International Certificate in Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education

Asian International College-India

• Part of the Busy Bees Group, drawing upon leading teacher education academies: Busy Bees Early Years Training Academy, UK Asian International College, Singapore

• Began operations in 2015

• Committed to the professionalism of the ECCE industry, providing courses from certificates to diplomas to aspiring and practising ECCE educators

• Offers programmes using a fully digitised curriculum that can be offered completely online, face-to-face, or a combination

Academic leadershipJeremy Williams, Academic Director, PhDJeremy is a pioneer and specialist in the field of technology-enhanced learning. His main research focus is authentic learning environments and the ways in which learning experiences might be better contextualised to promote greater student engagement and deeper learning. A PhD economist with more than 25 years of experience in universities, Jeremy has held various senior leadership positions in the private sector including Chief Academic Officer at Knowledge Universe in Singapore.

Amrita Randhawa, Head of FacultyAmrita has worked in laboratory preschools in the United States. In India, she has been involved in teacher education and curriculum design for a number of years. Whether planning classes for 3 year olds, teaching college students or training teachers, her focus has been the creation of authentic learning experiences for all learners. Amrita has earned an Ed.M. in Education from Harvard University and a B.A. in Psychology magna cum laude from Mount Holyoke College.

• Designed for the 21st century learner, engaging and highly interactive, using same digital devices you routinely use in your personal life

• Key theories and effective practice in early childhood care and education (ECCE) are discussed using a scenario based approach, applying internationally accepted standards, to simulate what will likely happen in reality

• The programme is an entry point for those interested in a career working with young children, particularly in an international school setting

• It is a good complement to a BEd or DipEd programme, and can be studied while undertaking these programmes or taken separately.

Overview of the ICFE programme …

1. Child Development (2 weeks)

2. Principles and Practices in Preschool Education (3 weeks)

3. Language Arts, Numeracy and Science (3 weeks)

4. Music & Movement, Arts & Craft (2 weeks)

5. Working with Families (2 weeks)

Module content …

You will be able to:

• Engage children in a range of activities to stimulate their learning and provide them with meaningful, developmentally-appropriate experiences

• Apply knowledge and skills which will enhance the quality of language / numeracy / science / music / arts and craft based classroom interactions with young children

• Work with families on children’s learning forming effective parent-teacher relationships

• Demonstrate enhanced digital literacy skills, and the ability to use various media to communicate knowledge and understanding of early childhood education.

Key learning outcomes …

Bachelor’s degree in Early Years Education

Awarded by a UK university

Main benefits to students …• Certified by a well-recognised global brand in ECCE as it expands in Asia

• Pedagogical model consistent with approach of international schools (e.g. IBO, CIE); learner-centric, problem-based, digital delivery

• In discussion with UK university for articulation pathway into internationally-recognised bachelor’s degree programme

• Fast-track into International Diploma in Education (Pre-School Teaching) (IDEPT)

IDEPT with Internship Programme

Purpose: To provide pipeline of ready-trained teachers for Busy Bees centres and partner organisations

10-month study for International Diploma in Education (Preschool Teaching) (IDEPT)

If trainee is employer sponsored, they must serve a training bond period

First intake: April 2016

Questions that may be on your mind right now …

1. How does online learning differ from classroom teaching and distance education?

2. What skills are required in an online classroom?

3. Will my computer or handheld device meet all the technology requirements necessary for this course?

4. What support services are available as part of this course?

5. What are the expectations, standards and requirements of AIC-I?

6. Will the certificate issued be valid in other countries?

7. Do you have to be a tech expert to do this programme?








From teaching to learning

Old World: Teacher Centric New World: Learner Centric

You, alone Through collaboration

The benefits of a learning community















Can you play a YouTube without this happening?








Student servicespersonnel are

embedded in online classrooms

Proactive rather than

reactive








Key features

• Learners play the role of decision-maker, auditor, consultant or advisor, NOT people who learn how to pass tests

• Problems are unstructured (open-ended) that require resolution – there will not always be a ‘correct’ answer!

• We want to find out what you know, rather than what you don’t know

• No ’mugging up’, no testing of memories, no regurgitation of textbooks …

• Tell us what you’ve learnt that will make you a better early childhood educator








The global reach of Busy Bees …








LMS built on Desire2Learn (D2L)

Can I download the content?

• All course content is available online

• Can be be downloaded in pdf format but this is not encouraged

• Learning is centred around external links, videos, and online discussion

Collaborative learning model

Media-rich content

Evidence based assessment

Assessment

What you will NOT get …

• Multiple-choice examinations

• Essay assignments that require ‘text-book’ answers

• An invigilated, closed-book, final examination.

Assessment

What you will get …

• Assessment that is ‘little and often’

• Problem-based learning (PBL)

• Short discussion board activities

• Case study analyses

What I used to think, what I think now, and how I will do things differently in the future …

www.busybeesasia.com

Thank you for listening