Latest news with #educators
The Verge
9 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The Verge
'Honestly, if we ejected all the genAI tools into the sun, I would be quite pleased.'
I think education is a perfect microcosm of the whole AI debate. There are some interesting and cool things to do with AI in the classroom! It might also be rotting kids' brains! But all the responses 404 Media compiled from educators make one thing particularly clear: technology is changing really fast, and we haven't had nearly enough time to figure out how to react. I really feel for these teachers.
Geek Girl Authority
3 days ago
- Health
- Geek Girl Authority
The Path to Certification: How a Degree in Early Childhood Education Prepares You for Teaching
Embarking on a career in early childhood education is a commitment to shaping young minds during their most formative years. A degree in this vital field provides aspiring educators with the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to support children's learning and development effectively. If you dream of making a difference in the educational journeys of young children, a solid academic foundation is your first step. Keep reading to explore how a degree lays the groundwork for certification and a successful teaching career. Understanding the Core Components of an Early Childhood Education Degree A degree in childhood education is multi-faceted, focusing on the unique learning needs of children from infancy to primary school age. The curriculum for this online program is designed to cover various aspects of teaching, including curriculum development, educational theory, and instructional strategies. Students in the field of early childhood education learn to craft age-appropriate lessons that engage young learners and promote intellectual growth. Another essential component is the emphasis on creating inclusive learning environments. Future educators are trained to recognize and accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring that every child has access to quality education. This often includes specialized instruction in working with children who have special needs or come from different cultural backgrounds. Assessment strategies also form a critical part of the degree program. Prospective teachers must learn to evaluate children's progress effectively, which involves understanding developmental milestones and implementing various assessment tools. Building a Foundation for Effective Classroom Management A well-managed classroom sets the stage for learning and development. Degree programs in early childhood education spend considerable time honing classroom management skills. Educators learn to create structured yet flexible environments that support children's natural curiosity and engagement. Effective communication is vital to managing a classroom. Future teachers are taught how to convey expectations clearly and listen to children's feedback. They learn to foster a respectful classroom culture where each child feels heard and valued, which in turn reduces behavioral issues and promotes harmony. Problem-solving is another critical aspect of classroom management. Educators face a myriad of challenges on a daily basis, from resolving conflicts among children to adapting lesson plans on the fly. A degree in early childhood education provides the strategies necessary to navigate these issues with grace and expertise. Integrating Developmental Psychology Into Early Childhood Teaching Methods A deep understanding of developmental psychology is essential for early childhood educators. It allows them to create age-appropriate learning experiences that align with children's cognitive, social, and emotional development stages. Degree programs delve into child development theories, shedding light on how children think, feel, and interact with the world around them. Incorporating this knowledge, future teachers are better equipped to recognize typical and atypical developmental patterns. This awareness is crucial for early intervention and support, especially in identifying children who may need additional resources. Educators learn to work closely with parents and specialists to provide holistic support to each child. Harnessing the Power of Play: Strategies for Active Learning Play is the language of childhood, and it is through play that children explore, experiment, and learn. Degrees in early childhood education emphasize the importance of play in promoting active learning. Future educators discover how to design play-based activities that are both enjoyable and educational. Such programs advocate for a balanced approach to instruction that integrates direct teaching with ample opportunities for child-directed play. By observing children in play, educators can gain insights into their interests and learning styles, using these observations to inform their teaching practices. Navigating the Certification Process: Steps After Your Degree Completion After completing a program in early childhood education, the journey to becoming a certified educator begins. The certification process typically requires passing a series of exams that assess teaching knowledge and competency. These tests ensure that educators are prepared to meet the demands of the classroom and provide quality education. Aspiring teachers must also complete a number of supervised teaching hours in a classroom setting. This real-world experience is invaluable in demonstrating one's ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. It is also an opportunity to refine teaching techniques under the guidance of experienced educators. In many regions, certification also involves a background check and continuing education requirements. These steps are put in place to protect the welfare of children and uphold the professional standards of the teaching community. Educators are expected to engage in lifelong learning to stay abreast of best practices and emerging educational research. Altogether, an early childhood education degree is a transformative stage in preparing educators to guide and inspire children during their critical early years. Overall, it is a journey that fulfills a noble purpose: molding the minds and hearts of our youngest generation. RELATED: Alexander Skarsgård Goes Rogue in Murderbot Trailer
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Schools blame tariffs for rising costs and supply woes
School districts across the country are grappling with how to navigate President Donald Trump's tariffs, which have led to higher costs for everything from Chromebook parts to juice boxes — leaving educators worried that supply shortages may affect safety and achievement. The price hikes and uncertainty have many schools wrangling with tough questions: whether to postpone replacing laptops, how to meet federal school meal nutrition regulations with current funding and whether to cut staff in the face of rising costs.
