Level 1 is designed to encourage interaction among participants through online dialogue and projects that include:
- the exploration of materials
- observation and analysis of video footage of children at play
- documentation panel making
- discussion of the guiding principles of Reggio inspired practice & readings related to its theoretical underpinnings
Materials Exploration: Level 1 2002
Level 1 Course Objectives:
1) Students will learn the elements of a Reggio inspired practice.
2) Students will learn to use documentation to develop constructivist curriculum extensions centered on their own experiential encounters with creative arts materials.
3) Through practical experience students will all have the opportunity of setting up an environment that provokes the learning and inquiry of peers.
4) Through the practical experience of observing a wide range of video footage students will effectively analyze children’s play and develop constructivist curriculum extensions.
5) Through evening readings and group discussions students will gain a knowledge base of the “constructivist” theories that are central to a Reggio inspired negotiated curriculum.
6) Many experiential hours with materials will provide students with first hand knowledge of the role that materials and environment play in the early childhood classroom.
7) Students will develop competence in the creation of a documentation panel.
8) Throughout, dialogues will incorporate the principles of constructivist theorists that include Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, Mead, and others. The principles of disequilibrium, co-construction, negotiation, transformation, and scaffolding will be discussed thoroughly. Level 1 Course Evaluation Methods:
Assessment will be a combination of self-reflection and facilitator’s reflection on:
Participation in discussion & activities during the seminar week. During the seminar week the group will establish goals and criteria for learning and self-evaluation that they will continue to refine individually (with the guidance of the instructor) and as a group.
Students are intrigued with the materials at the light table that include tissue paper, droppers, water, bubble wrap, plastic dishes. and beads. They work collaboratively to develop a harmonious construction.
These images are downloaded from video footage from Level 1 2002
