Sharing Web Resources part 2

Last time, I researched Global School First, and this week I looked into Innovations Exchange from the Associations of Childhood Education International. "Today’s education innovation movement believes that a quality education should also promote better health, democratic participation, gender equality, and environmental sustainability—leading us to a more peaceful, prosperous world. As we move further into the 21st century, we must move toward a new standard of global education that puts this ambitious belief into practice," (acei, n.d., par.2). 

The innovation Exchange strives to be the first resource for teachers looking for new ideas and approaches in education. 

I find this helpful to me as I am moving from being a preschool teacher to a kindergarten teacher. I want to know what is the current and best practice, and gain new ideas with what to do with my classroom. 

I think this ties in with our study about how economist, neuroscientists, and politicians fit into the early childhood field, because it is something new and innovating in the field. 

"We reach a global audience working to create positive, sustainable futures for children and youth by developing and seeking out innovative solutions to education challenges," (acei, n.d., par. 5). Could the economists' view be an innovating solution to education challenges? This is a new idea that I have never thought of. 

References

ACEI. (n.d.). Innovation Exchange. Retrieved from http://www.acei.org/innovation-exchange/

image from google images

Getting to know Belize

For this assignment, I decided to research Belize.  I have visited the beautiful country while on a cruise a few years ago. I knew that it was an emerging country, but I had no idea of the issues children in this country face.  Belize has the highest HIV/AIDS rates in Central America, (Niles, 2008). Along with the aids problem; drugs, violence, and prostitution are common problems. UNICEF has a program called  My Neighbours and Me, that provides a safe place for kids after school. The program offers dancing, arts and crafts, homework help, etc.  It also talks with the kids about how to prevent HIV/AIDS, protect themselves, and how to use a computer.  The teachers in the area praise the program for teaching self discipline and self-control.

                                                       

What have I learned?

I knew that many in Belize lived in poverty, but I did not know about the issues with AIDS, drugs, and violence. I am glad that there are programs to help get kids off the streets and in a safe environment that will teach them skills to end the poverty cycle. The amazing information that I learned is that this program was started by two teen brothers, who were 18 and 13 when they opened the program. 

References

Niles, Chris. (2008). 'My Neighbours and Me' offer children positive alternative to drugs and crime. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/belize_42770.html

pictures retrieved from same website. 

Sharing Web Resources

                                    

 I chose the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). Their goal  is to work for education of all children with a focus on the most fragile and vulnerable children, (ACEI, n.a).   I love their mission statement. “Our mission is to promote innovative solutions to education challenges and inspire action that creates positive, sustainable futures for children and youth worldwide," (ACEI, n.a.). They have three programs that help meet their goal and mission statement. They are Center for Educational Diplomacy, Global Schools First,  and Innovative Exchange. 

The Center for Educational Diplomacy uses education as a way to promote peace, prosperity, and changes. Global Schools First, seeks "education that empowers learners to value national, social, racial, cultural, and religious differences while embracing our common humanity. To prepare children to be dedicated stewards of an increasingly interconnected world, global citizenship education must be placed at the center of learning," (Global Schools First, n.a.).  I absolutely love this statement!  The third program, is Innovative Exchange.  The Innovative Exchange says that learning and innovation go hand in hand. This programs seeks to share knowledge and thought with educators around the world. 

I am interested in learning more about the Global Schools First program, it sounds like this would be a great resource to learn more about diversity and appropriate strategies.  I am excited to dig in. 

links are posted below. 

http://www.acei.org/about/

http://www.acei.org/global-schools-first

http://www.acei.org/innovation-exchange

http://www.educationdiplomacy.org/

Expanding Horizons and Expanding Resources

For expanding horizons, I reviewed the World Forum Foundation about us page. This organization looks interesting. "The mission of the World Forum Foundation is to promote an on-going global exchange of ideas on the delivery of quality services for young children in diverse settings," (World Forum Foundation, n.d.).  The foundation is made up of early childhood leaders from all over the world. There are conferences , leadership meetings, groups, and forums. Each forum is hosted by a group and each group is in charge of a specific early childhood topic. If someone is interested in getting involved, you can join a conversation on the forum, join a focus group, or become a global leader for young children. 

I also listened to one of their pod cast, which I was surprised to not find mentioned any where on their about us page. The pod cast that I chose was an interview with Susan Lyons who is the director of the Innovative teacher Project in San Frisco.  The project is a network of schools and teachers that want to learn more about in depth approach to learning inspired by Reggio Emilia.  Each month a teacher presents their school to the group and they have discussions about the school. This has helped the schools and teachers in the area to grow and develop to make each school an inspiration.   

I would love an opportunity to go to one of these meetings and see what all is going on and how this network has helped these teachers and districts.  

For part two of this assignment, I chose the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). I chose this because I am interested in learning more about education in other parts of the world. I signed up for emails, which I am hoping means their e news. 

Resources
Association for the Association for Childhood Education International. (n.d.).  http://www.acei.org/ 
World Forum Foundation. (n.d.). about us. Retrieved from       http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/about.php

World Forum Foundation Radio. (2011). Interview with Susan Lyons. Retrieved from http://www.podcastchart.com/podcasts/world-forum-radio/episodes/world-forum-radio-susan-lyon/pop