Early Childhood Investment for Future Economic Growth and Industrial Development in Tanzania

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-53
Author(s):  
Ignasia Renatus Mligo
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Safe Environment ◽  
Phenomenological Design ◽  
Future Practice

Early childhood investment in young children 0-8 years is important. It offers a good start in life involving caring, nurturing, and safe environment to children who are the future hope of any society and nation. This chapter seeks to clarify the significance of investing quality early childhood education services for future industrial development and economic growth in Tanzania underpinned by economic growth perspectives. This chapter reports findings from an interpretive phenomenological design in three Teacher education and preschool settings in Tanzania with 10 tutors, 8 preschool teachers, and 8 parent participants. Data was generated using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary reviews. Findings indicated that parents and community from the areas studied lack knowledge of benefits of early investment in education. The study recommends the need for effective future practice directed at improving human development in early years in Tanzania. To achieve these aims, government policy planners need to locate favorable teaching and learning environments.

scholarly journals Implementing English-medium instruction

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-153
Author(s):  
Kari Sahan
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
State University ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Language Preference ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
University Department

Abstract As part of the trend toward internationalization of higher education, governments and universities have introduced policies to encourage the expansion of English-medium instruction (EMI). However, top-down policies do not necessarily translate to teaching and learning practices. This article provides a case study examining the implementation of undergraduate EMI engineering programs at a state university in Turkey to explore the gaps that exist between national- and institutional-level EMI policies and classroom-level practices. Data were collected through policy documents, classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with teachers, and focus group discussions with students. The findings suggest that the implementation of EMI varies across classrooms, even within the same university department. Despite policies that envision one-language-at-a-time instruction, the EMI lecturers in this study varied in terms of language preference and teaching practice in their EMI lectures. Implications are discussed with respect to policy planning, teacher training, and the expansion of EMI across university contexts.

scholarly journals Challenges Faced by Teachers in Teaching through Storytelling and Play-Way Method at Early childhood Education Level

2020 ◽  
Vol V (III) ◽  
pp. 152-165
Author(s):  
Misbah Malik ◽  
Fasiha Altaf ◽  
Mehwish Gull
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Resource Rooms ◽  
Grade One ◽  
Phenomenological Design

Teachers use several methods to teach children in Early childhood Education classes. Storytelling and play-way methods are employed to teach initial concepts in a conducive and stimulating learning environment. The purpose of this study was to identify the mindfulness, utilization, and challenges faced by ECE teachers while teaching through these methods. The phenomenological design was employed by using a qualitative research approach. The ten ECE schoolteachers were selected as participants, who were teaching to grade one student through the purposive sampling technique. Self-developed semi-structured interviews were carried out, and the data were transcribed into codes and themes. The research revealed that teachers were more aware of the storytelling method than the play way method. They were facing different challenges while using the storytelling and play-way method at the ECE level. It is recommended that resource rooms should be established for the provision of the best opportunities for training to ECE teachers.

scholarly journals Play in Grade R classrooms: Diverse teacher perceptions and practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley Aronstam ◽  
Martin Braund
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Teacher Perceptions ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cape Peninsula

The study explores the role of play in Grade R classrooms in the Cape Peninsula. The focus is on perceptions of teachers from differing backgrounds regarding how play is supported and utilised in the classroom. Theories of childhood play as propounded by Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky provide the theoretical background to our understanding of child play. Data were collected from 104 teachers in 41 primary schools and early childhood development (ECD) centres in both well-resourced and under-resourced environments, using semi-structured interviews and guided observations of practice. It was found that, although play is a difficult concept to define, it is easy to recognise. Teachers at some schools seem to have less knowledge of the pedagogy of play. Insights into early childhood teachers’ views on the role of play in the curriculum have the potential to inform the planning for teacher training and national policy development for early years’ learning. For these reasons, it is necessary to define and understand structured and formal play in the diverse contexts of South Africa, specifically by following, through the years, the teachers who utilise play as pedagogical tool.

scholarly journals Music-inspired free play to foster scientific exploration in early childhood

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mignon Van Vreden
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
North West ◽  
Scientific Exploration

Background: The importance of music and play in early childhood development is widely acknowledged. However, no recent studies have investigated the potential of music-inspired free play to foster scientific exploration. Aim: The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explain the rationale in utilising musical skills, knowledge and experiences during free play to foster scientific exploration, applying a constructivist approach with the learner placed at the centre of the educational process, while the teacher acts as observer and facilitator. Setting: Data were primarily collected through documents to create a concept map that informed observations of preschoolers during free play at two day-care centres in Mohadin in the North-West Province of South Africa. Methods: An explanatory case study provided the context for this study and a document analysis informed the findings. Results: Through data analysis, key themes were identified from the literature and observations to generate a conceptual model that illustrates the influence of music-inspired free play to foster scientific exploration by stimulating creativity and emphasising the necessity of free play in preschool settings. Conclusion: The conclusion of this investigation was a better understanding of the capacity of young learners to apply scientific exploration, utilising a transdisciplinary approach for teaching and learning the sciences in the early years to develop a better understanding of their world through music-inspired free play.

scholarly journals Novice Teachers’ Beliefs and Knowledge about Education for Sustainable Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 34-44
Author(s):  
Olena Zhukova ◽  
Ilona Fjodorova ◽  
Dzintra Iliško
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Novice Teachers ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Collection Methods

