WELCOME TO CE 100 Preparing for a Career in Early Childhood Development Unit 6 Class will start at the top of the hour! Please turn the volume up on your computer speakers to access the audio feature of this seminar.

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Unit 6 Question of Week How do we gain a better understanding of issues as they relate to early childhood education and stay up to date on trends?

Answer: By using the resources of professional organizations. //Does anyone know an example of a professional organization in our field?

//What is meant by the term professional organization?

Answer: An organization that supports the work of a particular group of professionals.

Outcomes After completing this unit, you will be able to:   Identify professional organizations within the field of early childhood education Identify the importance of professional organizations within the field Review the academic strategies and resources explored throughout the course

Exploring Professional Organizations  Zero to Three is a national nonprofit, multidisciplinary organization that supports the healthy development and well-being of infants, toddlers, and their families.  The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) is an organization that unites a global community of educators and advocates whom share knowledge, experience, and perspectives in order to exchange information, explore innovation and advocate for children.  The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has a mission that was written to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights, and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources. http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc //What is one benefit provided by NAEYC? What is one goal of this organization?

Benefits of Joining Professional Organizations Attend training and conferences Access to books and publications Network with others in the field Journals and other publications Opportunities for leadership Remain current; keep abreast of trends (student membership rates)

Benefits of Joining NAEYC http://www.naeyc.org/membership/benefits //Come back to share two benefits of joining this organization.

Benefit-- Conferences National Head Start Association Explore the National Head Start Conference to be held in April. Come back to share a brief description of the conference. http://www.nhsa.org/events Head Start conferences

Locate a professional organization and write about its benefits. Unit 6 Discussion Board Locate a professional organization and write about its benefits. Exploring Professional Organizations Consider the roles and responsibilities associated with the careers and job positions of an early childhood development professional and conduct a website search to find a corresponding professional organization for a career of your choice in the field. You may also select one of the professional organizations from the unit readings to visit. Add the link to that organization in your response (copy and paste the website address) Explain how this organization could be useful to you as you pursue both an education and a career in the field of early childhood development. How will does this organization help to support the responsibilities of a professional and fulfill the standards explored in the unit readings? (links found in Unit 6 Reading AND Unit 7 Learning Activities) http://www.naeyc.org/links

Also in Unit 6 Reading— How to use Critical Thinking as a Tool //What is Critical Thinking? //How do you think Critical thinking can support Your work as an online student?

Critical Thinking is… Critical thinking is "is skillful and responsible thinking in which you study the problem from all angles, and then exercise your best judgment to draw conclusions.” (http://www.otal.umd.edu/amst/msf01/critthink.htm) When you think critically, you are: Evaluating all the information you have available Deciding what is true or not true Making your own decisions about what you believe. In order to think critically, you must: Have the ability to use logic and reason. Be able to evaluate whether the information you receive is based on fact or opinion.

Critical Thinking and the Internet //Why is caution necessary when we do research on the internet?

Ask Yourself— 1. Who is the author? What are his qualifications? 2. Who is the sponsor of the website? (reputable?) 3. What audience is the website designed for? 4. Is the website current? When was it written? 5. Is the information factual? (not someone’s opinion) Check the “About Us” tab

“Reading furnishes the mind only with material of knowledge “Reading furnishes the mind only with material of knowledge. It is thinking that makes what we read ours.” C.S. Lewis //What is meant by this quote?

How do we pull “meaning’ from text? I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.

Critical Thinking and Reading A key way to support your online work and your work as a student is by-- Active reading //What is meant by active reading?

Taking Steps to Read Actively Prepare to read  How does this information relate to your life?  How can this information be useful to you?  Be familiar with the material that you are about to read Active reading  Take notes as you are reading  Highlight the most important material  As you read, ask yourself questions to determine your comprehension of the material. Interpret  Determine the purpose for which the material is being written Evaluate  Is this information credible?  Did the information come from a reputable source?  Is there anyone to verify the information?

Compare  How do the ideas of this author compare with similar material written by other authors? Review  Review the material  Review the concepts and think about the most important points  Pay particular attention to those points that you made an effort to highlight the first time through Organize  How does all of this information fit together?  What is the big picture?  Outline the material

//What is one key way you have learned tonight that will help you become a more active reader?

Any questions at all? Thanks for attending! ~Prof. Beth

References Follari, L. (2010). Foundations and best practices in early childhood education: History, theories, and approaches to learning. Boston: Pearson. Jupiter Images Corporation, (2010). Clipart.com. Retrieved May 10, 2010 from http://www.clipart.com