Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Early childhood education Australia'
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1
Boyd, Glenda. "Early childhood teachers' perceptions of their leadership roles." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2001. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1077.
Full textAbstract:
Early childhood education has long been regarded as having the lowest status in the education system. Recent government reforms in Australia based on financial rather than education concerns means early childhood education will continue to face declines in status, conditions and appropriate resources, unless educators exercise leadership skills in advocating for appropriate programs and curriculum for young children. A new model of Early Childhood Teacher Leadership was created to measure leadership skills, including leadership in advocating for young children, and tested in Phase One of the study. The model involved General Leadership (Classroom Leadership, Self-directed Leadership, Program Leadership and School Leadership), Communication (from me to principal/parents /teachers and from principal /parents /teachers to me), and Influences (my influence on the school, my influence on the principal). In Phase Two of the study, twenty early childhood teachers were interviewed for approximately one hour in regard to how they conceptualised their leadership roles, what factors enhanced or constrained their leadership, and what strategies they used to communicate their philosophy and pedagogy. Phase One involved collecting data from 270 Early Childhood Teachers in Western Australia at government schools, using self-reports on ideal and real aspects of leadership obtained through a questionnaire. A Rasch measurement model computer program was used to create an interval level Scale of Early Childhood Teacher Leadership from the original 142 items (71 real and 71 ideal). The final interval-level scale consisted of 92 items (38 real and 54 ideal) that had a reasonable fit to the model, where the thresholds were ordered and the proportion of observed variance considered true was 94 percent. The Rasch analysis supported the structure of the leadership model and indicated some improvements could be made. Written responses to open-ended questions at the end of the questionnaire provided insights into how the teachers conceptualised their leadership roles. These insights provided the framework for the formulation of the face-to-face follow-up, interviews that comprised Phase Two of the study. The findings indicate that, as expected, teachers found it easier to hold higher ideal self-views for most aspects of leadership than to hold high real self-views. Teachers recognised the importance of leadership skills but experienced difficulty in enacting them. The Early Childhood Teachers reported various factors that helped or hindered them in fulfilling their leadership roles. The four global factors that could either help or hinder Early Childhood Teachers were 1) intrapersonal and interpersonal skills; 2) professional confidence; 3) others' understanding of and respect for early childhood education; and 4) time. The Early Childhood Teachers suggested strategies that could help them develop stronger leadership skills. The four main strategies suggested by the teachers were 1) professional development addressing leadership and interpersonal and intrapersonal skills training; 2) inclusion of leadership skills training at pre-service levels of teacher education; 3) opportunities to collaborate with othe1 staff; and 4) public promotion of early childhood education. The findings have implications for Early Childhood Teachers, administrators, teacher educators and for future research.
2
Sandefur, Sarah Jo. "Beyond "Sesame Street": Early literacy development in educational television programs from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/187434.
Full textAbstract:
This study addresses the potential of preschool educational television programs to contribute to the literacy development of young children. Unlike the vast majority of television-related research undertaken in the United States, this examination is not limited to nationally-produced programming, but looks to other English-speaking countries for an international perspective on the problems and possibilities of literacy series developed for young children. Ten preschool educational television programs from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States are examined via a videotape content analysis to determine the literacy potential of these program "texts." The literacy potential of children's broadcast texts has been determined within a broad framework of holistic language and learning theories developed by such researchers as Cambourne, Dewey, Eisner, Goodman, Harste, Holdaway, Rosenblatt, Smith, Vygotsky, and others. By composing a narrative of each sample episode; analyzing each program's use of visual, formic, and linguistic codes; constructing an argument for the applicability of holistic theories to television texts; and ultimately examining each sample episode through a holistic lens, a view of literacy-directed programming as it presently exists in four English-speaking countries is developed. The findings suggest that holistic learning principles applied to television texts hold great potential in providing valuable literacy-focused television events to children. Elements in the sample programs such as thematic integrity, explorations of ideas and concepts through sign systems, emphasis on child participation, language and ethnic diversity, regular inclusion of print on the screen from a variety of quality children's literature, and frequent inclusion of literacy events with children and adults demonstrated holistic principles in the sample episodes and contributed to the literacy potential of preschool programming. Characteristics of the episodes such as randomness, isolation of language subsystems from language wholes, failure to present literacy demonstrations, and exclusion of children from the visual text suggested ineffective television texts from which children had little opportunity to construct meaning. Concluding remarks explore the development of a prototypical holistic television program for preschoolers and suggest the benefits of such broadcast programs for children, their parents, media researchers/producers, and educators.
3
Turner, Elisabeth. "Factors in the development of early childhood distance education curriculum materials for language and literacy in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2001. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1079.
Full textAbstract:
Many factors influence the changing nature of education: family structures, cultural diversity, rapid technological change, social conditions. In response to these changes the Curriculum Framework for Western Australian schools has been developed to establish the learning outcomes expected of all students from K-12. Students in isolated and distance education settings are supplied curriculum materials designed to meet their diverse educational needs. This study presents one snapshot of an ongoing research project in which new language and literacy curriculum materials for early childhood distance education learners were developed, trialled and further developed. Some factors that appear to be important in the development of early childhood distance education curriculum materials for language and literacy in Western Australia were identified through the use of grounded theory and explored through the development of draft and final curriculum materials for K-3 students in distance education. These factors include; state government mandated Curricufrm1 Framework and Outcomes and Standards Framework, federal government initiatives, the impact of information and communication technologies, the needs of home tutors, the diversity of students enrolled in distance education and factors related to early childhood language an literacy needs identified through the literature review. The implications highlight the need to continue to seek feedback from all stakeholders, especially home tutors and the need for frequent reviews and rewriting of curriculum materials, taking into account current literature, technologies and pedagogical change.
4
Kilgallon, Pamela A. "Early childhood teachers' knowledge of children with disabilities and teaching children with disabilities." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2001. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1056.
Full textAbstract:
Trends to integrate students with disabilities into general education schools, rely on early childhood teachers utilising their knowledge and skills to provide successful induction into the education system, and fully including students with disabilities in the teaching program. This study describes early childhood teachers' knowledge of children with disabilities, and the teaching of these children, through teachers recounting their sources of knowledge and experiences in teaching children with disabilities. This study was conducted in the northern metropolitan teaching districts of Perth, Western Australia. Using both quantitative and qualitative methodology, 22 early childhood teachers completed a survey involving open-ended questions, followed by 5 teachers participating in taped in-depth interviews, disclosing their thoughts and lived experiences of teaching children with disabilities in general education settings. Data were analysed to identify shared teacher knowledge significant to the effective teaching and inclusion of children with disabilities. Findings indicated that early childhood teachers' knowledge of children with disabilities developed through the experience of teaching a child with disabilities and was relative to the particular children they had taught. Interview participants indicated that caring dispositions and knowledge of the individual, not the disability, was essential knowledge for teaching a child with disabilities. Being proactive and seeking support, as well as planning ahead, organizing time, adapting the learning environment and modifying existing teaching practices and expectations were considered to be critical elements of teaching a child with disabilities. Early childhood teachers also found that teaching a child with disabilities was a shared experience, where they were required to collaborate with various agencies and parents to ensure successful inclusion took place. The process of inclusion caused early childhood teachers to question their self-efficacy and the adequacy of their practical teaching knowledge. As one interview participant stated, "it's all a huge learning curve."
5
Kim, Soyoung. "A comparative study of early childhood curriculum documents focused on education for sustainability in South Korea and Australia." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2016. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/94087/1/Soyoung_Kim_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is about a comparative study of early childhood education (ECE) curriculum documents focused on education for sustainability (EfS) in South Korea and Australia. It examined how the national ECE curriculum documents in two culturally different contexts align with contemporary concepts of sustainability and activist early childhood education for sustainability (ECEfS) principles. Drawing on systems theory, Korean and Australian ECE curriculum documents were used as the primary sources for this study within the framework of critical document analysis (CDA). This study offers a step forward in developing culturally inclusive/holistic understandings of sustainability and more contextualised/localised approaches to ECEfS.
6
Loxton, Jane. "Early childhood HASS matters: An investigation of early childhood staff and their transition to the new Western Australian Humanities and Social Sciences Curriculum in 2017." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2018. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2134.
