A Proposal for a Research Project on Professional Development for Early Childhood Professionals - Examining Pedagogy in Early Childhood
Awarded to: Stranmillis University College Key researchers: Dr. Glenda Walsh, Dr. Colette Gray, Sheelagh Carville, Karen Hanna and Dorothy McMillan
Introduction
The aim of this project is to enable early childhood educators/ teachers to build a deeper understanding of pedagogy by identifying the nature of pedagogy in early childhood settings and by implementing a development tool for practitioners to enhance the effectiveness of their own pedagogy.
Significant resources in Ireland are being devoted to the development of support materials for early childhood educators/ teachers engaged in the early education of children aged birth to six years. (eg Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education (CECDE) and the forthcoming National Framework for Early Learning (NCCA)).
In addition, national and international research has identified the importance of early childhood pedagogy in optimising outcomes for children. One of the implications of this research is that the most effective pedagogy for early learning is likely to be one that combines ‘whole class teaching’ with teacher-initiated/directed small group work (including play).
In light of current research, it is important that early childhood education practice in Ireland is examined to establish the nature of pedagogy and to establish the appropriateness of such pedagogy against good practice identified through research. One element of this research would entail an audit of the time that young children actually spend on centrally important early learning processes.
A combined qualitative/quantitative research project is proposed. An initial literature review, combined with dialogue and observation of practice will be followed by the design and implementation of a developmental tool and accompanying support mechanisms to assist early childhood educators/ teachers identify and enhance the effectiveness of their own pedagogy.
Project Aims
This project has a number of distinct aims.
First of all, national and international literature will be reviewed to identify the essence of effective pedagogy to be examined in the selected settings.
Secondly, it seeks (through dialogue and observation) to identify the nature and effectiveness of pedagogy in diverse early childhood education settings in Ireland, based on the findings of the literature review. These settings will involve three to six year old children in Infant classes in primary schools, Full day care settings, Sessional preschool settings and Childminding settings.
Subsequently, a model to support early childhood educators/ teachers to examine and enhance their own pedagogy will be developed.
Following implementation of professional development programmes in each of the identified settings, an evaluation will take place to review the effective aspects of the intervention.
Finally, exemplars and models of good practice will be developed and disseminated to inform the quality of pedagogical practices in the field of early childhood education.
Project Outcomes
It is anticipated that the project would impact positively on the quality of the pedagogy delivered by the early childhood educators/ teachers involved. It will also generate information regarding how re-examination and development of pedagogy might be undertaken at individual setting level. Specifically, the outcomes of the project will be:
To establish the nature of pedagogy in early childhood education in diverse settings in Ireland.
To identify the variables impacting on the nature of pedagogy.
To produce a model to support early childhood educators/ teachers to self examine their own pedagogy.
To develop a professional development programme and support strategies to positively enhance the effectiveness of pedagogy in early childhood education settings in Ireland.
To evaluate the professional development programme and make recommendations for future policy and practice developments.
To develop and disseminate exemplars and models of good practice to inform the quality of pedagogical practices in the field of early childhood education.
To produce a summary research report on the overall outcomes of the project.
Methodology
This research project will be informed by a review of national and international literature regarding pedagogy in early childhood education and by Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education.
The second phase of the research will involve the collation of data through survey, observation and consultative methods, across a diverse range of early childhood education settings. The sample should reflect the diversity that characterises the early childhood education sector in Ireland, with special attention being paid to geographical and socio-economic environs of the early childhood education setting, and the degree to which children with special educational needs are enrolled.
The research design will need to be standardized for each setting in order to produce a summary report.
Site last updated:
8 September, 2010
Centre for Early Childhood Development & Education
Gate Lodge, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Tel: 00353 (0)1 8842110 Fax: 00353 (0)1 8842111
Email: early.childhood@spd.dcu.ie