ABC News
22-05-2025
- ABC News
Former Affinity Education workers describe a 'toxic culture' with claims the childcare giant mishandled serious incidents in Canberra
Former childcare educators have revealed a serious incident in which a baby rolled off a change table at a Canberra childcare centre. The staff told the ABC the incident happened at a centre run by Affinity Education in November 2023. They join a growing chorus of former Affinity Education workers who are painting a picture of what went on inside the industry giant's centres. In responding to the incident, educators administered first aid to the eight-month-old, and the baby's parents took them to a hospital emergency department, and the next day, to a doctor. Affinity said it reported the incident to the ACT childcare regulator, conducted an internal investigation, terminated the responsible educator's employment, and provided counselling and training to affected staff. In a statement to the ABC, Affinity said it followed up with the baby's parents who did not report serious injuries. But educators who spoke to the ABC described it as "really horrific" and said they were left in the dark about how their employer had handled the fallout. "Their biggest concern was that they had no idea where to go from there, and they obviously didn't want anything like that to happen again," the educator said, speaking to the ABC anonymously. "The educators were never followed up with, no one was ever spoken to, it kind of just … nothing happened," they recalled. According to Affinity, the regulator, Childcare Education and Care Assurance (CECA), never followed up with any regulatory notice. CECA has been contacted for comment. Affinity Education is in the spotlight after a disturbing video was made public last week of a worker at its South Strathfield centre repeatedly slapping a child across the face. The for-profit company is one of the country's biggest childcare providers, operating 250 centres, including Papilio, Milestones and Kids Academy. Recent reporting on the company has prompted educators to come forward to the ABC. They have now left the industry but they want to remain anonymous. Another case, documented in an incident report seen by the ABC, describes how an educator "dragged/directed the child into the dining room and locked the door behind him". Affinity said the child was left alone for "approximately 15 seconds" and the educator's employment was terminated with the matter reported to the regulator and the child's family informed. "The department investigated the matter and Affinity did not receive any regulatory notifications as a result of the incident," an Affinity spokesperson said. But CECA said it never received a report. More recently, a 17-month-old boy suffered a spiral fracture after attending an Affinity-run centre in the ACT — an injury that can be caused by forceful twisting, which can snap the bone. Affinity said it notified the department and launched an investigation, but again, CECA did not enforce any regulatory notices or raise any concerns. CECA said it could not disclose information about the case. Do you know more about this story? Email CECA has confirmed that since the start of 2024, it took action against one Affinity-run centre in the ACT for failing to notify the regulator about a notifiable issue. Even when proper processes were followed, educators said parents remained in the dark about serious safety breaches. A centre was handed a show cause notice in February 2023 for failing to adequately supervise a trio of three-year-old children for six minutes. Affinity said its educators were counselled and an internal investigation resulted in a corrective training plan and revised supervision plan. But parents at the centre were never told. In a statement, Affinity said it took concerns from families seriously. "Detailed information about individual centre compliance histories, including any regulatory actions or notices, is maintained at centre level and is available to families," the company said in a statement. Since the start of 2024, CECA received 49 notifications of incidents or complaints about Affinity-run centres in the ACT. They ranged in seriousness from child illness, injury, and educator handling of children, to meeting children's medical and toileting needs, educator qualification and staffing concerns. Affinity said it takes breaches of its standards extremely seriously and has strict policies that require immediate action, and emphasises a culture of self-reporting. It requires logging incidents internally within 12 hours, mandatory reporting to authorities within 24 hours, contacting a child's families, standing down or terminating staff and conducting a full investigation with relevant authorities. Part of the reason some safety breaches went unreported, the educators said, was because some staff did not realise their legal obligations to do so. "These educators needed further training, and they needed to be supported and developed," said one educator, who held a leadership position at an Affinity centre. Affinity said that "where concerns are identified, staff may be placed on a formal performance improvement plan". "We have robust performance management and child safety protocols," the spokesperson said. But the educator said they had been "met with silence" when they appealed for help for under-performing staff. "So, all you would be doing is moving the issue to another service." Affinity denied that, saying it was not its practice to reassign employees who have failed to meet standards. "Particularly in matters relating to child safety, wellbeing, or conduct, Affinity will not hesitate to take decisive action, including termination of employment," the company said. The former Canberra educators said they have chosen to speak out about things they saw at Affinity so parents know the reality of the industry. "I would like for there to be a proper review of the childcare system," one educator said. "I've often had this conversation with first-time parents: they're taking their heart out and giving it to you, to trust you.