Full textAbstract:
Changes to education policies and the creation of new curricula in Western Australia (WA), such as the new WA Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Curriculum in 2017, may place external pressure on teachers as they transition from existing to new curricula. The aim of this interpretivist study was to investigate the transition to the new WA HASS Curriculum in 2017. The experiences and perspectives of the school leaders and teachers in Pre-primary, Year One and Year Two (PP to Y2) in two Perth metropolitan independent schools was explored. The preparation undertaken by the early childhood teachers and leaders, and the opportunities and challenges faced by the participants that facilitated or inhibited the transition to the new HASS Curriculum in 2017 was also studied. Three key themes that emerged from the results includes the need for; supportive and effective leadership, appropriate professional learning, time to understand the new content and to source suitable resources for teaching and assessing the new WA HASS Curriculum effectively.
7
Moore, Lisa. "Teachers' knowledge and practice of empowering young children in four early childhood settings in Australia and the United Kingdom." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1998. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/989.
Full textAbstract:
This study explores teacher's knowledge and practice of empowering young children as learners. Empowerment is a complex and multifaceted construct, and a recurring theme in early childhood literature. This study took place in four early childhood settings in Australia and the United Kingdom. The research was conducted using qualitative methodology, primarily with the use of video-taped observations and stimulated-recall teacher interviews. Findings indicate that the teachers enacted their knowledge and practice of empowerment. However, empowerment was interpreted differently by each teacher. The current study found links existed between teachers' knowledge and practice and their pedogogic orientation.
8
Matthews, Rebecca May. "What is an ‘educator’?: The impact of policy discourses on early childhood professionals." Master's thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2020. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/download/c05256f845a754ac98bf4f3ac6a6d26c53e8c81d51ebedb5c2d8d89829e50b88/1027388/Matthews_2020_What_is_an_educator_the_impact.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Background: This thesis investigates how policy-driven approaches to change in early childhood education in Australia are impacting on the field, and its dominant discourses, and on how professionals interpret the process of change. The thesis contributes to the investigation of the impacts of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) since its introduction in 2009. This is an important issue for early childhood education because understanding the ways in which educators see their role in the workplace has the potential to deepen our understanding of what it means to work in the early childhood field right now, as well as what it will mean for future practitioners entering the field.
Aim: The research question asked: How do Victorian early childhood degree-trained educators perceive the term ‘educator’, as used in Australian policy documents? The thesis identified a gap in the literature in relation to the naming of early childhood practitioners’ roles. Although there is a growing body of literature around the use of the EYLF in relation to how it applies to children and families, there is limited research regarding what practitioners think of the changes the EYLF has made, and what these changes mean for them.
Method: The thesis takes a poststructuralist perspective on the role of language and uses a sub-category of discourse analysis, Membership Category Analysis (MCA), to analyse the data. Six degree-qualified early childhood professionals were interviewed. Three were based in sessional kindergartens and three in a long day care setting. The interviews were conducted over 45 minutes, primarily over phone or webcam.
Results: The thesis demonstrates that the meaning of the term ‘educator’, to those experiencing it, is constantly changing and developing, so it is difficult to come to a clear, defined, single ‘truth’ of what it means to be an ‘educator’. Using MCA, the thesis argues firstly that there are two categories within the data: discursive resisters category (teacher) and discursive adapters category (educator). The two categories indicate that the field may well still be finding its way into what it means to be an ‘educator’. Secondly, this thesis argues that these categories do not exist in isolation. There are a range of issues outside of these categories that impact on the way practitioners understand their role in the field. The implications for policy development and future research include the need for greater understanding of how policy documents are embodied within the field. Further research could also be expanded into diploma- and Certificate III-qualified practitioners to provide greater topic saturation.
9
Irvine, Susan. "Parent conceptions of their role in early childhood education and care : a phenomenographic study from Queensland, Australia." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2005. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16165/1/Susan_Irvine_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Over past decades, the face of Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC)has changed substantially. It has been shaped by two dominant policy discourses: the discourse of market theory, and, more recently, the discourse of parent and community participation. The intertwining of these two seemingly opposing
discourses has led to the positioning of parents both as consumers of ECEC and as participants in ECEC. Each of these perspectives promotes a particular way of fulfilling the role of parent in ECEC. Reflecting general marketing principles, the primary role of parent as consumer is seen as selecting the right service for their child and family. In contrast, while arguably more ambiguous in meaning, the role of
parent as participant promotes a partnership approach, and, increasingly, parental
involvement in decision making at both service and public policy levels. Each of
these roles has been constructed for parents by governments and policymakers, with
little reference to the views and experiences of parents using ECEC.
Seeking to address this gap in the ECEC knowledge base, the present study investigated the qualitatively different ways in which parents constitute their role in Australian ECEC. The study focused on two related aspects of the role of parents: (1) the role of parents in using ECEC services; and (2) the role of parents in shaping ECEC public policy. To describe these roles, as viewed and experienced by parents, and to reveal possible variation therein, the study engaged a phenomenographic
research approach (Bowden & Walsh, 2000; Marton & Booth, 1997).
Twenty-six parents participated in the study. Data were gathered through semistructured
interviews with individual parents and subjected to a rigorous process of phenomenographic analysis. The study results are presented in two parts. With respect to the role of parents using ECEC, the study led to the construction of five
categories of description, denoting five distinctly different ways of seeing and
experiencing this role. The role of parents was seen as: (1) selecting and using the
best service for their child (the service user conception); (2) knowing what's happening for their child in the service (the informed user conception); (3) paying for a service, and, thereby, enacting certain consumer rights (the consumer conception); (4) supporting their selected service and having some say in what happens for their child at the service (the partnership conception); and (5) working as a member of the service community for the benefit of all concerned, which includes participating in
decision making (the member of a service community conception). Taking a broader
perspective, the study again revealed variation in how parents constituted their role in
shaping ECEC policy, leading to the construction of four categories of description.
The role of parents was seen as: (1) no role in shaping ECEC public policy (the no
role conception); (2) being informed about policy that affects their child and family,
raising any concerns and/or seeking a change to current or proposed policy (the
raising concerns conception); (3) having some say in policy matters that affect their
child and family (the having some say conception); and (4) participating in policy
decision making, particularly where this is likely to affect their child and family (the
participating in policy decision making conception).
The study highlights variation in how these roles are constituted by parents, inclusive
of the basic concepts of parent as consumer and parent as participant. In addition, the
study offers an insider perspective on these two "dominant common-sense understandings" (Vincent & Martin, 2000, p. 2) of the role of parents, prompting questions about their future in ECEC policy. As an example of "developmental
phenomenography" (Bowden, 2000b, p. 3), the study also identifies factors perceived
by parents as influencing their participation at various levels, and discusses implications for both policy and practice. Finally, the study extends the general phenomenographic area of interest, from education to public policy research. Within this area, phenomenography is seen to offer a useful and pragmatic research tool, facilitating the identification and consideration of different constituent views and
experiences, and, thereby, signifying more possible options for action.
10
Irvine, Susan. "Parent Conceptions of Their Role in Early Childhood Education and Care: A Phenomenographic Study from Queensland, Australia." Queensland University of Technology, 2005. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16165/.
