Provocations, Reflections and Observations

When

12 Jun 2015 - 13 Jun 2015
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Asia/Singapore

Where

Melbourne - ether Conference Centre
265 - 281 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC

Event Tag

This workshop is designed to create unique and meaningful learning experiences for participants who are interested in enhancing their understanding of the desirable characteristics and qualities of learning environments for children. A key feature of this series is the opportunity to engage in reflective practices designed to inspire and challenge participants to create new perspectives on high quality learning environments. Participants will engage in interactive provocations, hands on activities, and in-depth discussions designed to support them as they construct their own knowledge and explore ways to bring their vision to life in their classroom setting.

Objectives
At the end of the workshop, participants will:

  • Enhance their pedagogical skills through their reflective learning, experiences, group activities and reading that are part of this course
  • Develop an increased understanding of the philosophy and theories behind the Reggio Inspired philosophy: Environment as Third Teacher
  • Gain experience in using the Project Zero Protocol – What do see? What do you wonder? What do think?
  • Enhance their understanding of the desirable characteristics and qualities of learning environments for children of all diverse backgrounds and educational needs.
  • Explore a variety of provocations designed to stimulate new ways of creating meaningful experiences in their classrooms
  • Discover new ways to connect with their own unique passions and interests and find ways to bring new energy into their daily work
  • Inspire participants to create learning provocations that are inviting and engaging to all children in their program and reflective of their diverse backgrounds and educational needs.
  • Generate action plans for both continued learning and development of skills for improving the quality of the learning environments they create for children

Outline
Day 1:

  • Introduction of Presenter and Participants
  • Opening Reflection: What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada
  • Finding Inspiration from the Fundamental Values of the  Reggio Approach
  • Giving Children More Languages (a slideshow by Carter & Curtis)
  • Environments as Inspiration for Inquiry
  • Curriculum Framework
    • Intentionality and planning for the depth of experience
    • Curriculum Web Development
  • Share 2 new ideas you have for your learning environmentsWhite Paper Provocations
  • Video Reflection: Parent Teacher Conference
    • What is the image of the child? The role of the parent? How was documentation used to enhance the conference?
  • Journal of Provocations – What will You Create that will engage the children and teachers in your program?
  • Affirmations: What are you fully committed to?
  • Closing Reflection: The Dance
  • Evaluations and Wrap-Up

Day 2:

  • Opening Reflections: Raffi’s Covenant For Honoring Children
  • What can you do each day in your classrooms to show that you respect children’s sense of wonder and “innate intelligence”?
  • Bringing Joy and Wonder in our classrooms
    • What do we see? What do we wonder? What do we think?
  • Creating Engaging Provocations for Children:
    • What can we do every day to create a sense of magical wonder in our classrooms?
    • How can we draw upon the interests we observe in the children to create meaningful provocations?
  • Finding the Sparks!
    • Listening, Engaging and Observing
  • Bringing the Children’s Passions and Interest into classroom:
    • What interests, talents and passions do the children in your care have?
    • How can you bring their interests and passions to life in the program?
  • Video Clips and the Harvard Project Zero Protocol
    • What do we see? What do we wonder? What do we think?
  • Creating Classroom Provocations:
    • Think about the children’s passions and interest in your classroom
    • Use materials provided to design a unique provocation that will excite and engage children
  • Creating Action Plans – How will you continue to bring passion and wonder into your daily work in the classroom?
  • Wrap Up and Evaluation

Trainer’s Profile
Louise J. is a professor in the Bachelor of Child development degree program at Seneca College. Louise has a Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning with a research focus on teacher reflection and educational technologies and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Louise has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education for young children and was privileged to travel to Reggio Emilia on a study tour where this inspiration grew. In addition to her teaching, Louise has facilitated workshops and conferences with early childhood practitioners and elementary school teachers. Most recently, she has focused on professional learning centred on pedagogical documentation, emergent curriculum, Forest Schools, professional learning through social media, making learning visible and Reggio inspired practice.

Methodology
This workshop will include group discussions, reflective activities, visual presentations of documentation, structured and unstructured observations, and exploration of open-ended materials. Throughout this workshop series participants will assume an active role in constructing their own knowledge in relation to their own context.

Participants will be able to immediately put into practice a wide variety of exercises that will support them as they intentionally focus on bringing increased positive energy to all aspects of their professional development work. A current and comprehensive resource list will be provided to all participants to support their continued learning.

Target Audience
Teachers, early childhood educators and administrators of children aged 3 to 8 years.

Investment
AUD750.00/pax

Other Details
Duration: 2 days, 12 hours
Closing Date: 5 May 2015 30 May 15



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