Engaging Children's Minds Project
Contents
About the Institute
In the Engaging Children's Minds institute educators acquire a thorough understanding of the Project Approach and learn how to incorporate it into their own teaching plans through a simulation of project work for Early Childhood and primary school children. The institutes are specially designed for early childhood teachers and directors, primary teachers, administrators and professionals in tertiary education and those involved in teacher education.
The Project Approach to early childhood education involves young children in investigations of significant events and phenomena in their own environments in ways that strengthen their intellectual dispositions and provide contexts for applying their developing social, literacy, and numeric skills. In the course of their studies, children do field work, develop personal interests in different aspects of the topic and pursue a variety of investigations. The institutes are designed to introduce participants to the three phases of the Project Approach and to demonstrate how these phases can be implemented in the classroom. The institute program includes lectures, audiovisual presentations, group discussions, and practical fieldwork, providing a complete simulation of project work, as well as other classroom activities. Optional evening lectures on related topics are also offered.
For more information about the Project Approach see the following web site:
http://www.projectapproach.org
Graduate Credit Option
Participants may earn partial unit credit through the University of New England. Please contact Dr Margaret Brooks for more information.
To earn unit credit, students must implement a project with a group of children; submit a report that includes a description of the context in which the project was done; provide the rationale for selecting the topic; write a brief description of Phase I, Phase II and Phase III activities; and conduct an evaluation of the project from the point of view of the children, others involved and the investigator. The report will be submitted to Dr. Margaret Brooks for evaluation. Those who would like to earn unit credits should indicate their interest on the registration form.
Conference Fees
To be announced ...
Accommodation
Mary White College is located in the heart of the University of New England campus in quiet and pleasant surroundings. It offers comfort and convenience, being only a short walk to lecture theatres, banking, shopping and restaurants. The rooms are comfortable and regularly serviced. The dining hall is spacious and provides an excellent menu and a warm and friendly atmosphere.
For more information about the University of New England visit its website:
http://www.une.edu.au
Accommodation will be booked for the nights of the Institute. Extra nights may be arranged with enough notice. Please let us know if you have any special requirements or dietary considerations.
Schedule
To be announced ...
Contact Information
Please direct questions about conference procedures or arrangements to:
Dr Margaret Brooks,
Early Childhood Education,
Faculty of Education, Health, and Professional Studies,
University of New England,
NSW, 2351
Tel: (02) 6773 2654
Email: mbrooks3@une.edu.au