Best Online College for Early Childhood Education in Australia

Swinburne Online is changing the way education is delivered in Australia, offering aspiring early childhood educators a dynamic and immersive learning experience. As a joint venture between SEEK.com.au and Swinburne University of Technology, the institution combines the best of both worlds – the innovation of an industry leader and the legacy of a university with over a century of educational history.

Pursue Your Passion for Early Childhood Education through Online Programs

Online College for Early Childhood Education in Australia

Swinburne Online, through its interactive online platform, brings together the convenience of flexible online study and the support of a 24/7 learning environment. This digital campus enables students to access expert tutors, a wealth of learning resources, and engage in fruitful collaboration with their peers. 

By choosing Swinburne Online, students attain the same internationally recognized qualifications as those studying on-campus at Swinburne University of Technology, a globally respected institution serving 30,000 students across its Melbourne and overseas locations.

Why Choose Swinburne Online for Early Childhood Education

Ranked among the top three percent of universities worldwide, Swinburne Online stands as a hallmark of excellence in education. This distinction translates well to online learning, providing students with the flexibility they need to balance their studies with work, family, and other commitments. 

Many of their students are working full-time or caring for their families, and Swinburne Online caters to their unique needs.

The comprehensive support system, available seven days a week through Student Advisors, ensures that students receive assistance in course planning, technical support, motivation, goal-setting, and self-care. 

The eLearning Assistants (eLAs) provide specialized guidance and address queries for each unit. Swinburne Online operates on three teaching periods a year (March, July, and November), with each period spanning 13 weeks. Students can opt to complete one to four units per period, with each unit requiring approximately eight to ten hours of weekly study.

Australian citizens also benefit from fee assistance, making quality education accessible to a broader demographic. Whether you're looking to accelerate your learning or prefer a more gradual pace, Swinburne Online accommodates your individual goals and aspirations.

You can contact directly on their website, they are also available on LinkedIn, click here.

How the Online Program Enhances Early Childhood Education

Swinburne Online's Early Childhood Education program goes beyond imparting child development knowledge; it explores the broader domains of learning, education philosophies, and the nurturing aspects of early childhood teaching. This program has been designed thoughtfully, considering the needs of working professionals in the field.

One remarkable feature of the program is its integration of practical experience, or practicum, into the coursework. This approach empowers early childhood educators to continue working in their service while gaining valuable hands-on experience that can be immediately applied to their daily tasks. 

The seamless integration of theory and practice ensures that educators can implement newly acquired knowledge into their work right away, enriching their learning journey.

The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education offered by Swinburne Online stands out for its efficiency. 

Spanning just one year and comprising four units, this program is tailored for those who can't dedicate extended periods for studying. This allows students to maintain their roles in their current centers while progressively becoming qualified early childhood teachers. 

The benefits of this qualification can elevate their professional capacities to new heights, bringing positive change to their careers.

Conclusion: Early Childhood Education Online

Swinburne Online stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence in early childhood education. By blending the legacy of Swinburne University of Technology with the digital advancements of today, the institution offers an unparalleled online learning experience. 

Aspiring educators looking to further their careers can seize the opportunity to earn industry-ready qualifications while maintaining their commitments. 

Embrace the digital pathway to excellence with Swinburne Online's Early Childhood Education programs.

Online Maths Games for Kids and Toddlers

Giving children an early start in education is every parent's wish. Many studies have supported the fact that preparing children early - before they start school - sets the foundation for future success in school.

For keen parents wanting to give their children a better start, there are many educational programs (and smartphone apps) available for free; as well as those that are purchasable. 

But, knowing the right option, age-appropriate for younger children can be a hassle. 

This post identifies one highly recommended learning program for children - Reading Eggs.

Source: Reading Eggs

Online Maths Games for Kids and Toddlers

The Reading Eggs is a fun-filled educational software for children ages 3 years old to 13 years old. 

Parents of children who've used the software have seen *significant* improvement in their children's ability to read and write and learn about numbers.

Why Reading Eggs?

The Maths Factor is another learning program available, but I am also a fan of the Reading Eggs. One of the best features of Reading Eggs is the *Reward*. 

The Reading Eggs reward system motivates kids to keep exploring and learning.  My kids have used it since they were 3 years old – fantastic learning program, highly recommended. 

Here is a brief citation from Reading Eggs:

“Children love the games, songs, golden eggs and other rewards which, along with feeling proud of their reading, really motivate children to keep exploring and learning.” Reading Egg (accessed 23/11/2017)

Reading Eggs Maths Online Games

Many parents of young children have recommended Reading Eggs. Your children can have fun and learn to read, early, both at home or when you are out and about.

Perhaps giving children the best start early in life is the best thing to do as parents. This paves way for both academic success and success in life - reading is a life skill and every child should know how to read. 

