Contemporary practice in professional learning and development of early childhood educators in Australia: reflections on what works and why

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fay Hadley ◽  
Manjula Waniganayake ◽  
Wendy Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
What Works ◽  
Contemporary Practice

“State standards and IEP goals. A lot of TPT products.” What Early Childhood Educators Report Using to Plan Mathematics Instruction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey Peltier ◽  
Tiffany K Peltier ◽  
Taylor Werthen ◽  
Andy Heuer
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Mathematics Instruction ◽  
State Standards ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exceptional Children ◽  
What Works ◽  
What Works Clearinghouse

Access to high-quality resources is integral for educators to provide research-aligned mathematics instruction. Identifying the supplemental resources educators use to plan mathematics instruction can inform the ways researchers and organizations disseminate research-based practices. The goal of this study was to identify the frequency in which early childhood educators (i.e., pre-Kindergarten through third grade) reported using various resources to plan for mathematics instruction. Furthermore, we investigated whether differences were observed based on teacher factors (i.e., general or special education, route to certification, years of experience) and locale (i.e., rural, urban, suburban). We retained data from 917 teachers for data analysis. The three most frequently reported resources by educators were colleagues, Teachers Pay Teachers, and Google/Yahoo. The three least frequently reported resources were the typical outlets researchers use to reach teachers: What Works Clearinghouse, Teaching Exceptional Children, and Teaching Children Mathematics. General and special education teachers differed on their self-reported usage of five resources: colleagues, Google/Yahoo, teaching blogs, Teaching Exceptional Children, and the What Works Clearinghouse. Rural educators self-reported that they were less likely than suburban educators to use colleagues or specialists at the district to plan instruction. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Exploring early childhood educators’ experiences of teaching young children with disability

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-291
Author(s):  
Leanne Munchan ◽  
Joseph Agbenyega
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Children With Disability ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
The Everyday

This paper argues that whilst inclusive education in early childhood is gaining wider acceptance in the equity and diversity movement, the value and contribution of educators’ voices about what is working and challenging are frequently ignored. This small-scale research explored five early childhood educators’ understandings and experiences of inclusive education in two kindergartens in Victoria, Australia. A thematic analysis of the data highlights inclusion as a right to belong and fully participate; the need for modifications to orchestrate a culture of acceptance, diversity and inclusion; a lack of support and inadequate professional learning; and supporting effective practice through relationship with families, experts and children. The findings draw implications of evidence-based professional learning that is less focused on the interests of academic researchers and policy makers and more on the everyday needs of early childhood educators.

scholarly journals Digitalisation in early childhood education: a domestication theoretical perspective on teachers’ experiences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofie Lindeman ◽  
Maria Svensson ◽  
Ann-Britt Enochsson
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Teachers Experiences ◽  
Research Questions

AbstractThe aim of this study is to increase knowledge of teachers’ understanding and experiences of using, or not using, digital tools in Early Childhood Education (ECE). The study takes a domestication theoretical approach based on interviews with twelve teachers from nine ECE institutions working with play-based learning with children aged 1–5 years from four different municipalities in Sweden. The study answers the following two research questions: In what ways, and to what extent, do teachers integrate digital tools in their work? What practical, symbolic or cognitive aspects affect their work with digital tools? The teachers have integrated the digital tools to different extent. The most useful tools for working with the children are tablets and beamers, which are devices that can be used in various ways. Digital tools used for administration are domesticated to a greater extent than the tools teachers use with the children. The study further shows that important factors in the successful domestication of digital tools in ECE include digital competence, including pedagogical aspects, in combination with personal drive and professional learning and development.

Supporting teachers’ practice through professional learning and development: What’s happening in New Zealand early childhood education?

2020 ◽  
pp. 183693912097906
Author(s):  
Linda Clarke ◽  
Tara McLaughlin ◽  
Karyn Aspden ◽  
Tracy Riley
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Quality Teachers ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Full Picture

Early childhood teachers’ professional learning and development (PLD) is a significant factor in the provision of quality early childhood education (ECE), yet gaining a full picture of PLD in the New Zealand ECE context is problematic. Information about government-funded PLD programmes is available through evaluations, however, teachers access PLD from a range of providers, many of whom are not government-funded, nor subject to regular monitoring for quality. Teachers’ reports, therefore, represent important sources of insight into PLD. We surveyed New Zealand early childhood teachers about their experiences of PLD, including topics, delivery, and facilitation. We analysed 345 responses. Workshops were the most commonly experienced PLD model. Many respondents had also experienced job-embedded support, but may not have experienced the types of facilitation strategies likely to prompt shifts in teaching practice. This article reports the survey results, examines implications and discusses features of PLD that support shifts in teaching practice.

scholarly journals Blogging In A Virtual Learning Community: How Does It Support Continuous Professional Learning For Ontario Registered Early Childhood Educators?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Sveda
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Virtual Learning Community ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
It Support

This research study examined the use of blogging as a medium for professional learning for registered early childhood educators (RECEs) in Ontario. Although educators are more frequently turning to blogs, social media, and virtual learning communities for their professional learning, there is a limited amount of previous research which has examined the use and efficacy of these mediums for that purpose. Using grounded theory, and guided by a social constructivist framework, I gathered data from blog posts and comments written by a small group of RECEs practicing in Ontario, and conducted interviews at two intervals to gather their perceptions of the blogging experience. While further study is needed to address potential barriers which may hinder RECEs from using blogging, I found that there were benefits in the use of blogging as a medium for reflection, building a professional community, and professional learning.

scholarly journals L’usage de l’anglais dans une école de langue française en milieu minoritaire : un véritable enjeu ?

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-87
Author(s):  
Callie Mady
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
French Language ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Language School

This article presents the results of a study whose goal was to support French language learners and their teachers, in kindergarten classes in a French language school in Ontario. Data were collected through classroom observations and interviews with the teachers and early childhood educators, who also participated in a professional learning community addressing the needs of French language learners. The participants revealed that language use was their biggest concern. The majority of these teachers and early childhood educators indicated that participation in the professional learning community influenced their use of English in class. The participants stated that they had increased consciousness and confidence in students’ ability to learn French without the use of English, which motivated them to progressively reduce their English use while encouraging students’ French use.

scholarly journals Blogging In A Virtual Learning Community: How Does It Support Continuous Professional Learning For Ontario Registered Early Childhood Educators?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Sveda
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Virtual Learning Community ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
It Support

This research study examined the use of blogging as a medium for professional learning for registered early childhood educators (RECEs) in Ontario. Although educators are more frequently turning to blogs, social media, and virtual learning communities for their professional learning, there is a limited amount of previous research which has examined the use and efficacy of these mediums for that purpose. Using grounded theory, and guided by a social constructivist framework, I gathered data from blog posts and comments written by a small group of RECEs practicing in Ontario, and conducted interviews at two intervals to gather their perceptions of the blogging experience. While further study is needed to address potential barriers which may hinder RECEs from using blogging, I found that there were benefits in the use of blogging as a medium for reflection, building a professional community, and professional learning.

scholarly journals Professional learning and development in early childhood education: A shifting landscape of policies and practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Sue Cherrington
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Education Literature ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Early Childhood Professional ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Childhood Professional

This article traces shifts in the New Zealand early childhood professional, regulatory and policy landscape, and examines how these shifts create challenges and opportunities for early childhood teachers’ engagement in professional learning and development (PLD). It presents current understandings about effective PLD for teachers in the early childhood and wider education literature before arguing that professional learning communities offer promising opportunities to support early childhood teachers’ engagement in effective PLD in a shifting policy and practice landscape.

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