Full textAbstract:
Over past decades, the face of Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC)has changed substantially. It has been shaped by two dominant policy discourses: the discourse of market theory, and, more recently, the discourse of parent and community participation. The intertwining of these two seemingly opposing discourses has led to the positioning of parents both as consumers of ECEC and as participants in ECEC. Each of these perspectives promotes a particular way of fulfilling the role of parent in ECEC. Reflecting general marketing principles, the primary role of parent as consumer is seen as selecting the right service for their child and family. In contrast, while arguably more ambiguous in meaning, the role of parent as participant promotes a partnership approach, and, increasingly, parental involvement in decision making at both service and public policy levels. Each of these roles has been constructed for parents by governments and policymakers, with little reference to the views and experiences of parents using ECEC. Seeking to address this gap in the ECEC knowledge base, the present study investigated the qualitatively different ways in which parents constitute their role in Australian ECEC. The study focused on two related aspects of the role of parents: (1) the role of parents in using ECEC services; and (2) the role of parents in shaping ECEC public policy. To describe these roles, as viewed and experienced by parents, and to reveal possible variation therein, the study engaged a phenomenographic research approach (Bowden & Walsh, 2000; Marton & Booth, 1997). Twenty-six parents participated in the study. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews with individual parents and subjected to a rigorous process of phenomenographic analysis. The study results are presented in two parts. With respect to the role of parents using ECEC, the study led to the construction of five categories of description, denoting five distinctly different ways of seeing and experiencing this role. The role of parents was seen as: (1) selecting and using the best service for their child (the service user conception); (2) knowing what's happening for their child in the service (the informed user conception); (3) paying for a service, and, thereby, enacting certain consumer rights (the consumer conception); (4) supporting their selected service and having some say in what happens for their child at the service (the partnership conception); and (5) working as a member of the service community for the benefit of all concerned, which includes participating in decision making (the member of a service community conception). Taking a broader perspective, the study again revealed variation in how parents constituted their role in shaping ECEC policy, leading to the construction of four categories of description. The role of parents was seen as: (1) no role in shaping ECEC public policy (the no role conception); (2) being informed about policy that affects their child and family, raising any concerns and/or seeking a change to current or proposed policy (the raising concerns conception); (3) having some say in policy matters that affect their child and family (the having some say conception); and (4) participating in policy decision making, particularly where this is likely to affect their child and family (the participating in policy decision making conception). The study highlights variation in how these roles are constituted by parents, inclusive of the basic concepts of parent as consumer and parent as participant. In addition, the study offers an insider perspective on these two "dominant common-sense understandings" (Vincent & Martin, 2000, p. 2) of the role of parents, prompting questions about their future in ECEC policy. As an example of "developmental phenomenography" (Bowden, 2000b, p. 3), the study also identifies factors perceived by parents as influencing their participation at various levels, and discusses implications for both policy and practice. Finally, the study extends the general phenomenographic area of interest, from education to public policy research. Within this area, phenomenography is seen to offer a useful and pragmatic research tool, facilitating the identification and consideration of different constituent views and experiences, and, thereby, signifying more possible options for action.
11
McKinlay, Sharon. "Building a sustainable workforce in early childhood education and care: What keeps Australian early childhood teachers working in long day care?" Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2016. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/98507/4/Sharon_McKinlay_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The case study research of five early childhood teachers drew upon the theoretical framework of social constructivism to investigate what keeps early childhood teachers working in long day care. Examining the ecology of long day care in light of the national reform agenda for Early Childhood Education and Care, the research identified the individual and contextual factors that enabled and challenged the teachers’ work in long day care. The study contributes empirically-based insights and offers practical strategies to support the recruitment and retention of early childhood teachers in long day care.
12
Bodger, Caryn-Lee. "The Role of Educational Leader: The Practices and Perceptions of Educational Leaders in Four Early Childhood Education and Care Settings in Western Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/79425.
Full textAbstract:
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority describes the Educational Leader as influential, extending the pedagogy of educators (ACECQA, 2019). However the lack of specific guidelines for the Educational Leader position has resulted in uncertainty. The qualitative research study explores the practices and perceptions of four Western Australian Educational Leaders. The research findings are significant to the early childhood education and care sector by promoting dialogue about how the Educational Leaders themselves are interpreting their role.
13
au, Zsuzsanna Millei@newcastle edu, and Zsuzsa Millei. "A genealogical study of the child as the subject of pre-compulsory education in Western Australia." Murdoch University, 2007. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20081002.80627.
Full textAbstract:
The study produces a genealogy of the child as the shifting subject constituted by the confluence of discourses that are utilized by, and surround, Western Australian precompulsory education. The analysis is approached as a genealogy of governmentality building on the work of Foucault and Rose, which enables the consideration of the research question that guides this study: How has the child come to be constituted as a subject of regimes of practices of pre-compulsory education in Western Australia?
This study does not explore how the historical discourses changed in relation to the child as a universal subject of early education, but it examines the multiple ways the child was constituted by these discourses as the subject at which government is to be aimed, and whose characteristics government must harness and instrumentalize. Besides addressing the research question, the study also develops a set of intertwining arguments. In these the author contends that the child is invented through historically contingent ideas about the individual and that the way in which the child is constituted in pre-compulsory education shifts in concert with the changing problematizations about the government of the population and individuals. Further, the study demonstrates the necessity to understand the provision of pre-compulsory education as a political practice.
Looking at pre-compulsory education as a political practice de-stabilizes the takenfor-granted constitutions of the child embedded in present theories, practices and research with children in the field of early childhood education. It also enables the de- and reconstruction of the notions of childrens participation, empowerment and citizenship. The continuous de- and reconstruction of these notions and the destabilization of the constitutions of the child creates a framework in which improvement is possible, rather than a utopian, wholesale and, thus revolutionary, transformation in early education (Branson & Miller, 1991, p. 187). This study also contributes to the critiques of classroom discipline approaches by reconceptualizing them as technologies of government in order to reveal the power relations they silently wield.
14
Ogonda, Agnes Akinyi. "Shades of giftedness : an ethnographic case study in the identification of giftedness in ethnic minority children within the early childhood context." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1994.
Find full textAbstract:
This study addresses the issue of identification of gifted ethnic minority children within the context of an Australian preschool. Case study method is used to describe
the characteristics of three children, their parents, teachers and the pre-school environment. The children, from India, Iran and Vietnam, had all arrived in Australia within the last twelve months. Use of existing checklists, participant observation in the home and pre-school setting, unstructured interviews with parents and teachers, and collection of children's work were the main methods of data
collection.
Through the analytic process culture-specific behaviours have been identified. These descriptions have been used to develop a behavioral characteristics checklist which can be used by teachers as a framework during identification of
gifted ethnic minority children. This forms part of a portfolio of assessment compiled using the study findings.
Teacher awareness of giftedness, educational responses,
theories and definitions of intelligence were also addressed through a workshop conducted as part of the study.
The study reports on the effect of culture on manifestation of gifted behaviour, motivation, socioeconomic issues, teacher attitude and parent-teacher co-operation
in the gifted ethnic minority child's learning outcomes.
Suggestions for furtherresearch are also included.
15
Humffray, Jennifer Jane, and n/a. "Early childhood science education : the study of young children's understanding of forces." University of Canberra. Teacher Education, 2000. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060731.131000.
Full textAbstract:
This study sought to investigate young children's understandings of the
science concept forces. A government preschool in the A.C.T. was the
setting for the study.
The research methodology consisted of pre and post interviews
conducted before and after a teaching sequence using an interactive
approach to teaching science (Biddulph and Osbome 1984). Interviews
were audio taped, work samples were kept and lessons and discussions
were audio taped during the teaching sequence.
This study examined three factors associated with young children's
understandings of the science concept forces. First, it documented
young children's understandings prior to any formal teaching in this
area. It was found that most children did hold views about the areas of
forces such as pushes and pulls, inertia, friction and gravity. Some of
these views are generally recognised by the scientific community as
being scientifically correct answers.
Second, this study sought to reveal if these prior views were changed
or reached a higher conceptual level after the experience of a three
week interactive teaching sequence on forces. It was found that in all
cases changes in language indicating higher level understandings, the
use of scientific terms and more detailed responses indicated that it
was possible and relevant at the early childhood level to teach the
concepts of forces.
A third aspect of this study sought to identify teaching strategies which
would effectively teach forces to very young children.
It became clear in this study that as young children already have views
about the concepts of forces it is possible to build on these views with
correct scientific knowledge and thus empower the young child in an
area of science which research has indicated may cause problems for
older learners.
It is therefore proposed that early childhood is a crucial time for
teaching correct science concepts in the area of forces.
This thesis has shown that young children, particularly those 4-5 years old, have
already formed views of forces, some scientifically correct and it is proposed that
building on this existing knowledge will empower the child in later learning in the
areas of physics and mechanics.
