The Introduction to Reggio Inspired Practice workshop aims to provide a starting point, unique to each learner, in the journey of coming to a better understanding of ways that we might articulate the ideas and strategies we have observed, read, or researched about the schools and philosophy of Reggio Emilia. Mastery of Reggio inspired pedagogy is a pursuit that lasts for our entire teaching career. Regardless of where we see ourselves on the path to enriching or reflecting on our work with young children, or those who teach them, this intensive course of study will provide invaluable resources and support to lead participants on a journey of Reggio inspired dialogue, experiential investigation, research fuelled by critical reflections on the documented work of children and supportive collegial critique of documentation developed during the workshop.

Objectives
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Analyze and evaluate principles of Reggio inspired practice
• Reflect on one’s own pedagogy and teaching practice as it is informed by a Reggio inspired theory and philosophy
• Create and interpret pedagogical documentation utilizing the principles of making learning visible
• Explore, experiment and develop hypothesizes of learning through a synthesis of the process and philosophy of Messing About
• Actively engage with a community of learners through collaboration, active investigations, critical reflection and dialogue

Outline
Day 1:  Art Media, aesthetics and one hundred languages

• Learners are invited to introduce themselves and briefly share their experience with Reggio inspired practice
• Learners are taken on a “visual tour” of children’s explorations and investigations with nature through forest walks, gardening and representations of these experiences
• Learners dialogue, reflect and create metaphorical representations of the values and principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach
• Learners are introduced to the first component of documentation: making learning visible through photography
• Learners engage in the “hundred languages” of representation by investigating and artistically representing a slice of “Canadian landscape” while documenting their experience
• Learners share their insights, reflections and questions which are documented for revisiting on Day 2.

Day 2: Messing about, co-construction and dialogue

• Learners are invited to utilize their documentation artifacts from Day 1 to begin a reflective dialogue with a group of colleagues and then share their reflections with the larger group
• Facilitators share their reflections and documentation of Day 1 with learners
• Learners begin to plan, draw and document the process and construction of a marble run.
• Learners start construction and documentation of their marble runs and are given challenges that elicit dialogue and co-construction of ideas and materials
• Learner groups share their reflections of the co-construction process
• Facilitators share introductory principles of the philosophy of Messing About utilizing their documentation of the learners co-construction processes
• Learners share their insights, reflections and questions which are documented for revisiting on Day 3.

Day 3: Making Learning Visible through documentation and Social Media Research

• Learners gather all of their documentation artifacts together for a reflective dialogue on how this research data is evidence of learning
• Facilitators share the principles of Making Learning Visible and suggest several documentation formats
• Participants create a documentation piece which is shared with the learning community
• Learner groups share their reflections on the documentation process
• Facilitators introduce tools of social media and their potential for making learning visible, documentation and research
• Learners are introduced to several social media platforms
• Learner community starts a Blog to document their experiences and reflections on the intensive workshop: Introduction to Reggio Inspired Practice

Trainer’s Profile
Louise J. is a professor in the Bachelor of Child development degree program at Seneca College. Louise has a Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning with a research focus on teacher reflection and educational technologies and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Louise has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education for young children and was privileged to travel to Reggio Emilia on a study tour where this inspiration grew. In addition to her teaching, Louise has facilitated workshops and conferences with early childhood practitioners and elementary school teachers. Most recently, she has focused on professional learning centred on pedagogical documentation, emergent curriculum, Forest Schools, professional learning through social media, making learning visible and Reggio inspired practice.

Methodology
This workshop is composed of opportunities for experiential and collaborative hands-on learning opportunities. Participants will have the opportunity to be fully engaged, interact with colleagues, reflect on, and document their learning in an environment that is supportive and meets an educator’s need to gain practical knowledge that can be applied to teaching practices.

Target Audience
Teachers, early childhood educators and administrators of children aged 0 to 8 years.

Investment
HKD5800.00/pax
HKD5000.00/pax if register by 1 Jul 14
   
Other Details
Duration: 3 days, 18 hours
Closing Date: 1 Sep 14 14 Nov 14