The best way to learn how to read is to learn about LETTER SOUNDS. Find out how you can help your child learn letter sounds as the first of the 5 steps of learning to read by following the link.

Reading Eggs Fun

The 5 points are the main reasons why Reading Eggs is proven to be popular among many parents:

• 1.  Cater for children ages 3 – 13 years old;  
• 2. Highly interactive and reward-based – children play, earn points and learn;  
• 3. Accessible via Personal (Home) Computers and Smartphones;  
• 4. *Free* online trial permitted - no need to enter bank card details prior to the unlimited free trial; 
• 5. Over 90% of parents indicated noticeable *improvement* in their children.

Curriculum and Structural Changes: Intensive Early Childhood Education Has Long-lasting Effects on Learning

The education system has undergone several changes. Here are some highlights of the changes in the School Curriculum and School Structure in Papua New Guinea. To clarify, curriculum change would mean the the change from the Standard-Based Education (SBE) to Outcome-Based Education (OBE) and vice versa. Whereas the Structural Change refers to the arrangement (and rearrangement) of Grades composition within the schools. 

Brief

Many students in the 1990s will remember the curriculum change that took place. Talks about the change started in 1993/1994. The actual curriculum shift - from the more established SBE to the troublesome OBE - happened in 1995.

 Twenty-one (21) years later, (and after much criticism of OBE) the curriculum reverted to SBE in 2016. This year, 2017, would be the second year of implementing SBE in classrooms around the country. The interesting observation is that there is *no* information about what actually is transpiring in classrooms. It could imply either all is well or something is seriously not right.

Change as a process

Understandably, change – as a process – needs monitoring and reporting on an on-going basis. After 2 years of SBE many questions needing answers as the country's education system moves into the third year of SBE implementation:

• How are all the key stakeholders monitoring the progress and reporting? 
• How are the teachers coping in the classrooms? 
• Is there any significant transformation happening in classrooms nationwide?

Furthermore, in 2015 the Education Department hinted a change in overall School/Education Structure. And, implied to take effect, in 2016, starting with schools in the main centres (This had not materialised). The image gives details of the structural changes, including the attempt changes: 

1.    Pre-1995 (6-4-2 structure) 

• 12 years of schooling
• Primary School Grades 1 – 6 
• High School Grades 7 – 10
• National High School Grades 11 – 12
• Up to 1995 was the era of SBE

2.    1995 and ensuing years (2-6-4 structure) 

• 12 years of schooling
• Elementary school Grades 1 – 2
• Primary School Grades 3 – 8
• Secondary school Grades 11 – 12
• The era of OBE curriculum dominated by a slow move from the 6-4-2 structure to 2-6-4 structure

3.    2015 structural change (2-6-6)

• 14 years of schooling
•  Early years/pre-school Prep 1 – Prep 2
• Primary School Grade 1 – 6
• Secondary School Grades 7 - 12

This was supposed to have taken effect in 2016, but did *not* eventuate. In fact, the change would have completely turned the system upside-down. The pre-primary levels would stay the same. But the primary schools were likely to take in Grades 1 -2 and dissolve Grades 7-8. And, the Secondary Schools would (in turn) have taken in Grades 7-8, hence have Grade 7 - 12 (6 grades altogether!).

4.    2018 - *indication of another* structural change (1-6-6) 

• 13 years of schooling
•  Pre-school Prep 1
• Primary School Grades 1 – 6
• Secondary School Grades 7 – 12

Indicated recently through the media, this is another changed hinted to have started in 2018. Teachers, especially the Tok Ples Elementary and Grade 7-8 teachers, will be the obvious group caught in the changing structure. 

Foundation years (ages 3, 4, 5 and 6)

It is indicative, in the structural changes, that there are only one or two years at the pre-primary levels. This level of schooling remains a lesser focus area among the on-going educational changes. By this I mean, there is a need for *more* emphasis on *quality* at the early-learning (preparatory) years. For example, the education changes could look at widening the base to 4 years of early learning; or ensure children at these early years are a own group apart; or setting a benchmark where teachers with degree and honours teach the children of ages 3, 4, 5 and 6 years.

The changes cannot ignore the fact that learning taking place at the earlier ages has significant effect on children's cognitive and academic development. A research finding pointed out that:

The early childhood education can have long-lasting effects on the children's cognitive and academic development. (Source: RAND, a renown research organisation )

One impending question is: 

Do the educational changes, such as the structural and curriculum changes, place emphasis on the pre-primary level and early-learning?

The changes in PNG's education structure (and curriculum) are for the good of every child, nonetheless. The challenge, going forward, is to re-evaluate and prioritise the early-learning structure - create a stronger foundation.