Course Syllabus

Summer 2024 | EDU-1030-VO02 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Debra Gass
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

Course Description

This course is an overview of early childhood education and the ways in which early childhood experiences can enhance the development of the whole child. Students examine the provision of early education and services for children from conception to age eight. Topics include child development, national and state standards, curriculum development, early intervention, regulation, and career exploration.

Essential Objectives

1. Discuss the cultural, historical, and philosophical evolution of early childhood education.
2. Explore early education programs in the context of family and community relationships, including the need for cultural competence when supporting and collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
3. Understand the theories of child development and how they relate to the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP).
4. Discuss national and state standards for the provision of education to young children and how early childhood education programs meet these standards (VELS & NAEYC for children and professionals).
5. Review the elements of early childhood education curricula, the theoretical framework for different approaches to what is taught, and the pedagogy of inclusion and universal design.
6. Analyze evidence-based research on effective models of early education.
7. Examine the early intervention system and the provision of services to support the development of children with diverse abilities and/or affected by trauma.
8. Discuss the regulation of programs, staff, and facilities to ensure health and safety, including the role of the state in policy development and regulation enforcement.
9. Explore careers in the field of early childhood education, the NAEYC Code of Conduct, and dispositions required for work in the field.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

EDU-1030-VO02 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

Instructor will present information and guidance to stimulate an online learning classroom in Canvas, created by textbook reading and written assignments, student research, field observations and interviews, responses to journal articles/documentaries/Ted Talks, etc., and personal/professional written reflections. Students will build their learning community by engaging in weekly online classroom posts, discussion forums and assignments and conducting field interviews as active contributors. No quizzes nor tests. All "written" assignments shall be submitted in Canvas in Microsoft Word using APA formatting when required. Hard copy work will not be accepted.

Students must have access to the required textbook for this course: Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education Ninth Edition (Morrison, Woika & Breffni) ISBN9780135240519. Each week students are expected to read chapters of the text in order to be participate fully in the related assignment discussions and posts. The chapter readings can be up to 50 pages.

Class weeks begin on Tuesday and end the following Monday. Each week students are expected to post their initial work or reflections of at least 100 words in the Canvas Discussion Assignments by Thursday and respond to at least two fellow classmates' posts with critical feedback, at least 50 words per response, by Sunday evenings no later than 11:00 pm.Substantive responses are expected and defined in the Canvas classroom. Additional Assignments may also be required.

Students must have reliable access to a computer, be comfortable with and ready to learn more about computer and technology use and be able to navigate the internet in order to participate in this class. Proficiency in the use of Canvas classroom platform is recommended.

Students will be expected to conduct one field interview with a director of an early childhood program in their community.

Evaluation Criteria

72 points online classroom participation (15 Discussion Post assignments x ): 3 per weekly post and 3 per required number of weekly discussion responses. Late posts will earn 0 points. All posts must be substantive to earn full credit.

13 points: Mid-term Research Essay

15 points: Final Project PowerPoint Presentation

Late assignment submissions (up to one week) will automatically drop one letter grade. Anything submitted after one week of the due date will receive a zero score. No points for late Discussion Post submissions.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity