KOULU Diploma Programme in Early Childhood Education

KOULU Diploma Programme in Early Childhood Education

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OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME 4 months that consists of:  4 full days or 5 days of intensive studies (3 full days, and 2 half days)  15 weeks’ online studies (time requirement apr. 10 hours/week)  18 March – 18 July 2017

Format of the studies Blended learning facilitated by Finnish education experts comprising of:  contact lessons and seminars  virtual lessons  webinars  collaborative online work  individual tasks  peer mentoring  coaching and facilitation by teacher trainers

Objective The programme centres on three educational goals that underline the work of any Early Childhood Educator:   

Promotion of personal well-being Reinforcement of considerate behaviour and action towards others Gradual build-up of autonomy.

At the end of this programme, the participants understand the intrinsic values of ECE in underlining the value of fostering childhood. This helps the children to develop holistically as human beings.

Pedagogical Approach to Studies The pedagogical studies use an inquiry based learning approach throughout the studies. The studies are also highly based on a peer-to-peer mentoring basis. The students form peer groups to share their ideas, work jointly on projects and support each other’s personal development in the teaching profession.

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Structure of Studies

The studies are carried out in a blended learning format, which combines contact days, online studies, virtual meetings, lessons and coaching sessions. All modules start with either a contact or online interactive session, where the learning objectives are discussed and clarified. In these sessions the subject specific experts introduce the topic, related theories and practices related to the case. The core of the learning takes place at the Claned learning platform. On the platform teacher students receive multimedia materials to study and reflect upon (reading materials, presentations, videos, audiopod etc). The platform allows the participants to pinpoint any part of the materials for further discussion either on the platform or by directly contacting the expert in charge of the particular material. This enables the participants to get personal guidance faster than in traditional studies; the platform merges the best elements of reaching out to the teacher trainer to get personal guidance but being able to do so at the moment of studying without having to wait for the next contact session and thus risking a smooth advancement in the studies.

PRE-ASSIGNMENT The participants will be required to familiarise themselves with selected reading materials and answer a related questionnaire prior to training. The materials are sent to the participants 1 week before the programme begins. In addition, the participants will be asked to complete a survey measuring their pedagogical skills and familiarity with various educational approaches. This survey acts as a tool for the Finnish experts in tailoring the training contents but also serves as a reference point to later measure the impact of the training programme.


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INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAMME The programme begins with a 5-day intensive workshop that introduces the participants to the topics and working methods of the Diploma Programme.

STRUCTURE OF THE WEEK: Day 1:   

Introduction to the training programme, learning objectives, working methods and tools Going through the pre-assignment via moderated discussion led by an expert The online learning environment, online working guidelines, timelines, approaches, tasks and responsibilities

Day 2:   

Key differences between traditional and modern education Implementation of Early Childhood Education The role of educators in ECE

Day 3:  

Fostering the wellbeing of children Care, education and teaching, an integrated whole

Day 4:  

The ECE learning environment Joy of learning and how to foster a playful learning environment

Day 5:  

Personal Development Plans, Feedback and questions Build-up of the participants’ personal learning environments

ONLINE LEARNING The online learning part of the studies is constructed around modules with themes that are addressed for a certain amount of time. Every module starts with an either contact of virtual session (interactive webinar) with the teacher trainer presenting the topic, upcoming tasks, working methods etc. The students will have individual and group work to complete during each module. During their studies, they can contact the teacher trainer at any given moment to receive support. Also, peermentoring practices that are supported in the programme guide the participants towards forming learning groups where the topics of the programme can be discussed and argued. The teacher trainers contribute in these discussions and support the knowledge building taking place in the online environment.


