Democracy and the identification and application of democratic practices using ICT is important t... more Democracy and the identification and application of democratic practices using ICT is important to declare and share. • Such democratic features further clarify ICT and its position in ECE and further legitimises its place. It adds to the defining of a pedagogy and practices that will inform, reassure and maximise purposeful uses of ICT by children and teachers. • These features of our teaching pedagogy and practices are powerful. • It is something that is enshrined in our curriculum . It enables us to define our identities as teachers, our children as learners and includes family/whaanau and community. It also affirms our contributions as a sector to a democratic and fair society. It is something we teach in the here and now with children, whatever their age
Working theories, and disposition are key learning outcomes of New Zealand’s early childhood curr... more Working theories, and disposition are key learning outcomes of New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki (Ministry of Education, 2017). In Te Whāriki working theories are described as “the evolving ideas and understandings that children develop as they use their existing knowledge to try to make sense of new experiences” (Ministry of Education, p.23). A number of projects have explored what this means in practice and the pedagogical approaches that help to explore, support and stretch children’s thinking. This presentation revisits the working theory lens to consider the surprising depth of young children’s ideas and ways to recognise and enhance creative and critical thinking
ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which includes young ch... more ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which includes young children; The role of ICT in early childhood educational services in Aotearoa New Zealand is still being argued despite policy expectations that endorse and support it’s integration into practice. This chapter draws upon a small, qualitative case study involving young children and their uses of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in one early childhood setting. We particularly focus on Jessica, aged 4 years old, whom is identified and examined by the ways she uses digital technologies in her life and how other people involved in lives might also use ICT as a means of initiating, facilitating and supporting learning. This includes her family and her early childhood setting. We define this as digital smartness. We use a socio-cultural perspective to recognise and examine this notion of children’s digital smartness. We examine ICT and learning in terms of the social and cultural co...
The thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the fo... more The thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person. Authors control the copyright of their thesis. You will recognise the author's right to be identified as the author of the thesis, and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate. You will obtain the author's permission before publishing any material from the thesis. Pedagogical tools in an online teacher education programme: A sense of belonging and social presence A thesis submitted partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
A part presentation of current research being undertaken for my PHd. This presentation was shared... more A part presentation of current research being undertaken for my PHd. This presentation was shared with colleagues in the Initial Teacher education team at Wintec to a delegation of visiting scholars and teachers from Chengdu University, China
Field-based initial teacher education (FBITE) is one of the delivery models of an accredited qual... more Field-based initial teacher education (FBITE) is one of the delivery models of an accredited qualification for early childhood education teachers that exists in Aotearoa New Zealand. Students undertaking FBITE are immersed in a vocation and as such become apprentices to their future careers as teachers during their three year full-time degree programme. Literature reports that this model is growing in popularity and provides significant opportunities for students who choose to undertake their initial teacher education qualification in this way. However, it is not without tensions and uncertainties for these student teachers. This study sought to understand the opportunities students were given while participating in FBITE and also any of the uncertainties faced by student teachers as they balance their academic and practice based responsibilities alongside memberships of their differing Communities of Practice. It also investigated factors that impact on student wellbeing as they...
ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which includes young ch... more ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which includes young children; The role of ICT in early childhood educational services in Aotearoa New Zealand is still being argued despite policy expectations that endorse and support it’s integration into practice. This chapter draws upon a small, qualitative case study involving young children and their uses of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in one early childhood setting. We particularly focus on Jessica, aged 4 years old, whom is identified and examined by the ways she uses digital technologies in her life and how other people involved in lives might also use ICT as a means of initiating, facilitating and supporting learning. This includes her family and her early childhood setting. We define this as digital smartness. We use a socio-cultural perspective to recognise and examine this notion of children’s digital smartness. We examine ICT and learning in terms of the social and cultural co...
ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people and this includes young... more ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people and this includes young children. This case study, to be called the research project hereafter, focuses on how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) might facilitate democratic child directed learning. This is defined by examining the ways children, and other people involved in their lives as learners, might use ICT as a tool for directing learning and what other features can support this. The research project is a case study involving one early childhood centre and draws upon data over a one year period. The data was collected using interviews with teachers at the centre, questionnaires from family whānau of children currently attending the centre and documentation of learning episodes of children that involved ICT. A qualitative methodology was used to capture experiences, attitudes and opinions of the participants and these were analysed by thematic analysis. The research project identifies the typ...
