on instructional approaches allowing for curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry while exploring curriculum. Students develop skills in designing, implementing, and assessing engaging learning experiences to gain confidence and preparedness for teaching science to diverse learners.

This course includes key theoretical topics and pedagogical applications for effective assessment practices. Students will gain skills in designing and implementing formative and summative assessment practices which relate to curricular outcomes and promote learning for students.

The primary objectives of this course are to facilitate the integration of various effective classroom assessment practices into pedagogical planning and instruction. This course aims to enhance the systematic collection and analysis of pertinent data that will inform instructional decision-making and evaluation, foster heightened student engagement, and ultimately elevate students' overall learning of the outcomes.

This course is designed to build foundational numeracy skills for K-6 learners, emphasizing the knowledge, skills, competencies, and dispositions required to apply mathematics in authentic situations. Students will deepen their understanding of the progressions of key concepts, the interconnected ideas of mathematics, and the sequencing of curriculum, while gaining confidence in both learning and teaching mathematics. Through hands-on experiences, research, reflection, and collaborative learning labs, participants will explore effective instructional strategies and develop the tools to engage and support all students in meaningful mathematical thinking and learning.

This course introduces the components necessary for effective literacy instruction in the elementary classroom. Course content will focus on the early literacy components (phonological awareness, oral language, concepts of print), as well as text forms, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing.   Pre-service teachers will examine research-based structures, teaching strategies, and pedagogies that are proven effective in the elementary classroom and will practice these strategies in learning labs.

This course focuses on the unique approaches of teaching and learning in secondary schools. Students will be introduced to major constructs of curricula, instructional strategy, and assessment related to secondary teaching. The course will also have a focus on contemporary issues in teaching in a secondary setting and approaches to engage adolescent youth in an equitable and inclusive manner.

Six-week field experience, placed with a mentor teacher in either an elementary or secondary setting depending on the student’s chosen pathway. The focus is on integrating knowledge and skills around formative assessment, classroom management, effective lesson planning and instructional strategies. Preparation for the field experience will include seminars to support and ready preservice teachers for the complexities of teaching in schools.

An introduction to the Engineering Faculty, the engineering profession, the skills required for academic success, and the fundamentals of leadership: study and life skills; time management and goal setting; interpersonal skills; career planning; engineering and society including elements of ethics, equity, concepts of sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and public safety.

Fundamentals of computer programming with emphasis on solving engineering problems. Structure and syntax of computer programs, variables, data types, data structures, control structures, functions, input/output operations, debugging, software development process.

Equilibrium of planar systems. Analysis of statically determinate trusses and frames. Friction. Centroids and centres of gravity. Forces and moments in beams. Second moments of area.

Fundamental design process and theory in a multidisciplinary context. Importance, in engineering design, of communications; teamwork; the engineering disciplines, career fields; professional responsibilities of the engineer including elements of ethics, equity, concepts of sustainable development and environmental stewardship, public and worker safety and health considerations including the context of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act.

This course provides an in-depth study of the structures of the human body and their interrelationships using a systems approach. The correlations between structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are noted. Major topics include body organization, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, endocrine, urinary and reproductive systems, the general and special senses, and human development. This course is designed to prepare students in medical fields of study for advanced courses in their respective disciplines.

A comprehensive exploration of both theoretical principles and practical applications crucial for delivering effective patient care. This course employs a hybrid approach, combining online learning modules with in-person instruction and patient engagement to provide students with a rounded understanding of medical theory, practical skills, assessment techniques, clinical presentations, and diagnostics pertinent to the management of ill and injured patients.

The course emphasizes active application of acquired theoretical knowledge through participation in skills, scenarios, and simulation environments. Through simulated patient care scenarios, and patient engagement students refine their ability to handle emergency calls efficiently, administer safe patient care, and navigate medical and trauma situations with assuredness.

Within this course is a 16-hour Patient Engagement which offers hands-on experience for Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) students, focusing on assessment, communication, and interpersonal skills essential for professional practice. Under the guidance of an assigned instructor/preceptor, students will practice and refine skills in a supervised environment. Throughout the patient engagement, students will uphold the standards of the profession and represent Northwestern Polytechnic with integrity. They will integrate the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice into their professional conduct, while incorporating communication, history-taking, assessment techniques, clinical presentations, and diagnostic findings.

This blended approach equips students with the skills, confidence, and expertise necessary to respond effectively to the complexities of emergency medical situations.

The student will apply new theory, incorporate practical skills, history, assessment, clinical presentation, and diagnostic findings of the ill or injured patient to determine a provisional diagnosis utilizing differential diagnoses and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Students will integrate all knowledge and skills to manage calls for the delivery of safe patient care and promote optimal outcomes. Integration of all these components is critical to address the multiple medical and traumatic conditions encountered in the field.
The student will demonstrate proficiency in the application of all competencies in a Skills, Scenario, and Simulation environment.

This course will introduce you to the physical, social, mental, occupational, emotional, environmental, and spiritual dimensions of personal health and wellness. These dimensions are described within the context of the Canadian Health Care System and your own individual community. Topics include primary health care, nutrition, exercise, stress management, weight management, eating disorders, common health issues and their prevention. You will be expected to integrate knowledge of the seven dimensions of health and apply this knowledge to a self-analysis of your own health and physical fitness. Finally, you will incorporate change management theory to develop, implement and evaluate a personal wellness plan.

The intent of this course is to promote a healthy lifestyle. By examining determinants of health, the current care system, the seven dimensions of health and applying these concepts to your own lifestyle, you will be better equipped to function as role models and act as change agents for health promotion in your community.

The Ambulance Placement Course is designed to provide the student opportunities to integrate knowledge and skills to provide care for diverse patients across the lifespan in an ambulance setting. Under the guidance of a preceptor, students apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to real emergency situations.

The overall outcome of the ambulance placement is for the student to meet all entry to practice PCP competencies.

Students are assigned to a Registered PCP or Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) for the duration of their placement and will only perform skills under direct and indirect supervision. While on placement, the student acts as a role model for the profession and ambassador for Northwestern Polytechnic, while integrating the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice into their professional practice.

The student will maintain the highest level of professionalism throughout the placement while integrating leadership, delegation, history, assessments, clinical presentations, and diagnostic findings into the development of a treatment plan based on a provisional diagnosis.

The Clinical Placement Course is designed to provide the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) student exposure to diverse patients across the lifespan to facilitate application of newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice in a health care facility Emergency Department.

The clinical placement provides the opportunity for the student to incorporate assessments, pharmacology, and skills in the treatment of patients of all ages. Students will act as a member of the multidisciplinary health team and develop an awareness of the roles and responsibilities of other health professionals while developing strategies to work effectively within a team setting.

Students are assigned to an RN or LPN for the duration of their placement and will perform skills under direct and indirect supervision. While on placement, the student acts as a role model for the profession and ambassador for Northwestern Polytechnic, while integrating the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice into their professional practice. The student will maintain the highest level of professionalism throughout the placement while integrating leadership, history, assessment, clinical presentations, and diagnostic findings into the treatment of the patient.

The student will apply new theory and incorporate practical skills, history, assessment, clinical presentation, and diagnostic findings of the ill or injured patient to determine a provisional diagnosis utilizing differential diagnoses and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Students will integrate all knowledge and skills to manage calls for the delivery of safe patient care and promote optimal outcomes. Integration of all these components is critical to address the multiple medical and traumatic conditions encountered in the field.

The student will demonstrate proficiency in the application of all competencies in a Skills, Scenario, and Simulation environment.