DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU

Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2016 - 2017

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

In this module students are introduced to the concept of curriculum in ECCE and the extent to which this is influenced by beliefs about the nature of education in early childhood. The interrelationships between curriculum and pedagogy, in particular how ideas about play and early learning influence approaches to curriculum are an important focus. Students explore a range of ECE curricula and consider each in terms of beliefs, knowledge and values. Students reflect on how each of the curriculum approaches reviewed relate to Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss the concepts of curriculum and pedagogy in early childhood education
2. Identify and describe a number of different approaches to early childhood curricula
3. Differentiate between approaches to early childhood education on the basis of beliefs, knowledge, values and culture
4. Explain the strengths and challenges of a particular approach to curriculum
5. Explain the challenges of working with an emergent curriculum approach



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Assessment Feedback25No Description
Independent Study76No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

1
• Introduction to the idea of curriculum. The role of beliefs, knowledge and vision in providing a framework for evaluating approaches

2
• The HighScope Curriculum

3
• The Reggio Emilia approach

4
• Te Whariki

5
• Steiner Waldorf approach

6
• The Forest Schools approach

7
• The Story-telling curriculum approach of Paley

8
• How ideas about early learning and good quality education for young children influence provision of curricula and pedagogy

9
• A closer look at emergent curricula: Features and challenges

10
• Key issues in curriculum development for young children: Coherence between approaches and frameworks

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • Linda Miller (Editor), Linda Pound (Editor): 2010, Theories and Approaches to Learning in the Early Years, 1st, 11, SAGE Publications Ltd, London, 1849205787
  • edited by Carolyn Edwards, Lella Gandini, George Forman: 1998, The hundred languages of children, 2nd, 24, Ablex Pub. Corp., Greenwich, Conn., 156750311X
  • Maire Mhic Mhathuna (Editor), Mark Taylor (Editor): 2012, Early Childhood Education & Care, 1st, 30, Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin, 071715324X
Other Resources

26042, Publication, 0, Starting strong: Curricula and pedagogies in early childhood education and care: Five curriculum outlines, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/23/36/31672150.pdf, 26043, Website, 0, Highscope, www.highscope.org, 26044, Website, 0, Te Whariki, www.educate.ecegovt.nz/learning/curriculumandLearning/Tewhariki.aspx, 26045, Website, 0, Reggio Emilia, www.reggiochildren.ie, 26046, Website, 0, Reggio Emilia, www.reggioemiliaapproach.net/about.php#reading, 26047, Website, 0, Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association, www.steinerireland.org, 26048, Website, 0, Steiner/Waldorf International, www.iaswece.org,
Programme or List of Programmes
Archives: