Reflective thinking in early childhood education

Morris, Joanne B. (2000) Reflective thinking in early childhood education. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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    Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
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Abstract

This study considers the reflective thinking of early childhood education students at the end of the first year of a two-year diploma program at the provincial college in Newfoundland and Labrador. Reflective thinking has been found to be a means of internalizing theory, reflecting on practice, and learning meaningful ways to improve and change practice. Graduates are expected to demonstrate knowledge of theories and practices necessary to plan and implement curriculum for individual children and groups in early childhood settings. A qualitative research design was selected to determine descriptive evidence of reflective thinking levels and behaviours for the 7 early childhood education students who comprised the study group. The students, who were selected from a population of 72, ranged in age from 20-58 with an average age of 37 years. There were 6 females and 1 male. Data were collected while students were engaged in discussion groups, guided journal writing, and discussions of observations of practice. There was evidence of 622 reflective thinking responses in total. The researcher concludes that these early childhood education students, at the end of the first year of a two-year diploma program, engaged in reflective thinking. The researcher recommends further research and provides recommendations to faculty involved in early childhood education.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
URI: http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/1629
Item ID: 1629
Additional Information: Bibliography: leaves 123-134
Department(s): Education, Faculty of
Date: 2000
Date Type: Submission
Geographic Location: Canada--Newfoundland and Labrador
Library of Congress Subject Heading: Early childhood education--Study and teaching--Newfoundland and Labrador; Early childhood teachers--Training of--Newfoundland and Labrador

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