I have fallen in love with the National Institute for Early Education research website at www.nieer.org. Over the past few weeks, I have found so much information regarding the current issues in early childhood education. This website has made me a more informed teacher and citizen of this great country. This week our assignment involves expanding our inquiry of our website.
1. Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead?
In the news and events section of NIEER's website, the latest headlines keep me up to date with current early childhood education issues. This section of the website lists newspaper and journal articles from around the country that are related to pre-school/early childhood education. I like being able to see what is happening in other states and having all of this information right at my fingertips is very convenient.
2. Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?
The state yearbook tab on the website offers a plethora of information about early childhood education. You can download the pdf file of the full 2009 report. You can also search by state and find facts and figures regarding early childhood education in that area. This is a wonderful resource if you are writing a research paper or if you are looking for specific numbers regarding EC. This is one of my favorite sections of www.nieer.org.
3. If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying. What new information is available?
I received the current edition of NIEER's e-newsletter two days ago in my inbox. This particular newsletter focused on "Closing the Vocabulary Gap in Chicago Pre-k." There was a link posted underneath this article : http://www.pbs.org/newshour/. I followed the link and watched the video on closing the vocabulary gap. On this website I also discovered an immense amount of teacher resources. I clicked on the teacher resources tab and found a website dedicated to providing educational news from around the globe. You can search for educational news in the U.S., around the globe, and also educational news regarding science, economics, health, and art/media. They also have a "Teacher Center" that has lesson plans available for download and corresponding video clips. If you want to check it out go to http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/.
4. Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?
Absolutley! The main focus of their newest newsletter is on the difference between students who attended preschool and those who didn't. It reiterates the fact that inequality in education is a global issue. I enjoyed this video as it opened my eyes to what some educators are doing to promote early childhood education.
5. What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?
I didn't per-say discover any new insights this week. I did however learn more about current pre-k programs and their efforts to make it available to more children. Educators are fighting the fight but not winning the battle.
By continuing to explore NIEER's website, my view on early childhood education becomes more set. Early childhood education should become public and be made available for all children. We are dis-servicing the children of America by not providing pre-school programs to all. The benefits of a quality early childhood education far outweigh the costs that be involved with making pre-school available to the masses. NIEER has done an excellent job of providing me with facts, figures, and resources to support my beliefs. I will continue to explore NIEER and gro as an educator as long as I am in a classroom. Thanks NIEER!
Resources:
www.nieer.org
www.pbs.org/newshour
National Institute for Early Education Research. (April 5,2011). Closing the vocabulary gap in chicago pre-k. National Institute for Early Education Research e-newsletter, 10(11). Retrieved from http:http://nieer.org/resources/newsletter/
Candace, I just love your blogs! They are so bright and full of pictures and information. ALSO, i didn't know that we could go to the site and search by state and find facts and figures regarding early childhood education in that area. That is an awesome fact that your brought to my attention, and I have no doubt that it will help us in this course! Thank you so much for your post!!!!! :0) ;0) :0)
ReplyDeleteCandace, the state yearbook feature is fabulous! What a handy resource to have right at your fingertips! I bookmarked the website. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis sound like an awesome site, I am going to take a look at the reports that you can search by state and Thanks for the tips on teacher resources link. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of information on this site!! I think that every child in America should have the opportunity to go to a preschool program. There are such limited spaces open for universal pre-k programs and Head Start. What about the Middle Class?????
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