Incorporating education for sustainable development (ESD) into the curriculum is one of the main priorities of education policy in Latvia and internationally. Implementation of ESD relies greatly on individual teachers’ beliefs, enthusiasm, theoretical knowledge and practical expertise. It is widely recognized that teachers’ beliefs influence their decisions about the curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. While teachers’ beliefs and general pedagogical knowledge receive considerable attention in teacher education research worldwide, novice teachers’ beliefs and knowledge regarding sustainability and ESD are not widely discussed despite the widespread assumption that teacher’s preparedness and intention to teach ESD tend to be motivated by the beliefs and knowledge a teacher holds. Some education researchers argue that novice teachers tend to have limited understanding of sustainability and ESD. The aim of the research described in this article was to reveal the range of ways in which a sample of 32 volunteer novice teachers in Latvia perceive, understand and experience ESD, as well as how ESD relates to their professional practice. A phenomenographic approach is applied in this study. Data collection methods include semi-structured interviews, written questionnaires, and focus group discussions. The study revealed a range of ways in which novice teachers conceptualize sustainability and ESD. The insights from this research might serve to inform teaching and learning practices in the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching courses and to prepare teachers more adequately to implement ESD.

scholarly journals Exploring the Contribution of Teaching and Learning Processes in the Construction of Students’ Gender Identity in Early Year Classrooms

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-66
Author(s):  
Amina Baig
Keyword(s):  
Gender Identity ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Student Interaction ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Single Gender ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Single Sex ◽  
Teacher Student

The present study explores how gender identity construction takes place in a single gender classroom in early years. Qualitative research guided the study design which was conducted in two public sector single gender schools. The data were collected through observations of the teacher-student interaction, student-student interaction, focused group discussion, and semi-structured interviews. The study found that teaching and learning is gendered in single sex settings as gender messages are passed on to the students, who play an important role in the gender identity construction of these children. The study also indicated that the teachers’ personal experiences greatly affect their perceptions regarding gender identities. There was also evidence of teachers having different expectations for girls and boys. Schools were hence found promoting stereotypes regarding gender roles and responsibilities in a social context.

Transformational School principals: the missing piece of puzzle in ICT integration in teaching and learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-35
Author(s):  
Anne Wairimu Ndiritu ◽  
Willy Kimani Gichimu ◽  
Caroline Njoki Ndiritu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Ict Integration ◽  
Human Skills ◽  
Integration Of Ict

ICT is a critical tool for expanding human skills and rests largely on a system of producing, distributing and utilising information and knowledge that in turn plays a great role in driving productivity and economic prosperity. Kenya as a developing country realizes this importance and has a ministry specifically dealing with ICT. The vision statement of the ministry of information and Technology as stated in its strategic plan 2013-2018 is to make Kenya a globally competitive knowledge-based economy.  This vision aims at shifting the current industrial development path towards innovation where creation, adoption, adaptation and use of knowledge remain the key source of economic growth. Research has shown that countries which have invested a lot in their human capital are far ahead of others in development.  This development is likely to be an illusion unless Kenya is able to achieve its educational goals. Education and training has been isolated in the vision 2030 as the only mechanism that will translate Kenya into a middle-income economy. This is because education is fundamental to development of human resource capacities for sustainable economic growth and development. Through impartation of new skills and knowledge in people, education is able to improve human capabilities and labour productivity. It is in this regard that the Kenyan government has invested a lot of funds in ICT infrastructure including digitization of educational materials through Kenya Institute of curriculum Development. Kenya’s   vision  of  education  service  provision  is  to  have  a  globally  competitive  quality education,  training and research  for Kenya’s sustainable development. This study focused on the influence of secondary school  managers on integration of ICT in teaching and learning in Githunguri subcounty, Kiambu County in Kenya.  The study targeted 40 schools with a total population of 245 male teachers and 282 female teachers. teachers.  A researcher developed questionnaire was issued to all the  40 school managers and to 100 teachers for triangulation purposes. Data analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).The study sort to establish if there is a relationship between management support and ICT integration in teaching and learning.  Pearson correlation coefficient was used in the analysis. A positive correlation coefficient of 0.560 was obtained between the level of school management support and the use of ICT in teaching and learning. The findings indicated that school managers influenced integration of ICT in teaching and learning. The study therefore suggested that effort should be made by all stakeholders to ensure that school managers come up with policies on ICT integration in their schools which should be in line with the National ICT policy.  KEY word: ICT integration, Teaching and learning, school managers, transformational leadership, challenging the process, secondary schools                      

scholarly journals 'Invisible Obstacle' to Gender Equality: Gender Stereotype Messages in Early Childhood Education Books in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Juliet Njeri Muasya ◽  
Ruth Mugo Kahiga
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Gender Stereotype ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Learning Materials ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Documentary Analysis

Globally, research on gender stereotype messages or 'invisible obstacle' in the teaching and learning materials especially for primary and secondary schools is well documented. Findings from studies show illustrations, images, pictures and language that negatively portray males and females, boys and girls in learning materials and which tend to impact on students’ behaviours, aspirations, experiences, participation, achievement and expectations. The aim of the current study was to find out how gender messages are portrayed in 10 purposively selected Science and English language Early Childhood Education course, supplementary and workbooks using a documentary analysis checklist. Findings from the current study reveal that although authors of the analysed books have to some extent made the books gender responsive, however, gender stereotype messages expressed in masculine and feminine discourses are still visible. Two series of the books analysed are gender blind. Use of gender responsive books is likely to help children appreciate each other's gender, thus, create more equitable learning outcomes. Thus, it is important that any gender stereotype messages or information in learning and teaching materials are dealt with during early years of a child’s life.

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