This research aims to investigate the journey of student teachers as they complete their program ... more This research aims to investigate the journey of student teachers as they complete their program of study and begin their careers in the teaching profession. There is little documented evidence of what, if any, impact an initial teacher education program can have on teachers as they move through the profession – from student to newly qualified teacher to fully certificated teacher. This project will explore this relationship and how graduates call on the knowledge acquired in their initial teacher education qualification to inform their practice as teachers. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand is currently undertaking a project examining Future Focussed Initial Teacher Education this project will complement this work as well as the Ministry of Education's Draft Strategic Plan for Early Learning. The aims of both of these pieces of work are to provide quality learning outcomes for all children and effective teaching strategies. This project will explore these aims and th...
International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education and Development, 2019
As the twenty-first century progresses, there is an ever-growing population of digital technology... more As the twenty-first century progresses, there is an ever-growing population of digital technology users. For many, this use begins in their early childhood years with opportunities to access and experience digital technologies in their home and wider world. These experiences are the foundations for children’s socially and culturally mediated digital funds of knowledge. Digital funds of knowledge can include dispositions, skills and experiences in the use of digital technologies in meaningful, valued and responsible ways that reflect a digital citizenship. For these digital funds of knowledge to be useful, others in the young child’s world need to be aware of and validate the children through a democratic lens. This includes seeing and treating the child as a valued and capable learner who is able, and should be entitled, to direct and participate with others in their learning encounters. In the context of early childhood education (ECE), it requires teachers and the learning environ...
This research aims to investigate the journey of student teachers as they complete their programm... more This research aims to investigate the journey of student teachers as they complete their programme of study and begin their careers in the teaching profession. There is little documented evidence of what, if any, impact an initial teacher education programme can have on teachers as they move through the profession – from student to newly qualified teacher to fully certificated teacher. This project will explore this relationship and how graduates call on the knowledge acquired in their initial teacher education qualification to inform their practice as teachers. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand is currently undertaking a project examining Future Focussed Initial Teacher Education this project will complement this work as well as the Ministry of Education's Draft Strategic Plan for Early Learning. The aims of both of these pieces of work are to provide quality learning outcomes for all children and effective teaching strategies. This project will explore these aims an...
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is acknowledged as being a significant part of man... more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is acknowledged as being a significant part of many people's lives, including young children. Educational research suggests that the very nature of ICT, with its ever growing range of equipment and programs and increasingly interactive features, requires relational and collaborative pedagogical practices to accompany it. This aligns with evaluations of ICT use in Aotearoa New Zealand Early Childhood Education, that identify the need for more thoughtful and purposeful ICT pedagogy. This paper draws on findings from a small case study which examined, through a democratic lens, the relationship between ICT and teaching and learning. It argues that notions of democracy can add to an effective Pedagogy of ICT in early childhood education.
This article examines a recent case study exploring evidence that children in early childhood ser... more This article examines a recent case study exploring evidence that children in early childhood services can use ICT to direct their own inquiry learning. A qualitative case study involving an interview and the learning story tool of assessment was conducted to describe the experience of one child and his teacher. They engaged in sustained shared thinking using ICT as a tool to facilitate inquiry in an early childhood setting. The findings indicate that children in early childhood settings can use ICT to direct their own inquiry learning. Two key factors are identified that enable this. These factors are the child as an active learner, and a supportive well resourced learning environment. In this article we argue that these factors need to be acknowledged in teaching practice if ICT is to be used in meaningful and purposeful ways.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing an ever increasing role in the lives of... more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which include young children; The role of ICT in early childhood educational services in Aotearoa New Zealand is still being argued despite curriculum, assessment and policy expectations that endorse and support its integration into practice. This chapter draws upon a small, qualitative case study involving young children and their uses of ICT in one early childhood education setting in Aotearoa New Zealand. A socio-cultural perspective has been used to recognise and examine the notion of children's understanding and practices of ICT. In this chapter the focus is on Jessica, aged 4 years old, and the ways she uses ICT in her life as tool to document and share her learning and interests. These uses also reflect Jessica as a competent and confident learner using ICT as a cultural tool to mediate her learning in her home and early childhood education setting. The researchers examine the way ICT practices can contribute and fulfil curriculum and policy intentions that can support and endorse the competent, confident learner that reflects the curriculum principle of Empowerment. The chapter supports the view that ICT can be used to enhance the empowerment of the learner. We conclude that the early childhood curriculum and policy in Aotearoa New Zealand justifies the place of ICT in early childhood settings and should guide and inform teachers to use it as a valued learning and teaching tool. The researchers are of the opinion that the teachers have an active and collaborative role in responding to the needs of the 21 st century learner to direct their own learning and that this can be guided by the curriculum aspirations in the principle of Empowerment.