16
Bussey, Katherine Anne. "The work of infant and toddler specialists in university-based early childhood teacher education in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand." Thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2017. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/download/9c6600fef5294bc45120637fd8a95c5cce4a6d88ad78d3ff9cac4f3734b5be02/4468354/Katherine_Bussey_PhD_Thesis_FINAL.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Infants and toddlers are the fastest-growing group of children enrolled in early childhood education around the world. This thesis describes the work of infant and toddler specialist teacher educators in university-based early childhood teacher education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. This thesis explores issues related to status, professionalisation, and the education of teachers, who work with infants and toddlers, and reflects the growing awareness of the importance of infant and toddler curriculum in teacher education programs. Conceptually the study is positioned within Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). Findings showed that the participants in the study were involved in a series of enduring contradictions that continually frustrated the expansion of their object of activity as a collective subject, and in turn, their outcome in their activity system. Their object of activity in this activity system was to increase prominence, credibility, and acknowledgment of the needs of infant and toddler curriculum and pedagogy in early childhood teacher education, the aim being to gain their outcome, of high-quality care for infants and toddlers in extra-familial care and education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Long-standing sociohistorical contradictions in the early childhood field impacted on their work. It argues these teacher educators engage in multiple forms of advocacy, in an effort to increase the recognition of the needs of infants and toddlers and to lift the status of educators who work with them. It contributes new knowledge about our understanding of the work of teacher education, and its own issues of status and de-professionalisation.
17
Trethewey, Lynne. "A history of age grading in South Australian primary schools, 1875-1990 /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1997. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09pht817.pdf.
Full text
18
Bussey, Katherine Anne. "The Work of Infant and Toddler Specialists in University-based Early Childhood Teacher Education in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand." Thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2018. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/download/ac272dfa6f13781e2fee58f1dbb4ed54395a3ccd7c60b2f112c2fea0658d6d54/7890212/BONE_2017_THESIS.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This doctoral thesis is a qualitative case study of the work of six university-based infant and toddler teacher educators in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Research literature is presented to locate the study within early childhood teacher education as a cultural phenomenon in its institutionalised form. This thesis explores issues related to status, professionalisation, and the education of teachers, who work with infants and toddlers, and reflects the growing awareness of the importance of infant and toddler curriculum in teacher education programs. Conceptually the study is positioned within Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). This conceptual framework was chosen in order to explore the motive object of activity of the collective subject of teacher educators within early childhood teacher education. It is also acknowledged, and addressed within the thesis, that issues that are specific to the early childhood field of status and professionalisation are situated within a broader context of how relations operate between workers and employers under capital. However, in this thesis, I have used CHAT primarily as an analytic device. Each of the six participants was interviewed individually; focus conversations were also held in the two countries. Extracts from individual interviews in the other country were used as provocations in each of the focus conversations. Qualitative data analysis followed a process of iterative analysis of codes and categories. Deductive coding using CHAT concepts followed inductive analysis of further categories.
Through exploring the story of the work of infant and toddler teacher educators in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand it became apparent that this thesis is a continuing story of struggle, resistance and advocacy in their work (Rockel, 2013).
Findings showed that the participants in the study were involved in a series of enduring contradictions that continually frustrated the expansion of their object of activity as a collective subject, and in turn, their outcome in their activity system. Their object of activity in this activity system was to increase prominence, credibility, and acknowledgment of the needs of infant and toddler curriculum and pedagogy in early childhood teacher education, the aim being to gain their outcome, of high-quality care for infants and toddlers in extra-familial care and education in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The findings demonstrated that the long-standing sociohistorical contradictions that the participants experienced through the early childhood field impacted on their work.
There are enduring and sedimented contradictions in the early childhood field related to an ambivalence of the presence of infants and toddlers in non-parental care and education. At the same time, as academics, they were also negotiating struggles against deprofessionalisation in teacher education. These issues eventuated post-merger of teacher education institutions from colleges of education into universities. Expectations for teacher educators changed; research outputs were required to increase without provision of any additional support.
The findings established that the participants struggled to give greater prominence to infant and toddler curriculum and pedagogy in early childhood teacher education in their work in universities in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand. This struggle took various forms and is evidenced by the continual silencing experienced by the participants when they engaged in advocating for greater credibility of infant and toddler curriculum and pedagogy in early childhood teacher education.
A contribution of this thesis is that it clarifies the conditions of infant and toddler curriculum and pedagogy content in early childhood teacher education in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand. It argues that infant and toddler curriculum and pedagogy knowledge is crucial specialist knowledge essential to early childhood teacher education programs inclusive of children from birth to five years of age, offered in universities.
A second contribution is the evidence presented to support the argument that advocacy is the way in which the participants in the study held their work together. Advocacy was a key concept within the nature of their work as infant and toddler specialists in early childhood teacher education. It is recognised that historically advocacy has been fundamental to the struggle of working against the ambivalence towards infants and toddlers in the early childhood field. Therefore, what this thesis identifies is that little has changed; advocacy continues to be the primary focus of the work of infant and toddler teacher educators as they resist the ongoing ambivalence towards infants and toddlers in the early childhood field.
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Clarke, Jennifer E. "Sustainable pedagogical leadership in early childhood education and care: Implementing the 2012 Australian national quality standard." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2017. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/114123/1/Jennifer_Clarke_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This historical case study combined two quality areas in early childhood education and care (ECEC), sustainability and pedagogical leadership, introducing the new term Sustainable Pedagogical Leadership in ECEC (SPLE). SPLE includes principles embedded in sustainability and Education for Sustainability (EfS) combined with contemporary approaches to pedagogical leadership unique to ECEC settings. This represents an innovation in the way that pedagogical leadership can be framed in ECEC. Key characteristics of SPLE identified were providing clear vision, mentoring, professional learning, critical reflection and distributed leadership opportunities. SPLE led to an exceptional organisational culture. Enculturated practices were observed in EfS as a result.
20
Liu, Liwei. "A comparative study in China and Australia of parental engagement in transition to school." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2018. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/122415/1/Liwei_Liu_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This is a comparative study conducted in both China and Australia examining parental engagement in transition to school; investigating parents' perceptions and engagement, and influencing factors. A mixed methods approach was applied to collecting and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data in Beijing, China and Queensland, Australia. The results show that Chinese and Australian parents engaged differently in transition practices. Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory and PPCT model, was used to frame how Chinese and Australian parents' transition engagement is influenced by Person factors (children's characteristics, parents' role construction, self-efficacy, time and energy, and school and transition experiences), and Context factors (kindergarten, school, and teacher influence, social influence, policy influence, and societal and cultural influence). This study further contributes to the international education context by comparing parental engagement under globalization.
21
Mohamed, Zaki Filzah Zahilah. "ICT and internet usage in early childhood education : a comparative study of Australian and Malaysian teachers' beliefs and current practices." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2013. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/63895/1/Filzah%20Zahilah_Mohamed%20Zaki_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The thesis is a comparative study of ICTs and Internet use of Australian and Malaysian early childhood teachers in terms of their personal and professional comfort with ICTs, pedagogical beliefs, and their reported classroom practice. The study discovered teachers from both countries as relatively comfortable with digital technologies and the Internet, with most teachers held positive beliefs about ICT usage. The structural barriers in classrooms include lack of Internet access and the wide gap that exists between teachers’ positive beliefs and classroom practice. The study suggests the need for strategic and targeted professional development for teachers.
