Description
What is a Socratic Circle?
Socratic Circles derive from the work of the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates. Socrates believed that philosophical engagement with knowledge and critical thought can achieve practical outcomes that contribute to the greater well-being of humanity. In a Socratic Circle, participants explore contemporary knowledge and are facilitated to develop their wisdom through deep engagement and critical reasoning.
What is the focus of these Socratic Circles?
In these sessions, Educational Leaders will be provided with a customised journey through contemporary research in early learning. This Socratic Circle will support them to engage deeply with the Early Years’ evidence base to deepen their philosophical and scientific understanding of early learning processes and practices which maximise child outcomes.
What supports are on offer?
Dr. Dee O Connor (Associate Professor of Education at The University of Notre Dame Australia) will explore participants’ individual interests and support needs. This information will be used to develop a tailored evidence-based research journey for each participant.
Involvement in one or more Socratic Circles will support participants over the 2020 academic year to engage meaningfully with contemporary Early Years developmental and pedagogical research findings. Participants will also be provided with elective mentoring as they process the integration of their new knowledge into their professional philosophy, identity and capacity.
What commitment is required?
Four Socratic Circle sessions will run during 2020. Participants can choose to attend one, two, three or all sessions.
The Socratic Circle will be a space where leaders are:
• provided with a curated body of research based on analysed individual interest and need
• given the space to read peer-reviewed papers and engage with them deeply
• facilitated in discussion and analysis about how the evidence base intersects with the philosophical context of their leadership
Reflection Aspect
Following the process, participants will be invited to engage in a reflective where both The AITSL Teaching Standards and The AITSL Principal Standard will be used as a lens upon which to reflect through and see how knowledge of research findings can support leaders in their journey towards evidenced-based excellence.
During each Socratic Circle Session leaders will be:
- provided with a curated body of research based on the identified areas of focus
- given the space to engage with them deeply and reflectively
- facilitated in discussion and analysis about how the evidence base intersects with the philosophical context of their leadership.
Session 1Understanding and Guiding Young Children’s BehaviourRelational PedagogyChild Development Session 2 Play PedagogiesThe Play-Inquiry Learning ContinuumInquiry and Environments (Inclusive of curriculum areas such as literacy) Session 3Nature PedagogyOutdoor learningOutdoor environments Session 4 AgencyEducators as AdvocatesLeadership in Early Childhood Education
Presenters
Rebekah Garwood (AISWA Staff)
Early Childhood Consultant
Bek Garwood is an early childhood educator and leader experienced in creating child-centred indoor and outdoor learning environments where children feel safe, secure and supported. Rebekah is a strong advocate for the needs and the rights of our youngest students and is passionate about play pedagogies, emergent literacy, inquiry and nature-based learning.
Assoc Prof Dee O'Connor
Associate Professor Dee O’Connor is the Associate Dean of Education at the University of Notre Dame, Australia. Dee's specialism is Early Childhood Education. She holds over 20 years' experience in the field within a variety of positions across early childhood practice, policy and academia. Her research relates to Play, Learning Environments, Creativity and Child Development through Education. She is a highly published author and regularly speaks at international conferences. If you are interested in hearing her speak before the event, you can view her TEDxTALK on The Development of Creativity at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozNo1tSARh8
Terms & Conditions
Please click here to view our general terms and conditions
Segments
Event Segment
Date / Time
31 Jul 2020 Starts: 09:00 Finishes: 16:00Delivery Format : In Person
Quest Fremantle
PL Hours : 7.50
Event Segment
Date / Time
18 Sep 2020 Starts: 09:00 Finishes: 16:00Delivery Format : In Person
Notre Dame University
PL Hours : 7.50
Event Segment
Date / Time
30 Oct 2020 Starts: 09:00 Finishes: 16:00Delivery Format : In Person
Notre Dame University
PL Hours : 7.50
Event Segment
Date / Time
12 Mar 2021 Starts: 09:00 Finishes: 16:00Delivery Format : In Person
Boulevard Centre (The) - Floreat
PL Hours : 6.50
Learning Area
- Early Childhood
School Area
- Preschool (PK-K)
- Early Childhood (PK - 2)