Exploring the ethics of working with young children in a research study that examines children... more Exploring the ethics of working with young children in a research study that examines children's thinking and understandings of disability. This presentation draws upon the ethical considerations being undertaken as part of a current Phd study
Democracy and the identification and application of democratic practices using ICT is important t... more Democracy and the identification and application of democratic practices using ICT is important to declare and share. • Such democratic features further clarify ICT and its position in ECE and further legitimises its place. It adds to the defining of a pedagogy and practices that will inform, reassure and maximise purposeful uses of ICT by children and teachers. • These features of our teaching pedagogy and practices are powerful. • It is something that is enshrined in our curriculum . It enables us to define our identities as teachers, our children as learners and includes family/whaanau and community. It also affirms our contributions as a sector to a democratic and fair society. It is something we teach in the here and now with children, whatever their age
Working theories, and disposition are key learning outcomes of New Zealand’s early childhood curr... more Working theories, and disposition are key learning outcomes of New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki (Ministry of Education, 2017). In Te Whāriki working theories are described as “the evolving ideas and understandings that children develop as they use their existing knowledge to try to make sense of new experiences” (Ministry of Education, p.23). A number of projects have explored what this means in practice and the pedagogical approaches that help to explore, support and stretch children’s thinking. This presentation revisits the working theory lens to consider the surprising depth of young children’s ideas and ways to recognise and enhance creative and critical thinking
ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which includes young ch... more ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which includes young children; The role of ICT in early childhood educational services in Aotearoa New Zealand is still being argued despite policy expectations that endorse and support it’s integration into practice. This chapter draws upon a small, qualitative case study involving young children and their uses of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in one early childhood setting. We particularly focus on Jessica, aged 4 years old, whom is identified and examined by the ways she uses digital technologies in her life and how other people involved in lives might also use ICT as a means of initiating, facilitating and supporting learning. This includes her family and her early childhood setting. We define this as digital smartness. We use a socio-cultural perspective to recognise and examine this notion of children’s digital smartness. We examine ICT and learning in terms of the social and cultural co...
The thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the fo... more The thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person. Authors control the copyright of their thesis. You will recognise the author's right to be identified as the author of the thesis, and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate. You will obtain the author's permission before publishing any material from the thesis. Pedagogical tools in an online teacher education programme: A sense of belonging and social presence A thesis submitted partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
A part presentation of current research being undertaken for my PHd. This presentation was shared... more A part presentation of current research being undertaken for my PHd. This presentation was shared with colleagues in the Initial Teacher education team at Wintec to a delegation of visiting scholars and teachers from Chengdu University, China
Field-based initial teacher education (FBITE) is one of the delivery models of an accredited qual... more Field-based initial teacher education (FBITE) is one of the delivery models of an accredited qualification for early childhood education teachers that exists in Aotearoa New Zealand. Students undertaking FBITE are immersed in a vocation and as such become apprentices to their future careers as teachers during their three year full-time degree programme. Literature reports that this model is growing in popularity and provides significant opportunities for students who choose to undertake their initial teacher education qualification in this way. However, it is not without tensions and uncertainties for these student teachers. This study sought to understand the opportunities students were given while participating in FBITE and also any of the uncertainties faced by student teachers as they balance their academic and practice based responsibilities alongside memberships of their differing Communities of Practice. It also investigated factors that impact on student wellbeing as they...
ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which includes young ch... more ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which includes young children; The role of ICT in early childhood educational services in Aotearoa New Zealand is still being argued despite policy expectations that endorse and support it’s integration into practice. This chapter draws upon a small, qualitative case study involving young children and their uses of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in one early childhood setting. We particularly focus on Jessica, aged 4 years old, whom is identified and examined by the ways she uses digital technologies in her life and how other people involved in lives might also use ICT as a means of initiating, facilitating and supporting learning. This includes her family and her early childhood setting. We define this as digital smartness. We use a socio-cultural perspective to recognise and examine this notion of children’s digital smartness. We examine ICT and learning in terms of the social and cultural co...
ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people and this includes young... more ICT is regarded as playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people and this includes young children. This case study, to be called the research project hereafter, focuses on how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) might facilitate democratic child directed learning. This is defined by examining the ways children, and other people involved in their lives as learners, might use ICT as a tool for directing learning and what other features can support this. The research project is a case study involving one early childhood centre and draws upon data over a one year period. The data was collected using interviews with teachers at the centre, questionnaires from family whānau of children currently attending the centre and documentation of learning episodes of children that involved ICT. A qualitative methodology was used to capture experiences, attitudes and opinions of the participants and these were analysed by thematic analysis. The research project identifies the typ...