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Meehan, Catherine Jane, and res cand@acu edu au. "Thinking and Acting: an exploration of Australian early childhood teachers’ beliefs and practice regarding learning, teaching and religious education." Australian Catholic University. School of Education, 2007. http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/digitaltheses/public/adt-acuvp161.10062008.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this research was to explore the beliefs and practice of early childhood teachers in Catholic schools in Australia. In particular, the research investigated the teachers’ beliefs about teaching, learning and Religious Education. Also examined in this thesis was the classroom practice of early childhood teachers and the factors that impacted on their stated beliefs and translation into classroom practice. Whilst there are empirical studies that explore early childhood teachers’ beliefs and practice, there were no studies which explore early childhood teachers’ beliefs and practice with regard to learning, teaching and Religious Education in Australia. This study was conducted within both positivist and interpretivist paradigms, using a mixed methodological approach to data collection. Phase One was a large scale (n=540) use of a questionaire to ascertain teachers' beliefs. The Early Childhood Teachers' beliefs about learning, teaching and Religious Education questionaire was developed specifically for this study. Early childhood teachers from 6 states of Australian Catholic schools were surveyed using the Early Childhood Beliefs about Learning, Teaching and Religious Education Questionnaire. Following the quantitative analysis, four teachers were purposefully selected to develop rich, descriptive case studies. Classroom practice was observed and documented providing further insights into beliefs and practices with regard to Early Childhood and Religious Education. Analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data was conducted using three computer software packages including: SPSS, Leximancer and NVIVO. The analysis of data revealed both differences and similarities that exist between teachers’ stated beliefs and classroom practice and in particular their pedagogy with regard to Religious Education Key findings of the research included a confirmation that early childhood teachers’ in Catholic schools generally taught in accordance with their beliefs. It was highlighted specifically that a range of factors impact on teachers’ practice, which both support and constrain their practice. Some of the implications for teachers, teacher educators, providers of professional development are delineated. There is evidence presented in the results that supports the hypothesis that teachers' beliefs do underpin their classroom practice and that there are factors that constrain or support teachers' in their efforts to teach according to their beliefs about learning and teaching. The study highlighted implications for Religious Education in the early years of schooling, for the continued professional development and curriculum development for Religious Education in the early years of schooling. In summary, this thesis examined the role of Early Childhood teachers’ beliefs about learning, teaching and Religious Education and the relationship to classroom practice. It critically explored the impact that a range of factors have on teachers’ ability to implement practice that was consistent with their stated beliefs
23
Mcguire, Julianne. "Exploring barriers and enablers in early childhood education and care services to meet Australian infant feeding guidelines." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2020. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/201105/1/Julianne_McGuire_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis studies infant and young child feeding in Early Childhood Education and Care services in Australia, an environment of increasing importance to the child population. It examines policies and practices highlighting the need for visibility, support and collaboration in infant feeding in the first 1000 days to support ongoing health and development. It uniquely gives voice to experience of assessors as well as educators and families in eliciting strategies for increasing awareness and support for optimal infant and young child feeding practices in Early Childhood Education and Care.
24
Stamopoulos, Elizabeth. "The Professional Background And Perceptions Of Principals On Their Leadership Role In Preprimary." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1995. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1459.
Full textAbstract:
The incorporation of pre-primary centres into Western Australian government primary schools has shifted the responsibility for administrative, managerial and educational leadership from the kindergarten director to the primary school principal. Several pre-primary teachers and specialists in Early Childhood Education have expressed concern that principals lack theoretical and practical background in early childhood, have not been provided with professional development assistance, are providing inadequate educational leadership to pre-primary teachers, and yet a responsible for appraisal of pre-primary teachers. Similar concerns have been expressed in the United States, and resulted in the swing towards early academics and acknowledgment of the significant differences between early childhood education and primary education. However, no study of these leadership issues has so far been conducted in Western Australia.
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Wilson-Ali, Nadia. "An unfamiliar face, an unfamiliar environment: Investigating educators’ understanding of their attachment relationships with infants and toddlers in Early Childhood Education and Care settings." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2018. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2135.
Full textAbstract:
Attachment theory has influenced research, policy and practice over the last six decades, offering a framework for understanding risk and protective factors in early childhood. However, this work has primarily been influenced from a medical health or psychological perspective. Despite the literature highlighting the importance of attachment relationships, there is limited research relating to educators’ knowledge and understanding of attachment theory. The first years of life are considered a sensitive period for attachment development, and with families increasingly utilising formal care for their infants and toddlers, educators are in a prime position to use attachment theory to inform their practices within education and care (ECEC) settings. The aims of this study were to investigate educators’ knowledge and understanding of attachment theory and the practices they use to support the development of secure infant/toddler–caregiver relationships.
Drawing upon an interpretive theoretical framework, this study focused on understanding attachment theory and practice from multiple perspectives through the voices of early childhood educators. Using multiple methodologies such as a mixed method design enhances an interpretive framework. Data was collected via an online survey through a closed Facebook page as well as personal contacts of the researcher, email and snowballing. From this survey, 488 Australian educators responded demonstrating a wide interest in the topic of attachment. One early childhood service was selected to participate in semi-structured interviews. Observations of their attachment practices were documented using the Reflect, Respect, Relate tool. Quantitative data was analysed using Qualtrics software with Nvivo used for qualitative data to code key concepts and emerging themes. A national survey provided a general picture of educator perceptions and practices whilst the observations and interviews supported a deeper exploration into themes emerging from the survey.
Findings highlighted educators’ desire to access further support to understand how to interpret the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and associated documents in relation to attachment theory. The EYLF proposes that children feel “safe, secure and supported” when they develop attachment relationships with educators (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR], 2009, p. 21). However, little guidance is provided within the framework or accompanying resources about how educators should approach this relationship development. Educators who participated in the study drew upon multiple approaches to support the development of attachment relationships. Their approach varied according to knowledge, understanding and personal experiences of participating in attachment relationships. Additionally, findings indicated that educators require support and access to sufficient knowledge and ongoing professional development relating to attachment theory that is specifically targeted toward ECEC settings. This study is unique in that it investigated the challenges of attachment theory from an educator’s perspective rather than a psychological lens. This research hopes to build upon the existing knowledge of educators and highlight the importance of attachment theory to inform strategic direction and policy development.
26
Kim, Soyoung. "A comparative case study of Korean and Australian early childhood education for sustainability: Exploring teachers’ practices, beliefs, and assumptions through a cultural lens." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2022. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231545/1/Soyoung_Kim_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis investigated Korean and Australian teachers’ pedagogical practices and beliefs related to early childhood education for sustainability (ECEfS) and their assumptions about human-nature relationships. This comparative case study identified that the teachers’ practices, pedagogical beliefs, and assumptions differed, aligning with predominant cultural characteristics of the two countries. Although teachers in different contexts may draw on similar ECEfS pedagogies and learning theories, understandings and interpretations can vary across cultures, and ECEfS practices can be reproduced by these cultural contexts. This research endorses the need for cultural consideration in understanding teachers’ practices, pedagogical beliefs, and assumptions for a culturally inclusive ECEfS.
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Hall, Claire. "Implementing a Reggio Emilia inspired approach in a mainstream Western Australian context: The impact on early childhood teachers' professional role." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2013. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1082.
Full textAbstract:
Reggio Emilia, an approach to early childhood that was developed in a Northern Italian city of the same name, is highly regarded as acknowledged by educators and researchers world-wide (Gandini, 1993). The Reggio Emilia philosophy is distinguished by the presentation of an image of children as being strong, rich and powerful learners (Hendricks, 2004; Millikan, 2003). This approach is marked as being adopted and adapted to suit particular cultural and educational settings. These situation sensitive approaches are noted as being Reggio Emilia inspired.
This qualitative case study investigated how the professional role of four early childhood teachers was impacted by the implementation of a Reggio Emilia inspired approach in a mainstream Western Australian context. As part of the investigation, the factors that facilitated the change process and those which inhibited it were identified.
The study was conducted in two schools, one private and the other government. The study participants were four pre-primary teachers who were implementing a Reggio Emilia inspired approach in their pre-primary settings. A school leader from each of the study schools was also interviewed. Qualitative data collection methods included observation, semi-structured interviews, field notes, reflective journals and document analysis. Data were analysed using thematic analysis procedures.
The study found that as the teachers engaged with the Reggio Emilia philosophy, they were challenged to change their pedagogical practices which, in turn, impacted on their professional role. These changes were found to conform to the Reggio Emilia approach as described by Fu, Stemmel and Hill (2002). While the factors that influenced the change process differed across the two cases, there were commonalities. The first of these was the influence of the school’s policies and governance. In one of the cases, the lack of support from the school leadership team, processes and policies impacted negatively on the change process and the teacher involved. In contrast, in the second case, a supportive leadership team and a whole school approach facilitated the change process.
The second factor found to support the change process was related to internal teacher qualities of commitment, knowledge, self-belief, resilience and self-reflection. These qualities were identified as influencing both the changes the teachers made in their pedagogical practices and in their professional roles. The study found that the internal factors were interrelated and supported the teachers to both undertake and persist in the change process.
