Weekly sessions:
Indicative topics to be covered at university include;
• Contemporary and traditional approaches to developing professional networks
• Multi-professional teams
• Issues relating to co-operative working
• Theoretical and legislative perspectives underpinning collaboration
• Practical strategies to promote effective associations and partnerships

Formative assessment will take place throughout the module in the form of taught sessions, questioning, discussion and attendance/progress monitoring. Tutors will provide tutorial support throughout the modules and students are requested to make appointments if they wish to discuss elements of their work.

Contextual Background - External Visit – A visit to an early childhood community space, site, or service is embedded to inspire and offer context for the designed resource/activity.

Summative assessment:

Professional Networks - An individually assessed group presentation on a developed resource or activity designed for an external network. 20 mins. (LO1,2,3,4) 70%

Professional Collaboration Analysis- A 1500 word personal analytical account of the collaborative work with peers whilst developing the resource / activity (LO 1,2,3,4) 30%

Lectures –Formal lectures which will provide theoretical underpinning on key concepts. These will be traditional, fully interactive and often multi-platformed using educational applications.

Tutorials –Opportunity to discuss work-related and academic concerns in small group and individual tutorials.

Flipped Classroom – Whereby preparation is completed at home prior to the group work on problem based learning. For example assigned readings can be discussed informally, questions can be raised and debates conducted.

Guided reading and supported self-study –You will be provided with booklists, reading tasks, and activities to complete in order to enable you to engage with relevant and appropriate materials. 228 hours of independent study will require you to take responsibility for relating the issues addressed in this module to your professional experience.

Blackboard- You will be required to use Blackboard as your virtual classroom. You will find all of the learning materials for the module, alongside signposts to further useful information.

The latest and most recent Curricula, Legislative and Best Practice directives will be covered. These can be mostly accessed from www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education

Staffordshire University study tools will be adopted. These can be accessed from www.staffs.ac.uk

Many academic journals will be referred to, including but not limited to; European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, Journal of Early Childhood Research, Teacher and Teacher Education, Educational Psychology, Journal of Educational Technology and Society.

Gasper, M. (2010), Multi-agency Working in the Early Years: Challenges and Opportunities. London: Sage

Rodd, J. (2013) Leadership in Early Childhood, the Pathway to Professionalism, London: Open University Press

Trodd, L. & Chivers, L. (2011), Interprofessional Working in Practice: Learning and Working Together for Children and Families. Maidenhead: OUP

Vandenbroeck, M. (2016) Pathways to Professionalism in Early Childhood Education and Care, London: Routledge

University teaching sessions
Tutorials
Work Placement
University library, ebrary and website
Materials and Links on Blackboard
Social media e.g twitter @EarlyYearsSU @EdStaffsUni

1. Demonstrate understanding of the importance of professional networks
Knowledge and Understanding

2. Apply theoretical perspectives to analyse issues of collaborative working
Application

3. Evaluate strategies that contribute to forming professional networks and effective collaboration Analysis
Evaluation

4. Reflect and recommend approaches to develop your own networks and collaborative practice Application
Reflection

On this module you will explore a variety of topics:
Contemporary and traditional approaches to developing professional networks;
Multi-professional teams;
Issues relating to co-operative working;
Theoretical and legislative perspectives underpinning collaboration;
Practical strategies to promote effective associations and partnerships