This research aims to investigate the journey of student teachers as they complete their program ... more This research aims to investigate the journey of student teachers as they complete their program of study and begin their careers in the teaching profession. There is little documented evidence of what, if any, impact an initial teacher education program can have on teachers as they move through the profession – from student to newly qualified teacher to fully certificated teacher. This project will explore this relationship and how graduates call on the knowledge acquired in their initial teacher education qualification to inform their practice as teachers. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand is currently undertaking a project examining Future Focussed Initial Teacher Education this project will complement this work as well as the Ministry of Education's Draft Strategic Plan for Early Learning. The aims of both of these pieces of work are to provide quality learning outcomes for all children and effective teaching strategies. This project will explore these aims and th...
International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education and Development, 2019
As the twenty-first century progresses, there is an ever-growing population of digital technology... more As the twenty-first century progresses, there is an ever-growing population of digital technology users. For many, this use begins in their early childhood years with opportunities to access and experience digital technologies in their home and wider world. These experiences are the foundations for children’s socially and culturally mediated digital funds of knowledge. Digital funds of knowledge can include dispositions, skills and experiences in the use of digital technologies in meaningful, valued and responsible ways that reflect a digital citizenship. For these digital funds of knowledge to be useful, others in the young child’s world need to be aware of and validate the children through a democratic lens. This includes seeing and treating the child as a valued and capable learner who is able, and should be entitled, to direct and participate with others in their learning encounters. In the context of early childhood education (ECE), it requires teachers and the learning environ...
This research aims to investigate the journey of student teachers as they complete their programm... more This research aims to investigate the journey of student teachers as they complete their programme of study and begin their careers in the teaching profession. There is little documented evidence of what, if any, impact an initial teacher education programme can have on teachers as they move through the profession – from student to newly qualified teacher to fully certificated teacher. This project will explore this relationship and how graduates call on the knowledge acquired in their initial teacher education qualification to inform their practice as teachers. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand is currently undertaking a project examining Future Focussed Initial Teacher Education this project will complement this work as well as the Ministry of Education's Draft Strategic Plan for Early Learning. The aims of both of these pieces of work are to provide quality learning outcomes for all children and effective teaching strategies. This project will explore these aims an...
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is acknowledged as being a significant part of man... more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is acknowledged as being a significant part of many people's lives, including young children. Educational research suggests that the very nature of ICT, with its ever growing range of equipment and programs and increasingly interactive features, requires relational and collaborative pedagogical practices to accompany it. This aligns with evaluations of ICT use in Aotearoa New Zealand Early Childhood Education, that identify the need for more thoughtful and purposeful ICT pedagogy. This paper draws on findings from a small case study which examined, through a democratic lens, the relationship between ICT and teaching and learning. It argues that notions of democracy can add to an effective Pedagogy of ICT in early childhood education.
This article examines a recent case study exploring evidence that children in early childhood ser... more This article examines a recent case study exploring evidence that children in early childhood services can use ICT to direct their own inquiry learning. A qualitative case study involving an interview and the learning story tool of assessment was conducted to describe the experience of one child and his teacher. They engaged in sustained shared thinking using ICT as a tool to facilitate inquiry in an early childhood setting. The findings indicate that children in early childhood settings can use ICT to direct their own inquiry learning. Two key factors are identified that enable this. These factors are the child as an active learner, and a supportive well resourced learning environment. In this article we argue that these factors need to be acknowledged in teaching practice if ICT is to be used in meaningful and purposeful ways.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing an ever increasing role in the lives of... more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is playing an ever increasing role in the lives of people which include young children; The role of ICT in early childhood educational services in Aotearoa New Zealand is still being argued despite curriculum, assessment and policy expectations that endorse and support its integration into practice. This chapter draws upon a small, qualitative case study involving young children and their uses of ICT in one early childhood education setting in Aotearoa New Zealand. A socio-cultural perspective has been used to recognise and examine the notion of children's understanding and practices of ICT. In this chapter the focus is on Jessica, aged 4 years old, and the ways she uses ICT in her life as tool to document and share her learning and interests. These uses also reflect Jessica as a competent and confident learner using ICT as a cultural tool to mediate her learning in her home and early childhood education setting. The researchers examine the way ICT practices can contribute and fulfil curriculum and policy intentions that can support and endorse the competent, confident learner that reflects the curriculum principle of Empowerment. The chapter supports the view that ICT can be used to enhance the empowerment of the learner. We conclude that the early childhood curriculum and policy in Aotearoa New Zealand justifies the place of ICT in early childhood settings and should guide and inform teachers to use it as a valued learning and teaching tool. The researchers are of the opinion that the teachers have an active and collaborative role in responding to the needs of the 21 st century learner to direct their own learning and that this can be guided by the curriculum aspirations in the principle of Empowerment.
Exploring the ethics of working with young children in a research study that examines children... more Exploring the ethics of working with young children in a research study that examines children's thinking and understandings of disability. This presentation draws upon the ethical considerations being undertaken as part of a current Phd study
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