Finally, it would seem that a weakness in some facilitating factors can be compensated by strengths in others. This was evident in the first case where the teacher was working in isolation and largely without the support of the school leadership, yet with high levels of commitment, knowledge, self-belief, resilience and self-reflection was able to resist considerable pressure to conform to a teacher-driven approach requiring more direct teaching. In the second case, even though a number of the teachers reported the negative influence of low levels of knowledge and self-belief, the change process was sustained through collegiate support and strong school leadership.
The findings of the study are relevant to those who are engaging with, or seek to understand the implementation and impact of a Reggio Emilia inspired approach in a different cultural, social and political context. Of particular note, is the recognition that pedagogical change impacts on the role of the teacher. Further, that the change process is either supported or impeded by the key factors of school policy and governance and internal teacher characteristics. The findings further suggest that the positive influence of these factors can be increased by professional learning, networking and access to collegiate support.
28
Meehan, Catherine Jane. "Thinking and acting: an exploration of Australian early childhood teachers' beliefs and practice regarding learning, teaching and religious education." Thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2007. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/download/3155d87a15864df155fc3265f771be9b98e49f5129822f290f23a5a33c63d412/1893816/64997_downloaded_stream_222.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this research was to explore the beliefs and practice of early childhood teachers in Catholic schools in Australia. In particular, the research investigated the teachers' beliefs about teaching, learning and Religious Education. Also examined in this thesis was the classroom practice of early childhood teachers and the factors that impacted on their stated beliefs and translation into classroom practice.
29
Moore, Wendy M. "Clever talk : using literature to boost vocabulary through explicit teaching in early childhood." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2013. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/685.
Full textAbstract:
Vocabulary knowledge is an important predictor of literacy and broader academic outcomes. Children’s literature is a rich source of sophisticated vocabulary, and this study investigated the efficacy of boosting word learning by incorporating explicit instruction approaches into story-book read-aloud sessions. This design-based research study sought to compare two models: teaching a greater number of word meanings more briefly and teaching fewer words in greater depth. Six schools from low SES areas participated, with the main intervention program running for three 6 week blocks.
Overall, both of the explicit approaches were more effective in improving word learning for Grade One students than a traditional, student-centred or constructivist approach. Teaching more words briefly (greater breadth) was just as effective overall as teaching fewer words in a robust manner (greater depth). Students made larger gains on more difficult words than on simpler words, although the pattern of word learning was affected by the students’ vocabulary knowledge at the outset. Students with the highest initial vocabulary scores made greater gains, and learnt more of the most difficult words, than students with lower initial scores. While the intervention resulted in large effect size gains on target vocabulary words as assessed by researcher-developed measures, there was no impact on standardised vocabulary measures (PPVT and EVT) when compared to a control group.
Explicit instructional approaches have not been widely used in Western Australian classrooms, so the study used group interviews to investigate teachers’ responses to the programs. Mitigating and facilitative factors influencing the adoption of vocabulary instruction practices in schools were explored. Student engagement, ease of use, time efficiency and the provision of prepared materials were important factors in teacher responsiveness to the programs.
30
O'Gorman, Lyndal May. "An even better start? : parent conceptions of the preparatory year in a non-government school in Queensland." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2007. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16649/1/Lyndal_O%27Gorman_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The introduction of a universal, full-time Preparatory Year in all Queensland schools from 2007 is a significant reform in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in that state. Rapidly increasing enrolment of children in full-time Preparatory Year programs in non-government schools has been a feature of the Queensland context over the past decade. These trends, along with efforts towards consistency of services and universal school starting ages across Australian states and territories have prompted this important reform to early education in Queensland. Constructions of the role of parents as consumers of early childhood services and/or partners in their children's early education suggest that consideration of parent views of this reform is both timely and strategic. This thesis reports the findings of a research project investigating parent conceptions of a Preparatory Year in a non-government school in outer urban Queensland. The research used a phenomenographic approach to elicit and describe the qualitatively different ways in which a group of 26 parents viewed the Preparatory Year. Analysis revealed that the range of parent conceptions of the Preparatory Year demonstrated varying emphasis on parent needs, child needs and preparation for future success in school and beyond. The study led to the construction of five categories of description outlining five different ways of understanding the Preparatory Year. The Preparatory Year was viewed in relation to (1) the current needs of the parents, (2) the current needs of the child, (3) preparation for Year One, (4) providing an advantage in primary school, and (5) preparation for future success beyond school. These five categories were linked and differentiated from each other by two central themes, or dimensions of variation: (1) a beneficiary dimension in which either the parent or the child were seen to benefit from the program, and (2) a temporal dimension in which the program was viewed in relation to meeting current needs or preparing for the future. The results of the study suggest that variation exists in the ways that parents may conceptualise the phenomenon of the Preparatory Year in Queensland. Analysis of the data further suggests that tensions exist around whether the Preparatory Year ought to emphasise preparation for the future and/or meet current needs of children; and whether those programs should meet the needs of the parent and/or the needs of the child. This thesis opens up the possibility of future tensions, with the potential for parent preferences for a formal interpretation of the Preparatory Year curriculum being at odds with the new play-based Early Years Curriculum Guidelines. Results of the study suggest that more attention be given to engaging parents and eliciting their views of the early childhood programs experienced by their children. Moreover, it provides an approach for ways in which parent views might be generated, analysed and incorporated into future policy developments and reforms.
31
O'Gorman, Lyndal May. "An even better start? : parent conceptions of the preparatory year in a non-government school in Queensland." Queensland University of Technology, 2007. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16649/.
Full textAbstract:
The introduction of a universal, full-time Preparatory Year in all Queensland schools from 2007 is a significant reform in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in that state. Rapidly increasing enrolment of children in full-time Preparatory Year programs in non-government schools has been a feature of the Queensland context over the past decade. These trends, along with efforts towards consistency of services and universal school starting ages across Australian states and territories have prompted this important reform to early education in Queensland. Constructions of the role of parents as consumers of early childhood services and/or partners in their children's early education suggest that consideration of parent views of this reform is both timely and strategic. This thesis reports the findings of a research project investigating parent conceptions of a Preparatory Year in a non-government school in outer urban Queensland. The research used a phenomenographic approach to elicit and describe the qualitatively different ways in which a group of 26 parents viewed the Preparatory Year. Analysis revealed that the range of parent conceptions of the Preparatory Year demonstrated varying emphasis on parent needs, child needs and preparation for future success in school and beyond. The study led to the construction of five categories of description outlining five different ways of understanding the Preparatory Year. The Preparatory Year was viewed in relation to (1) the current needs of the parents, (2) the current needs of the child, (3) preparation for Year One, (4) providing an advantage in primary school, and (5) preparation for future success beyond school. These five categories were linked and differentiated from each other by two central themes, or dimensions of variation: (1) a beneficiary dimension in which either the parent or the child were seen to benefit from the program, and (2) a temporal dimension in which the program was viewed in relation to meeting current needs or preparing for the future. The results of the study suggest that variation exists in the ways that parents may conceptualise the phenomenon of the Preparatory Year in Queensland. Analysis of the data further suggests that tensions exist around whether the Preparatory Year ought to emphasise preparation for the future and/or meet current needs of children; and whether those programs should meet the needs of the parent and/or the needs of the child. This thesis opens up the possibility of future tensions, with the potential for parent preferences for a formal interpretation of the Preparatory Year curriculum being at odds with the new play-based Early Years Curriculum Guidelines. Results of the study suggest that more attention be given to engaging parents and eliciting their views of the early childhood programs experienced by their children. Moreover, it provides an approach for ways in which parent views might be generated, analysed and incorporated into future policy developments and reforms.
32
Enright, Coleen, and n/a. "The Co-op School : The Co-operative School, ACT, 1978-1980, curriculum options compatible with alternative, early childhood education." University of Canberra. Education, 1985. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060707.142242.
Full textAbstract:
This field study was based on experiences as a
teacher and parent in an alternative, progressive early
childhood school: The Co-Operative School, O'Connor, ACT.
The data for the study was recorded during 1978, 1979,
1980; the first three years of the school's existence as a
Government school. The development and educational
progress of fourteen girls and boys, aged from five to
eight years in 1978, was followed. The philosophy,
policies , organization, curriculum content, teaching
strategies and general milieu of the school were examined.
The aim of the study was to analyse the philosophy
of the school, as set out in the constitution, and to see
how it related to curriculum and teaching strategies.
