Naslov
Outside the Box: Change – various forms of connecting practitioners in the process of intensive kindergarten development

Autori
Slunjski, Edita

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Skup
International Science and Technology Conference, ISTEC, 2017

Mjesto i datum
Cambridge (MA), Sjedinjene Američke Države, 17.07.2017. - 19.07.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Action research, Facebook group, Kindergarten, Outside the box

Sažetak
This article describes the characteristics of the traditional, outdated educational practice in the early education institution followed by the ways in which a good quality, modern practice can evolve, as well as the achievements accomplished in some of our institutions. These achievements, as well as the processes that lie within them, are termed Outside the box. It is emphasized how the quality of the education development in an early and preschool institution is more concerned with the process than the result (especially not the permanent result), that is, it presents a developmental rather than a static category. In this sense, action research is highlighted as a particularly valuable “tool” for the development of educational practices and curriculum of early education. Action research enables the creation of a community of critical, self-reflective actors who can change the practice on a much wider scale then the individual, and gradually create a new, more human, and more democratic educational policy. The ultimate consequences of action research should be viewed in a much broader context than merely as a means of improving educational practice of certain institutions, that is, as creating a professional learning community whose participants connect and support each other in a continuous learning and professional development by strengthening their autonomy and emancipation. There is a description of various forms of connecting practitioners who show interest and motivation for the introduction of new forms of work in order to provide each other with professional and emotional support. The Facebook group Outside the Box is mentioned as a form of linking practitioners for the purpose of discussion and exchange of professional experience and expertise, to which the next subchapter is devoted. This Facebook group was created with the intention of bringing together practitioners involved in the process of intensive kindergarten development through action research so as to enable an exchange of important information, research experiences, and insights which they gained in the process of developing practices. However, a growing number of interested practitioners from many different kindergartens gradually joined this group reaching a total number of 4, 200 practitioners from different Croatian cities, as well as from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, the USA, Finland, Norway, and Australia.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Pedagogija

POVEZANOST RADA