Required prerequisite knowledge

• Students from ECTE at NLA University College must have passed their final assessments from area of knowledge (KO) 1-5, and their oral examination from KO6.
• International students must be able to document their degrees in Early Childhood Teacher Education or their university placement in equivalent education, both on a bachelor level.
• Bachelor students from Intercultural studies (IKS) at NLA University College, must have passed their first year of study, 60 ECTS, and be registered within the bachelor programme.

International students will be required to participate in the orientation program (3-5 days) in an early childhood education setting before the start of the semester.

A police certificate (of good conduct) must be submitted at the start of the studies.

Recommended prerequisite knowledge

Knowledge of Early Childhood Education in Norway and/or Scandinavia.

Relevance within study programme

Optional course in the ECTE bachelor program, Intercultural Studies Program or further education.

Introduction

The course contains the following disciplines:

Part 1 (15 ECTS): Pedagogy (8 ECTS) and Drama (7 ECTS)

[Part 2 (15 ECTS): Pedagogy (12 ECTS) and Social Science (3 ECTS)]

Learning outcomes descriptors

After completed the course, the student will have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of and is conscious of the importance of voice, body language and improvisation with relevance to leadership
• is familiar with different traditions of pedagogical supervision and their views on learning and development

Gained skills

The student

• can use drama methods involving both children and staff in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)
• can use dramatic improvisation to develop his/her own leadership

General competence

The student

• has the ability of and understanding of giving and receiving feedback
• understands the pedagogical leaders’ importance for the quality of the Early Childhood Education and Care and can transfer and apply their knowledge to other organisations, fields and target groups.

Content

This course focuses on the role of the leader in Early Childhood Education and Care. This includes leadership related to both children and ECE staff. It will deal with leadership from a social perspective. It will emphasise the pedagogical supervisor’s social responsibility and her/his responsibility for participating in professional discussions. Through practical work, such as participating and leading sessions in processdrama and microteaching, the students learn how to lead children and staff to develop competence.

The course is organised in the following topics:

• Microteaching, emphasising the development of leadership
• Development of leadership through the application of improvisation and drama pedagogical methods

Teaching and learning methods

Study and teaching methods in this course will be lectures, seminars, group work, video recordings, counselling, practice observations and self-tuition.

Scope

The expected amount of workload for the students: Approximately 400-450 working hours, including self-study.

Coursework requirements

The following requirements must be approved before the final assessment:

• Mandatory attendance in all lessons, instructions, individual or group presentations and group supervision
• Participation in a Process Drama and Microteaching-course
• Written portfolios, related to learning outcomes description

Grading, coursework requirements

Approved / not approved

Final assessment

Final assessment part 1:

• A practice period of 5 days. Assessment criteria are closely related to the learning outcome descriptors for this course. International students will additionally be required in preparation to attend an introductory practice week in an early childhood education setting before the start of the semester.
• Oral examination:

The student prepares for an assigned professional topic, which is to be presented as an individual oral presentation of 10 minutes, followed by a conversation with the examiners. The student is allowed two days for preparations.

Grading, examination

The grading is A - F on the final exam.

Permitted aids under examination

During the oral examination, lecture notes are permitted.

Assessment language

English.

Norwegian and Scandinavian languages by application.

Progression requirements

International students will not be eligible to apply for part 2 (15 ECTS), unless part 1 has been completed

Practice

The practice period is 5 days of work in Early Childhood Education and Care for ECTE students. For students from Intercultural studies, it can be in Early Childhood Education and Care or related public institutions/ private organisations. Se other rules for additional information.

Practice relates closely to learning outcome descriptors for this course.

The practice period will be guided and counselled by a teaching supervisor.

Course evaluation

The students will be given the opportunity to evaluate the course through oral evaluations and through standardised, anonymous web-based evaluations.

Other rules

Teaching Practice: If international students attending the course are participating in and staying on campus for part 2, the practice period may be moved by the practice administration to a later or earlier date in the semester.

Final assessment: If all international students participates in both parts of this subject, the final examinationss for part 1 and 2 may be moved by the examination administration to a later or earlier date in the semester.

Available as Single Course

The course is primarily offered as a single course 30 ECTS study, divided into two parts of 15 ECTS, offered as part of the bachelor in Early Childhood Teacher Education program.

International students may choose only to complete part 1 (15 ECTS). International students will not be eligible to apply for part 2 (15 ECTS) unless part 1 has been completed.