Issues of freedom and choice within a compulsory school
environment were examined in relation to the stated aims
of the school: the underlying reason for this examination
was the problem caused by the gap which existed between
philosophy and practice, which caused the experiences of
the children in the school, to often be at variance with
stated aims.
The developmental needs of children in the early
childhood age group, and the personal variables they
brought to the learning situation, were related to the
school environment. Social learning theory was utilised,
as a perspective from which to provide a unified
conceptual basis, for planned interventions in teaching
and learning. The importance of modelling, self-expectation,
feelings of self-efficacy and competency,
were related to the community, the curriculum content, and
teaching strategies of the school.
Decision-making strategies were examined for their
relevance to consensus-based processes and a co-operative
style of community management. Consideration was given to
the provision of a cohesive environment, in which adult
members of the community could participate freely in
autonomous learning experiences with children. The area of
conflict resolution and the incidence of aggressive
behaviour in the school were explored, and techniques for
successful negotiation of differences were suggested.
Areas of the curriculum which have traditionally
been difficult for alternative schools to implement to the
satisfaction of all community members were examined.
Areas such as: goal-setting and m o t i v a t i o n of children;
basic skills in early childhood; transition to mainstream
education; the effect of emergent lifestyle values; the
provision of equal opportunity for girls and boys; and the
importance of co-operative learning strategies.
The study ends with reflections on the place of
alternative, progressive schools in the 1980s, and the
need for such schools to exist to provide an educational
choice for parents and children in the future.
33
Moore, Wendy M. "Preventing early literacy failure: A case study of embedded-explicit instruction in vocabulary, print knowledge and phonemic awareness for pre-primary students with oral language impairments." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2008. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/239.
Full textAbstract:
Students with oral language impairments are at significant risk of experiencing early literacy difficulties, and both poor language skills and early literacy impairment may jeopardise a student's future academic success. Early intervention may be the most effective way of preventing literacy and subsequent academic failure. This study describes some of the challenges and benefits of a program to help rural Western Australian schools provide effective early intervention for students with oral language impairments.
Oral language factors including phonological awareness, vocabulary, and discourse level comprehension are believed to contribute to literacy development. In this study, the relationship between these skills and literacy acquisition is examined. The role of oral language competence in literacy development is considered within the framework of the simple view of reading. From within this framework, a model of early intervention has been developed by the researcher, which involves both explicit and embedded instruction in three areas considered crucial for emergent literacy; namely, phonemic awareness, print knowledge (concepts of print and letter-sound knowledge), and vocabulary.
A trial of this intervention program, Words and Letters, was undertaken in four rural Western Australian schools. Education assistants in pre-primary classes were trained to teach emergent literacy and oral language skills to small groups of students with early indicators of oral language impairment. The program involved four 30 minute sessions per week over 15 weeks. Results indicated significant improvements for the intervention group in all three areas with a corresponding reduction in risk for subsequent literacy failure. The effectiveness of the intervention is discussed in terms of outcomes for the students and for the schools. Case studies are used to explore the characteristics of students who made good progress as well as those who proved resistant to remediation and therefore remained at risk.
34
Breathnach, Helen. "Parent views of play in the Preparatory Year in Queensland." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2013. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/60127/1/Helen_Breathnach_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Over the past ten years, Queensland has experienced a period of significant education reform including the introduction in 2007 of a Preparatory Year of schooling for children aged five years. Recently, the development of a new Australian Curriculum represents a further curriculum reform impacting on Prep in Queensland, as Prep is, for the first time, part of the broader school curriculum and specific content is to be taught. The place of play as a context for learning is a current topic of interest during this period of change, and this thesis argues that consideration of parent views with regard to play and its place in Prep is timely and strategic.
This thesis reports the findings of a research project that used case study to elicit and describe the ways in which eight parents viewed play in Prep. Analysis of parent interviews identified four themes: (1) parents interpreting play in Prep, (2) play and learning in Prep, (3) the Prep teacher's role in play and (4) parent tensions regarding play and learning in Prep.
The results of the study suggest that variation exists in the ways in which parents may view and interpret play in Prep in Queensland. Analysis of the data further suggests that these interpretations may reflect parents' understanding of the Prep program and their attitudes to play and school generally. This thesis suggests that parents may spend limited time in Prep classrooms, which may impact on their understanding of play as a theoretical tenet in Prep and may highlight limitations in parent-teacher partnerships.
The results of this study suggest that more attention be given to engaging parents in early childhood programs and eliciting their views on these programs. The results also suggest the importance of early childhood teachers advocating on behalf of play with their teaching colleagues, school leaders and policy makers.
35
Mack, Tony. "To delight and to profit : are schools in the early childhood area being offered a markedly different theatre experience since December 1991, when the Australia Council Drama Committee changed its funding guidelines? /." Title page, preface and contents only, 1994. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09AR/09arm153.pdf.
Full text
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Smyth, Jennifer Ann. "Australian preparatory students' representation of their knowledge of the nature of science." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2018. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/122929/1/Jennifer_Smyth_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This study makes a unique contribution to the field of science education. Few studies have investigated the prior knowledge of the nature of science that Australian Preparatory students bring to their learning and how they represent that knowledge. Understanding students' prior knowledge enables teachers to build on it to develop engaging and relevant science lessons for young learners. Affording students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the nature of science is important for future citizens to contribute responsibly to contemporary socioscientific issues and the unexpected consequences that accompany them.
37
Lovering, Christine. "I see a spark and blow on it: Drama practice in Year 1 and the new Australian Curriculum in the Arts." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2015. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1740.
Full textAbstract:
New educational directives have an effect on the practice of teachers in schools. This study is propelled by the introduction of a national Australian Curriculum and subsequent changes to the Arts curriculum. As one of the five arts subjects, drama has been included in the primary school curriculum in Western Australia since 1997, however, its inclusion and the teaching of drama has not been consistently realised.
Teacher perspectives and beliefs about specific Learning Areas influence their planning and practice; often this is related to past experiences. This study aims to determine Year 1 teachers’ perspectives of, and practices in, drama. In addition, knowledge of the new Australian Curriculum in the Arts and the level of support required during the implementation process are sought. The study focuses on the Year 1 level, as this particular year marks a significant transition in a young child’s life from a Pre‐primary setting to the Year 1 classroom; considering the playful quality inherent in drama experiences, it is a time when drama pedagogy could be explored fully.
Data collection instruments were generated based on previous research and state curriculum documents. Participants in the study were asked to complete a questionnaire. The data provided an insight into Year 1 teacher perspectives and practice and the new Arts curriculum. The subsequent semi‐structured interviews were conducted to augment the questionnaire data.
The study found that Year 1 teachers extolled the positive benefits of using drama; however, experiences in drama, both as teacher and participant, affected their willingness to implement it. Teachers were using drama, yet analysis of semi‐structured interviews revealed a common practice of implementing incidental and unplanned drama experiences. A foundation for the implementation of drama in the new Arts curriculum with recommendations for possible professional development and support for drama practice are provided.
38
McKenzie, Patricia Jay. "Early childhood : special education." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/26874.
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This study examines the growth and development of a program for the preparation of special education teachers in Early Childhood Education, Following an overview of historical perspectives in Early Childhood and Special Education, including international influences, models which would aid in the development of such a program are discussed.
The Provincial Child Care Facilities Licensing Board and the Ministry of Education, of British Columbia expressed a wish for the development of post-basic special education programs in Early Childhood Education and their willingness to fund several programs in the province. Their critieria and support is included in a description of the development, implementation and evaluation of the Early Childhood: Special Education Program at Vancouver Community College? Langara Campus.
The purpose of this study is, therefore, to provide
information on the development of such a program and to examine
the needs and possible future directions of teacher preparation
in special education for Early Childhood Education.Education, Faculty of
Graduate
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Gulmez-dag, Gulcin. "Effectiveness Of Early Childhood Teacher Education Programs: Perceptions Of Early Childhood Teachers." Master's thesis, METU, 2012. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12614473/index.pdf.
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The purpose of this research study is to identify teachers&rsquoperceptions on the effectiveness of their teacher education programs in supporting their professional practices. The data to the study were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 17 in-service teachers working in public early childhood institutions in Ankara. The data were analyzed through the emerging codes and themes shaped by the research questions. The results indicated that the 1998 program the study intended to investigate was found to be relatively satisfying in terms of developing professional teach ing competencies. The major weakness was reported to be theory-oriented structure which did not allow for ample practice opportunities both in the courses and in the field experiences. Moreover, due to the infancy ages of the field, the contents of courses offered were perceived to be in line with the essentials of primary and elementary level which contradicts the necessities of early childhood teaching. The findings were further discussed and interpreted.
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Akdag, Zeynep. "Beginning Early Childhood Education Teachers." Phd thesis, METU, 2013. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12615312/index.pdf.
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The aim of this study was to scrutinize perceptions, expectations and concerns of pre-service early childhood education (ECE) teachers before they start their careers and their challenges in their first year as they became beginning teachers. This study also focused on documenting public school contexts where beginning teachers have been either supported and given the opportunity to develop as successful teachers or discouraged and left alone with the challenges in their first year of teaching.
In order to investigate this phenomenon, 16 pre-service early childhood education teachers studying at the same teacher education program were interviewed about their perceptions, expectations and concerns on their future profession immediately before their graduation. Participating teachers started to teach in public schools at different cities after their graduation. They were interviewed at the end of the first and the second semester they taught about their experiences and difficulties, and positive aspects of working in public schools.
Moustakas&rsquos phenomenological analysis was utilized to analyze data from interviews in which beginning teachers reflected on their experiences in teacher education program and of being new teachers in public school context in Turkey. Findings have revealed that pre-service teachers were aware of many difficulties in public schools and ready to contend with those difficulties, yet some of the challenges they faced were beyond their initial anticipation. All those challenges were originated from teacher education program, Ministry of National Education&rsquo
s system itself, and local condition where beginning teachers were appointed. Suggestions for teacher education programs, Ministry of National Education, and administrators were proposed.
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Fox, James J., John Wheeler, Pamela J. Mims, Cathy Galyon Keramidas, Kimberly D. Hale, and M. Michaels. "Issues in Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education: Questions, Answers, & Discussion Forum." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2012. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/212.
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Keramidas, Cathy Galyon. "Assessment in Early Childhood." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2015. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/4157.
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Morris, Joanne B. "Reflective thinking in early childhood education." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape3/PQDD_0020/MQ55529.pdf.
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Evans, Katherine Louise. "Deconstructing 'readiness' in early childhood education." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/27258.
Full textAbstract:
In the context of early childhood education, in England and internationally, ideas and practices of ‘readiness’ have been of interest within research, policy and practice for some time. Much critical research, scholarship and activism has focused on exploring developmental aspects of this phenomenon arguing for: more ‘appropriate’ standards of ‘readiness’ against which to judge children’s learning and development; closer relationships between schools, preschools and communities that produce culturally responsive concepts of ‘readiness’; and the critical examination of the relationship between early childhood and compulsory school education. Within this body of work there is significant emphasis on developing and articulating alternative ideas and approaches that can unsettle dominant, normalizing practices of teaching and learning. Within these critical explorations of ‘readiness’ however, there is an avenue of scholarship that, seemingly, is as yet unexplored – one that addresses the concept of ‘readiness’ itself and asks how it may be possible to conceptualize ‘readiness’ in a way that is consistent with, and responsive to, complex processes of teaching and learning. This is not just a shift in practice, or in policy narratives, but is an ontological and epistemological change – a reconceptualization of ‘readiness’ that takes as its starting point a fundamental assumption of the positive and productive force of difference, in learning and in life. This thesis explores the ontological and epistemological shifts required to move away from ideas of ‘readiness’ that attach progression to a mechanistically linear movement. It develops and articulates an approach that embraces the emergent and unpredictable nature of learning, from which a concept of ‘readiness’ emerges which works with open, non-linear and emergent dimensions of education as necessary aspects of the complex systems within which we work. The thesis works with the concept of a ‘diffractive methodology’, exploring the concept of ‘readiness’ through ideas and theories drawn from complexity theory, from the immanent philosophy of Deleuze, and Deleuze and Guattari, and through onto-epistemological ideas of materiality and the entanglement of matter and meaning explored in particular by Barad. Methodologically, this study works within the space opened up by recent developments within ‘post-qualitative’ approaches to research. Working with concepts of ‘sensation’ and ‘affect’ it engages critically with often taken for granted concepts and practices such as: assumptions concerning empirical/theoretical research; ideas of ‘data collection’ and ‘data analysis’; and the production of knowledge in and through experience. Deleuzian philosophy (among other influences) is approached in this methodological context as an open system, as opposed to a totalizing structure. Concepts including ‘sensation’ and ‘affect’ are approached as potentialities, the methodological value of which is affirmed through the ways in which they have been productively put to work in the context of this study in order to produce spaces in which it is possible to think and act in ways that challenge conventional structures. What is developed in this thesis is a concept of ‘readiness’ as an ‘active-affective-ethical-relation’, as opposed to a fixed and normalizing identity. It is argued that, through this reconceptualization of ‘readiness’ as a central concept within early childhood education, other taken for granted concepts are unsettled, in particular ideas and practices of assessment. In exploring these concepts, the original ideas produced within this thesis, in relation to both early childhood education and research methodology, aim to contribute to the creation of more ethical and inclusive spaces of early childhood education and educational research.
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Ryan, Deborah M. "Parent involvement in early childhood education." Online version, 1998. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/1998/1998ryand.pdf.
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Anick, Jill A. "'Education as democracy' in early childhood /." Connect to thesis, 2009. http://repository.unimelb.edu.au/10187/3728.
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Kull, William Anthony. "Insulating effects of early childhood education." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2006. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/3064.
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The purpose of this study was to ascertain if formal early childhood education was related to the likelihood of later criminal activity. The secondary data analysis within this study did support inferences for four specific crime factors. This study found that preschool attendance lessened the incurrence of future criminal activity in crime categories of total numbers of damage offenses, total numbers of theft offenses, total numbers of damage alone offenses, and total numbers of injury and theft offenses.
48
Evanshen, Pamela, Rebecca Isbell, and C. Willis. "ETSU’s Doctorate in Early Childhood." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2006. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/4387.
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Gallard, Diahann. "Anthrozoology in early childhood education : a multiphase mixed methods study of animal-related education in early childhood." Thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, 2015. http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/4494/.
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This study is about the features of educational experience in early childhood linked to animals, with a particular emphasis on the role and perspectives of early education practitioners (EEPs) in England. It includes a consideration of the influences of the earlier scholars and philosophers and a shift in pedagogy and methods for young children’s education; about animals, with animals and ‘as nature’. The study ‘maps’ the status of animal-related education in early childhood and it notes a decline in animal-assisted learning which has occurred as an outcome of particular political activities, legislation, and other factors. The research is both exploratory and confirmatory and utilised a mixed methods bricolage as a methodology, method and philosophy. There are three phases of research; an evaluation of the status of animal-assisted and animal-related learning in early childhood education, an inquiry into the attitudes and perspectives of early education practitioners and the development and piloting of a framework to support early education practitioners for animal-related education. The action-oriented final phase includes the piloting of an ‘Animal Aware School’ scheme and a number of dissemination activities and these are evaluated. An outcome of the research is the identification of the association between animal-related education and the global agenda for a Sustainable Future (SF) and the emergence of the notion of ‘noticing animals’. The findings of this thesis make an original contribution to knowledge in the field in three ways; 1) There has been a collection of new data – predominantly the perspectives of early education practitioners about animal-related education in early childhood – and a first systematic review of relevant texts and discourse, 2) This is a first inquiry at the intersection of the anthrozoology, early childhood education and psychology fields of study about animal-related education in early childhood, and 3) There has been the creation of a new term ‘Early Childhood Educational Anthrozoology’ which has not been in usage before and will help with future discourse.
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Jung, Myoungwhon. "Professional development in early childhood mathematics examining professional growth in two early childhood teachers through collaboration /." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2006. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3215198.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, School of Education, 2006.Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-04, Section: A, page: 1216. Adviser: Mary B. McMullen. "Title from dissertation home page (viewed May 14, 2007)."