Earn while you learn to be childhood educator
THE School of Education & Cognitive Science, Asia e University (AeU) offers the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (GDipECE) which is unique qualification designed only for practicing preschool teachers.
The programme is fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) and is pegged at Level 6 – Bachelor degree according to MQF.
The normal entry requirement is a diploma or STPM but with recognition of prior and experiential learning (or APEL), applicants with at least 2 years’ experience in early childhood settings and SPM or O-Level or UEC may apply.
Applicants are required to sit and pass an aptitude test and submit a portfolio of their experience which will be evaluated accordingly.
According to the Dean, School of Education & Cognitive Science, AeU, Prof Dr. John Arul Phillips, the curriculum of the GDipECE adheres closely to Programme Standards for Early Childhood Education (2014) by MQA.
The programme is designed to equip teachers with the knowledge, skills, competencies and values in developing the holistic child under their care.
Students pursuing the programme will relate their practice to theories underlying child growth and development, methods and techniques in teaching science, mathematics, social studies and language to young children.
They will also acquire the skills of observing and assessing young learners, guiding the behaviour of children, integrating technology to enhance learning, lead and manage early childhood centres.
The GDipECE takes about two years to complete and at the end of which students will engage in a Teaching Practicum for 14 weeks in a nursery and kindergarten.
Their teaching will be evaluated by academics and professionals from the University. During the Teaching Practicum, practitionerstudents will maintain a record of their teaching, keep a reflective journal, introduce a teaching innovation and have their lessons recorded and uploaded to an online platform to be evaluated by a panel of experts.
The programme is delivered using a blended pedagogical approach which enables teachers to continue working as well as study, i.e. ‘earn while you learn’.
Students are provided with all learning materials online which include a self-instructional module (which forms the ‘must-know’ content), several short video and audio clips explaining key concepts theories and application to realworld situations, and quizzes to test comprehension and understanding.
To support their learning, students are provided with10 hours of face-to-face interaction for each course conducted once a month during weekends.
In these classes, well-qualified tutors discuss the ‘must-know’ content, demonstrate application of concepts in the classroom, explain the assignments and preparation for examinations.
Evaluation is based on both examinations (40 pct) and assignments (60 pct).
Assignments are workbased which involve surveys, observations, critique of articles, preparing teaching aids and manipulatives, designing lesson plans and implementing them in their respective classrooms.
Examinations are conducted at the end of each semester, consisting of objective and essay questions, held on weekends in close proximity to the student’s place of residence.
Prof. Phillips further indicated that graduates from the programme who wish to continue may transfer all 68 credits to a Bachelors of Education (Early Childhood Education) offered by the University.
They would need a top-up of about 2 years to complete the degree. In short, the GDipECE is a flexible programme that has been personalised to the needs of practicing preschool teachers who want to pursue a diploma without having to give up their working preparation for 2020.
Register now or apply online at www.aeu.edu.myfor May 2018 intake. For enquiries, call 1300 300 23 or 03-5022 3456or email enquiries@aeu.edu.my