Contemporary educational paradigms and pedagogies advocate theories of learning that conceptualise education as a process of participatory research, where children are active agents and teachers are facilitators and co-constructers of meaning. As such, it is critical that teachers are well versed in child-focused research. This unit investigates the ways teachers can engage in and critique ethical and political research with children birth - eight years. Underpinned by social justice principles of participation, inclusion and equality, this unit aims to provide students with knowledge about a) critical research theories; b) participatory methods, instruments and processes for researching with young children; c) ethical considerations in conducting research with diverse and/or marginalised children; d) research as a mechanism for social justice and social change in early childhood education, that is, the role of teachers as researchers in informing public policy, advocacy and activism; and e) research as an evaluative toolkit for reflection, accountability, and sustainable early childhood teaching.
Unit details and rules
Academic unit | Education |
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Credit points | 6 |
Prerequisites
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48 credit points |
Corequisites
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None |
Prohibitions
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None |
Assumed knowledge
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None |
Available to study abroad and exchange students | Yes |
Teaching staff
Coordinator | Valerie Harwood, valerie.harwood@sydney.edu.au |
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Lecturer(s) | Olivia Karaolis, olivia.karaolis@sydney.edu.au |
Valerie Harwood, valerie.harwood@sydney.edu.au |