Category Archives: Development tasks

Funding for Pedagogical documentation

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katiKati Rintakorpi has received a grant from the Ebeneser-foundation (Siiri Valli’s grant) for 8000 euro for the finishing touches of her dissertation. Kati studies the benefits and challenges of pedagogical documentation in early years. Her last dissertation article is based on Orientation project data. How is pedagogical documentation connected with the everyday activities of the children? What are the connections to the learning environment? What kind of skills and tendencies does pedagogical documentation relate to? Congratulations to Kati!

The 2015 Finnish data collection succesful

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The Finnish data collection for 2015 ended at 28 May. The data consists of observations, child evaluations, gross motor tests, language skills tests, mathematics skills tests, creativity tests, physical activity measurement with activity sensors, learning environment evaluations and daycare center director evaluations. Data input and merging is underway. The data is huge, but of good quality. For example, the data includes 71 319 observations in 13 categories, which means that there are 927 147 systematically sampled observations of children’s activity in Finnish daycare from January to May 2015. The feedback for the educators, municipalities and directors starts at 17 August 2015.

The New Taipei City grant

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ntc
The New Taipei City teachers were introduced to Orientation project on 23th December. The City decided to grant our project. This is very good news. We will get a good sample and we can provide the teachers feedback on their work. We hope we can provide Taiwanese early childhdood teachers a wholesome picture of the path to well-being for young children.

Multicultural children and families

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The importance of multicultural children and families in early childhood education is growing as the culture is becoming more global. Outi Arvola is making her doctoral thesis on the subject at the University of Turku, Finland. She is using the project data in her thesis. We will also use the project results for improving the conditions for the multicultural children in early childhood.  Outi Arvola is interested in discussing the topic and the possibilities of international cooperation. Outi’ email address is outi.arvola@turkuamk.fi. Do not hesitate to contact her if you wonder about the possible mutual interests.

Singapore joins in Orientation project

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Singapore is, in spite of its small size, a giant in innovation and learning. Right now Singapore is committed to raise the quality of ECEC. We will have the same data collection in three countries in 2015: Finland, Taiwan and Singapore. From September to December 2014 there will be 30 observers from Singapore who will be trained to observe children’s activities, involvement and orientations. The observations will be merged with information about children’s skills and learning environment. Based on the research results we will do development tasks and seek concrete solutions for a better ECEC. An important partner in the start-up of the collaboration has been the people at SPARK and Academy of Principals.

Nordic Orientation in ECEC?

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The third Nordic ECEC conference “Approaches in Nordic ECEC research: Current research and new perspectives”
was held in Oslo 11-12 November 2013.  Orientation project style of combining research and practical development was described in an invited presentation Day care based on developmental feedback for the staff. The article based on the presentation has just been published at the conference webcite. Futhermore, please check out the proposal for Nordic ECEC comparison in 2015!

 

Nordic comparison in 2015?

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At the 3rd ECEC Conference in Oslo 11 and 12 November we had a workshop on implementing Orientation project research tools on the Nordic level. We concentrated on questions:

  • How to get more resources for professional development?•
  • How to empower educators to develop their work?
  • What are the possibilities for a shared comparative research across Nordic
    countries?

The need for a research to find out what really happens in ECEC in Nordic countries was clear to all participants. We are seeking for funding possibilities from the Nordic Council. The Orientation project tools were introduced in a presentation. The slides can be retrieved here (children’s pictures omitted). Thank you for the interest and lets hope we can get good aspirations into concrete actions.

Orientation project tools applied in Turku

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ToLiVa- project (Physical activity culture in Early Childhood Education) has been granted 50000 euros for applying the tools of Orientation project to the mentoring of physical activity development. The project is directed by Turku University of Applied sciences and the partners include Turku Art Academy, the city of Turku, LiikU ry, Valo ry and others. The project will be applied in the eastern Turku day care centers, with childminders and municipal playgrounds.