As the first module of the programme, this module introduces you to some of the key concepts which are fundamental to setting the pathway of unlocking your potential to become a future-ready educator of the 21^st century. With an intentional shift towards concept-based teaching and learning through your discipline/specialist subject area, this module leads you to examine yourself through the lenses of observation and reflection to critically analyse learning both of your learners and yourself. It opens the doors to your learning trajectory through the course of professional development on this programme with an emphasis on practical experience in the classroom, academic reading and writing, as well as critical enquiry. On completing this module you will observe that you have begun thinking about learning in critical, reflective, cross-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary ways.

MA Ed Phase 2 introduces you to research methods and research proposal writing and learning from Reflections on professional contexts. These learnings pave your way to develop the research study to be completed in Phase 3. During this phase you will complete two modules: 

1. EDU7393 - Research Proposal - a 3000 word equivalent essay which gives you 20 credits
2. EDU7412 - Reflecting on Professional Contexts - a 4000 word essay and 2000 word equivalent portfolio of evidences for 40 credits

Welcome to the Future of Early Childhood Education in the 21st Century!

In an era marked by rapid innovation and change, early childhood education is evolving to meet the unique needs of today's learners and tomorrow’s world. This programme invites you to embark on a journey that redefines educational approaches, nurtures professional growth, fosters leadership, and integrates cutting-edge research and methodologies within early childhood contexts.

This foundational course is designed to empower you as an early childhood educator with essential competencies for the 21st century. Through an in-depth exploration of social-emotional, psychological, and well-being dimensions, you’ll gain the skills to cultivate these critical abilities in young learners. Together, we will explore new learning paradigms, refine teaching strategies, and embrace emerging trends to ensure each child’s holistic development.

Welcome to a transformative learning experience that will prepare you to be a leader and advocate for the future of early childhood education. Let’s shape the future of learning, one step at a time.

The module focuses on the development of transversal competencies and skills in lifelong learning in early years education. Transversal competencies are examined through the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and dispositions that form the basis for lifelong learning and social participation. The future orientation and the nature of developing practices of EY are focused.

In the module, you will study the professional identity of early childhood education and care teachers. You will focus on curriculum implementation and compare and evaluate different local curriculums. You will learn how to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and learning activities in different curriculums. You will also study the formation of professional interaction, and your professional expertise, required in cross-sectoral work communities, will be developed. You will practice methods to develop education during the school year in an ECE centre through your role as a facilitator. You will build on your knowledge of learning and development through transversal competencies and through phenomenon-based learning approach. You will deepen your understanding of the teaching tools and methods for scaffolding children’s transversal learning and study capacities in classroom activities and outdoor activities.

Goals:

• Understand the role of transversal competencies in EY

• Focus on active agency in learning

• Recognize the roles and responsibilities of different professionals working in the ECE team

• Understand the development of practices opportunities on the local premises

• Set lifelong learning goals for personal and professional development

Practices:

• Learn to plan and implement transversal learning activities through phenomenon-based approach

• Practice objective-oriented and scaffolding planning based on the curriculum

• Consider the continuous development practices

• Consider the roles of teaching personnel and practice leading classroom work

• Plan a future-oriented project implementation in local premises

A digital educational repository is a virtual warehouse that stores a vast collection of educational resources in a centralized and accessible format. These resources can encompass a wide range of materials, including:

• Textual Content: Lesson plans, textbooks, articles, research papers, and ebooks.
• Multimedia Resources: Videos, audio recordings, simulations, and interactive learning objects.
• Assessment Tools: Quizzes, tests, and self-assessment activities.

Functions of a Digital Educational Repository:

• Accessibility: Provides educators and learners with easy access to a wealth of high-quality educational materials, often regardless of location or time constraints.
• Discovery: Powerful search tools and categorization systems allow users to find relevant resources quickly and efficiently.
• Curation: Repositories can house curated collections of resources on specific topics, ensuring quality and alignment with curriculum standards.
• Collaboration: Some platforms facilitate the sharing and collaboration on educational resources among educators.
• Preservation: Digital repositories offer a safe and secure way to preserve valuable educational materials for future generations.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Freely available repositories offer educators and learners access to valuable resources without incurring additional costs.

Benefits of Digital Educational Repositories:

• Enhanced Learning: Educators can leverage a wider variety of engaging and interactive materials to create more effective learning experiences.
• Differentiation: Access to diverse resources allows educators to cater to different learning styles and cater to individual student needs.
• Professional Development: Educators can utilize the repository to find resources for self-improvement and continuous learning.
• Personalized Learning: Learners can explore topics at their own pace and find resources that align with their interests.
• Global Knowledge Sharing: Repositories can foster the exchange of educational resources and best practices across borders.

Overall, digital educational repositories offer a powerful tool to transform learning and empower educators and learners alike.