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Avoiding overreliance on AI in higher education — Jehana Ermy Jamaluddin
MAY 21 — Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming higher education, offering new tools for teaching, learning and assessment. From adaptive learning platforms to automated grading systems and AI-generated feedback, the appeal of efficiency and scalability is undeniable. However, alongside these benefits lies a growing concern: the risk of overreliance. When algorithms begin to overshadow academic judgment and interpersonal engagement, the core mission of education which is fostering critical thinking, reflection, and human connection, can be compromised. The challenge is not whether to use AI, but how to integrate it without allowing it to replace pedagogical intent. Teaching is not simply the transmission of content; it is a dynamic, relational process shaped by context, empathy, and professional intuition. Overdependence on AI tools can unintentionally narrow learning experiences. Students might begin to rely on generative tools to complete tasks without engaging with underlying concepts. Educators, in turn, may be tempted to adopt AI suggestions without exercising their own academic judgment, especially under pressure to deliver content quickly or manage large cohorts. This can result in more passive learning, reduced intellectual curiosity, and a loss of creative teaching practices. To stay grounded in pedagogy, educators must remain at the centre of instructional decisions. AI tools should be seen as support systems and not decision-makers. For example, many universities use adaptive platforms like Coursera or Moodle that recommend learning pathways based on student performance. While helpful, these systems are most effective when lecturers intervene to adjust recommendations based on their knowledge of the students and the broader learning goals. When educators actively shape the AI-enhanced experience, they ensure that learning is personal, inclusive, and meaningful. AI can also be used to enrich and not to restrict student choice. Too often, AI systems predict what students should learn next and create narrow content funnels that limit exposure to diverse topics. A student performing poorly in algorithmic thinking, for instance, might be repeatedly directed to basic exercises in data structures. Yet a thoughtful instructor might identify that the same student can engage with real-world problems like AI bias or ethical computing, thus broadening their learning journey. By stepping in, educators help students stretch beyond algorithmic assumptions, encouraging intellectual risk-taking and confidence. The ChatGPT logo is seen on the screen of a smartphone in this illustrative photo. — AFP pic One effective way to embed AI ethically is through reflective learning models. Rather than using AI to provide definitive answers, educators can frame it as a thinking partner. In a humanities class, for example, students could use a generative AI tool to draft the structure of a persuasive essay, then critically evaluate the logic and underlying assumptions. This method not only builds AI literacy but also reinforces skills in argumentation, critique, and self-awareness. Similarly, in engineering or business courses, students might be asked to compare AI-generated solutions to case studies with their own, reflecting on differences in reasoning and ethical implications. Institutions also play a critical role in shaping a balanced approach. Clear guidelines around acceptable use of AI should be developed collaboratively across departments. These frameworks can help ensure consistency while respecting the specific needs of different disciplines. Equally important is building AI literacy across the academic community. Faculty development programmes and classroom resources on how AI works; and where it falls short, empower both educators and students to engage with these tools thoughtfully and responsibly. Some universities have taken the lead by creating interdisciplinary 'Teaching with AI' task forces. These groups review emerging technologies, propose ethical standards, and help integrate AI into pedagogy without sacrificing academic integrity. Perhaps the most important strategy to avoid overreliance is the regular evaluation of learning impact. Rather than focusing solely on performance metrics generated by AI tools, institutions should review whether students are genuinely engaging with content, developing higher-order thinking, and participating actively in their own learning. This might involve classroom observations, student feedback, and peer reflection to ensure that AI is supporting and not replacing meaningful educational experiences. AI undoubtedly has a place in the future of higher education. Its ability to support personalised learning, provide rapid feedback, and assist with routine tasks can benefit both students and educators. But its value depends entirely on how we use it. If treated as a shortcut, AI can lead to shallow learning and disengagement. If used with intention and pedagogical care, it can enhance creativity, reflection, and depth. The goal is not to teach through AI, but to teach with it. That means reaffirming the role of educators as designers of learning experiences and mentors in students' intellectual journeys. It means treating AI as an assistant that extends human capabilities and not as a replacement for human connection. As institutions move forward, the guiding principle should remain clear: technology may shape the future, but it is pedagogy that defines its purpose. * The author is the Director of the Centre for Academic Advancement and Flexible Learning (CAFEL) and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). She may be reached at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
