Saturday, June 8, 2013

Research Around the World

ECDVU ( Early Childhood Development Virtual University) Sub-Saharan Africa website
 
ECDVU is a virtual university dedicated to educating those wanting to pursue higher education and degrees in early childhood development in Africa.  The ECDVU program was founded and is directed by Dr. Alan Pence, UNESCO Chair in Early Childhood Education, Care and Development; Professor, School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada (ECDVU, 2012).  By creating this virtual university in conjunction with the University of Victoria, there is a worldwide awareness being brought to early childhood services and education to the nation of Africa.  The knowledge shared by early childhood professionals from Africa and worldwide benefits the early childhood programs and services in Africa by providing suggestions and research on how to improve current and/or developing programs in early childhood.  The link to the major projects and final theses provides the reader with research done by these professionals in Africa while they pursued their higher education.
 
Some international research topics that I found from this site were:
  • Improving the quality of childcare.
  • Involving fathers in early childhood care and development.
  • Effective school and parent collaboration
  • Early childhood curriculum development
  • Collaborating early childhood programs with the community.
  • Coordination and supervision of early childhood education
It took me awhile to become familiar with this site and I almost gave up and caved to choosing another option for my blog entry.  But stubborn and persistent as I am, I was determined to better understand the website so I found the actual "home" part of the website and was able to gain more information and understand better.  It is refreshing to me how much Africa is wanting to improve their early childhood programs and provide the best services to their young children and families.  I was intrigued by the research topics above at how similar they are to topics that are important to my colleagues and I in the United States.  The fact that we share the same concerns about young children can benefit us worldwide by sharing our ideas, research and accomplishments.

I am looking forward to continuing to view this site and read into some of the research projects from the early childhood professionals in Africa to gain a better sense of what is going on in the field in their country but also to gain ideas and insight to use in my own classroom.

References
 
ECDVU Sub-Saharan Africa website (2012).  Mission statement.  Retrieved
         from http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php
ECDVU Sub-Saharan Africa website (2008).  Final major projects and
         theses.  Retrieved from http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php
 

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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 8, 2013 at 9:03 PM

    Hi Nicholette. I like your very touching statement in your blog, “we share the same concerns about young children can benefit us worldwide by sharing our ideas, research and accomplishments.” I read your website and the ECDVU’s child and social development objectives - - it employs a number of approaches to post-secondary education that are ‘non-traditional’ in nature. What caught my attention is that the ECDVU recognizes the strengths and expertise that exist locally and regionally; incorporating these ‘voices’ and experiences into the learning process; promoting sustainable, interactive networks that reach rural as well as urban populations; and using computer technology as a means for developing strong information and communication systems within Africa. Fantastic choice, Nicholette…

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  2. AnonymousJune 10, 2013 at 12:55 AM

    I am also glad to hear that they are very focused on changing the outcome of their education system. I love how they want to collaborate with school, parents and the community. I wish that everyone was able to do this! I think that it brings everyone together and makes a successful environment for all children!

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