Early Childhood Educators' Opinions on the Curious-Child e-Twinning Project in an Enriched Play Environment

Abstract

The research aims to reveal the views of early childhood educators who actively participated in the e-Twinning Project named “Curious Child in Enriched Play Environment (ZOOM-Ç)” planned within the scope of a foundation university's Preschool Education Doctoral Program “Play Research” course in the 2021-2022 academic year. The study group consists of 28 early childhood educators who actively participated in the project and were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview form and a metaphorical perception form in order to examine teachers' views in depth. The data analysis process started with open coding. With axial coding, main themes and sub-themes were revealed in line with the responses of early childhood educators. In the last stage, the codes were finalized with selective coding. The study revealed that the inclusion of open-ended materials in educational environments has very positive aspects for children, educators and parents. It was understood that the integration of open-ended materials into the educational environment led to changes in children's choice of games and toys. It was concluded that open-ended materials provided quality play experiences and increased children's tendency to prefer open-ended materials in their play.

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Open-ended materials
• Early childhood educator
• e-Twinning

Zenginleştirilmiş Oyun Ortamında Meraklı -Çocuk e-Twinning Projesine İlişkin Erken Çocukluk Eğitimcilerinin Görüşleri

Abstract

Araştırma 2021-2022 eğitim öğretim döneminde, bir vakıf üniversitesi Okul Öncesi Eğitimi Doktora Programı “Oyun Araştırmaları” dersi kapsamında planlanan “Zenginleştirilmiş Oyun Ortamında Meraklı Çocuk (ZOOM-Ç)” isimli e-Twinning Projesine etkin katılım sağlayan erken çocukluk eğitimcilerinin projeye ilişkin görüşlerini ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma grubunu projeye aktif katılım sağlayan ve amaçlı örnekleme yoluyla seçilmiş 28 erken çocukluk eğitimcisi oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma nitel perspektifli bir çalışma olup; araştırmada nitel araştırma metotlarından biri olan eylem araştırması deseni kullanılmıştır Öğretmen görüşlerinin derinleştirmesine incelenebilmesi için yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ve metaforik algı formu aracılığıyla veriler toplanmıştır. Veri analizi sürecine açık kodlama yapılarak başlanmıştır. Eksensel kodlama ile erken çocukluk eğitimcilerinin yanıtları doğrultusunda ana temalar ve alt temalar ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Son aşamada seçici kodlama ile kodlara son hali verilmiştir. Araştırma ile açık uçlu materyallerin eğitim ortamlarında yer almasının çocuklar, eğitimciler ve ebeveynler açısından oldukça olumlu yanları olduğu görülmüştür. Açık uçlu materyallerin eğitim ortamına entegre edilmesinin çocukların oyun ve oyuncak seçimlerinde değişiklik oluşturduğu anlaşılmıştır. Açık uçlu materyallerin kaliteli oyun deneyimleri sağlayarak, çocukların oyunlarında açık uçlu materyalleri tercih etme eğilimlerinin arttığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

Keywords

• Erken çocuk eğitimi
• açık uçlu materyaller
• erken çocukluk eğitimcisi
• e-Twinning

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