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MODULE: Fostering Learning in Children, 1st April 2017-2nd May 2017 Guiding themes of the module:  Creating meaningful experiences  The importance of play in education  Physical Activities as a learning tool  Fostering creativity in children with artistic experiences  Explore and learn, experimenting, trial and error Preliminary schedule:  1st April 2017: Webinar 1 and setting the scene for part 1 of module 2 weeks  15 April 2017: Online virtual session (participants and facilitators) 10 days  29 April 2017: Webinar 2 and setting the scene for part 2 of online module  Materials and tasks (individual or group tasks given to participants 1st April)  Work on the online platform (1st April– 2nd May)  Reflectory session on progress with all participants (19 April 2017)  Individual and group online sessions with facilitators upon needs  Closing online sessions with reflection and feedback (2nd May 2017) MODULE: Orientations in ECE, 5 May 2017-2 June 2017 Guiding themes of the module:  Mathematical orientation  Natural sciences orientation  Language orientation  Aesthetic orientation Preliminary schedule:  5 May 2017: Webinar, setting the scene to investigation of different orientations  Week 1: Mathematical orientation: Virtual sessions and individual / group tasks*  Week 2: Natural sciences orientation, Virtual sessions and individual / group tasks*  Week 3: Language orientation, Virtual sessions and individual / group tasks*  Week 4: Aesthetic orientation, Virtual sessions and individual / group tasks*  Closing online sessions with reflection and feedback (2 June 2017) *the tasks of the module relate to application of the orientations into one’s own work with practical examples to be shared with all participants to support peer-mentoring. MODULE: Working with the larger community towards optimal learning results, 5 June 2017-23 June 2017 Guiding themes of the module:  Cooperation and communication with parents  Children in need of support and needs assessments  Principles of providing support to children  Children with different language and culture backgrounds Preliminary schedule:  5 June 2017: Webinar, setting the scene to the module www.koulugroup.com © KOULU Education Group Ltd

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    

Participants working on practical approaches on student support under facilitation and support from experts Materials and tasks (individual or group tasks given to participants 5 June 2017) Reflectory session 14 June 2017 Individual and group online sessions with facilitators upon needs Closing online sessions with reflection and feedback (23 June 2017)

MODULE: Language immersion in ECE, 26 June-5 July 2017 Guiding themes of the module:  Language immersion  Using alternative pedagogy in education philosophy with children. Preliminary schedule:  3 May 2017: Webinar, setting the scene to the module  Participants working on practical approaches on student support under facilitation and support from experts  Materials and tasks (individual or group tasks given to participants 26 June 2017)  Individual and group online sessions with facilitators upon needs  Closing online sessions with reflection and feedback (5 July 2017) MODULE: Planning and designing ECE, 6 July-17 July 2017 Guiding themes of the module:  Drawing up a local ECE curriculum  Contents of the local ECE curriculum  Curriculum as part of communal quality improvement efforts Preliminary schedule:  6 July 2017: Webinar, setting the scene to the module  Participants studying their local curriculums, working in implementation plan on set section and sharing results with peers.  Materials and tasks (individual or group tasks given to participants 6 July 2017)  Individual and group online sessions with facilitators upon needs  Closing session with reflection and feedback (18 July 2017)

FINISHING THE PROGRAMME - 18 JULY 2017 The programme finishes with a joint contact day. During that day the participants are asked to participate in a reflective discussion guided by a Finnish expert. In that discussion, the participants get to analyse their personal learning paths and developments during the training as well as formally presenting the tools, methods and approaches that they can start to implement into their own work. Furthermore, they also reflect on their deeper views on the role of teaching and the teaching profession and reflect on the metacognitive changes in their perceptions. All participants receive a Diploma in the programme that is provided to them after successful completion of the training.


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Tel: +358 405 088 577

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Price The price of the programme is 1550 EUR per participant for a group of 16 people, and 995 EUR per participant for a group of 25 people. The price includes the whole programme, learning materials, lunches and snacks during contact days as well as the use of the Claned learning platform. Payment of the programme can be done via bank transfer, credit card or PayPal, payment in instalments is possible. The exact details will be received upon the registration.

Location The intensive study period in Karachi takes place at the premises of our collaboration partner, Veritas Learning Circle, 38-II PECHS Block 6, Karachi, +92-321 802270. The location for the intensive study period in Islamabad is to be confirmed.

The training location in Islamabad is at Headstart Kuri Campus, Najeeb Murtaza Road, Off Park Rd, near CDA/Park Enclave, P.O. BOX 1531, Kuri Islamabad 44000.


[email protected]

Tel: +358 405 088 577