WP 2 Early childhood education

University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Regional Institute for Educational Research in Marche, Italy

Teacher Training University Institute of Aix-Marseille, France

University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

TASKS & DELIVERABLES R= report, D=demonstrator

Task 1. (Phase 2, months 2-18) -------►

Technology content analysis and studies - Master studies -------►- Analyses of national curriculum guidelines

Task 2. (Phase 4, months 13-36)

Joint European ideas for enhanced TE in curriculum development of ECE -------►

by utilizing results of Content analysis, Interviews, Pilot case studies

Task 3. (Phase 4, months 6-36)

Teacher training.Development of ECE teacher education in co-operation with “trainees” -------►

Task 4. (Phase 4, continuous)

Pilot case studiesNew ideas will be tested in practise as a part of teacher education programmes -------►Evaluation of impacts on attitudes

Curriculum analysis reports (R) m.18

Report of factors that have impact on self-image related to technology (R) m.24

Suggestions for early education curriculum development for enhanced TE (R) m.32

Suggestions for early education teacher training (R) m.32

Description of best practices (R, D) m.24

Task 1….Master theses at University of Jyväskylä

In process:The content of the Curricula on ECEC and Preschool Education from the technology education point of view. - Otto Lahtinen [content analysis of national curriculum guidelines (2), curricula of municipalities (3x 2) and curricula of centres (3x3x2)]

Preschool children’s parents’ opinions and experiences of computers in children’s use - Matti Honka [interview of 10 parents]

Toys and play guiding children’s gender roles. Parents’ opinions concerning toys connected to gender - Anna-Kaisa Asikainen [interview of 10 parents having a daughter at 5-6 years old]

Technology and technological actors in children’s picture – books : a gender perspective - Heidi Kotanen, [analysis of narratives of picture books 10 - 20 of the most popular picture books on library lists having some technological content]

Master theses …..Finished:“It is possible to get early experiences of technology already in

kindergarten.” Girls, boys and early years technology education. - Jenni Vuoristo. 2007. University of Jyväskylä. [Questionnaire to preschool teachers, the sample size 160 of which 37 returned representing 5 municipalities. 10 teachers were also interviewed.]

Low return percent: - unfamiliar perspective to ECE for teachers

Task 4 …Case studies of practices in technology education: child groups visiting demonstration classes in ECE teacher

education at University of JyväskyläRobot project

Reports available on the digital portfolio platform (WP2)

Electricity workshop

Woodcraft workshop

Dismantling play

Tasks 2, 3, 4 … A conceptual framework for analysing and developing ECE curricula and planning practices to enhance technology education -first draft on the digital portfolio platform (WP2)

Some conceptual frameworks

What is technoloy education in early years?

How do children learn?

A learning cycleBredekamp, S. & Rosegrant. T. 1992. Reaching potentials through appropriate

curriculum : Conceptual frameworks for applying the guidelines. In S. Bredekamp & T. Rosegrant (Eds.) Reaching potentials: Apprpriate curriculum and assessment

for young children. Vol.1. Washington: NAEYC, 28-42.

TABLE 1 Children as technological actors/ agents in play and other activities of ECE

Role Nature of activity Phase of learning cycle

Producer

Designer

Inventor

Constructor/ manufacturer

User

Consumer (selecting and using technology in everyday life)

Professional user

Maintainer, repairperson

(Other roles are possible too)

Playing

explore with objects

imaginary play

games with rules

Real “doing”

while playing

in ”true working situations” i.e. daily routines and little tasks

in physical activity, exploration and artistic self-

expression

Experience & awareness

Exploration

Inquiry

Utilization

A circle of a child’s life experiences to recognize the areas of human needs and wants to be satisfied with a help of

technology - one possible example of individual “circles”

More categorized approach to technology in our environment

Food

Cloths

HygieneWorkandPlay

Environment

Communi-cation

Dwelling

Everydaytechnology