ECE 271: Career Development in Early Childhood Education

Course Description

This course will focus on preparation for career success in the field of early childhood education. Emphasis will be placed on creating a professional e-Portfolio, developing an online profile via Linked In as well as a professional development growth plan. Students will analyze individual elements of GRIT, personal skills and traits, then incorporate that knowledge into the weekly coursework. (2 credits)

Prerequisite

  • None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Develop an e-Portfolio for careers in ECE to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of NAEYC Standards for Educator Preparation and how standards relate to practice.
  2. Create a Linked In professional profile.
  3. Create a five-year professional development growth plan.
  4. Evaluate the professional and financial impact of working in various positions in the early childhood field.
  5. Write a Philosophy of Education and Vision statement.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsPointsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-5, 7@ 20 pts)

140

25%

Reflection Paper (Week 2, 100 points) 

100

10%

Journal Entries (Weeks 1 & 3 @ 100 points) 

200

10%

Philosophy of Education & Vision Statement (Week 2, 3 @ 100 points) 

200

10%

Linked In Profile Development (Weeks 1-5, 5 @ 26 points) 

130

10%

e-Portfolio Prep (Weeks 1-5, 5 @ 26 points) 

130

10%

Final Project- e-Portfolio (Week 5, 100 points)

100

25%

Total

1000

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Cawley, H.S, Daniels, J., Skelley, H.A., Watson-Thompson, O., & Wiltz, N.W. Developing and Presenting a Professional Portfolio in Early Childhood Education. 3rd Pearson Publishing, 2013. ISBN- 13: 9780132930383
  • Duckworth, A. The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner Publishing, 2016. ISBN: 9781501111112 (pbk) 978501111129 (ebook)

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2

Topic: Self-Discovery

  • Readings and Videos:
    • Review lecture material
    • Read chapters 1 & 2 from GRIT
    • Read chapters 1 & 3 from Developing a Professional Portfolio
    • Career Vision Statement
    • Skills Inventory  - Skills Assessment  Worksheet
    • Video: GRIT: Traits that Matter for School, Work, and Life
    • Video: What are Soft Skills?
    • Video: How to Make a Great Linked In Profile
  • Review Getting Started information
  • Review course syllabus
  • Participate in discussion forum 1: Introduction
  • Participate in discussion forum 2: Skills Inventory  
  • Create Linked In profile, Photo, Headline, and Summary sections
  • e-Portfolio: Submit Activity 3-1 on page 23.
  • e-Portfolio: create 5 folders on your computer and upload a screenshot (#1 on pg. 22).

2

1,2,5

Topic: Career Investigation

  • Readings and Videos:
    • Review lecture material
    • Read chapters 3 & 4 from GRIT
    • Read chapters 2, 4 & 5 from Developing a Professional Portfolio
    • Investigate: Do I want to work with children or for children?
    • What are my career options based on my interests?
    • O*NET Interest Profiler self-assessment
    • Video: How to Use Linked In Featured Section
    • Video: Why Choose a Career in Early Childhood Education?
  • Participate in discussion: Career Exploration
  • Linked In: Featured section
  • Submit Philosophy of Education & Vision Statement for review.
  • Reflection paper
  • e-Portfolio: Set up your portfolio via Power Point and submit:
    • Title
    • Table of contents
    • Sections I, II, III

3

1,2,5

Topic: Professional Networking

  • Readings and Videos:
    • Review lecture material
    • Read chapters 5 & 6 from GRIT
    • Read chapter 6 & 8 from Developing a Professional Portfolio
    • Career One Stop- Professional Associations Finder
    • Video: The Power of Networking
    • Video: Simon Sinek
    • Video: Professional Associations
  • Participate in discussion
  • Linked In: 20 connections, 2 groups, 2 Influencers, 3 companies
  • Journal Entry: Professional Associations & References
  • e-Portfolio: Add your Philosophy of Education & Vision Statement
  • e-Portfolio: Submit your artifact list: Activity 6-4 on pg. 54

4

1,2,3,4

Topic: Plan and Prep: Interviews, Negotiation, and Finances

  • Readings and Videos:
    • Review lecture material
    • Read chapters 7-9 from GRIT
    • Investigate: Teacher certification and alternative ways to maximize your salary.
    • Article: How to Write a Professional Development Plan
    • Video: Linked In Profile Tips- Experience Section
    • Video: How to Get Found on Linked In with your Skills Section
    • Video: Interview Practice- Early Childhood
    • Video: The Best Answer to “What’s Your Expected Salary?”
    • Video: How to Negotiate Salary After Job Offer
    • Continue to gather artifacts and add to e-Portfolio
  • Participate in discussion forum 1: Career Considerations and Negotiations\
  • Participate in discussion forum 2: Interview Questions.
  • Linked In: Experience, Education, add 10 skills
  • e-Portfolio: Add in:

    • Artifacts

    • 5-year Professional  Development Growth Plan

       

       

5

1,2

Topic: A Career in ECE; Find Your Culture of GRIT

  • Readings and Videos:
    • Review lecture material
    • Read chapters 10 & 11 from GRIT
    • Read chapters 7, 9 & 10 from Developing a Professional Portfolio
    • Video: Linked In Privacy Settings
    • Video: How to Ask for Recommendations on Linked In
  • Participate in discussion forum 1: GRIT: Interest, Practice, Purpose & Hope
  • Participate in discussion forum 2: Share Your Linked In Profile!
  • Linked In: Ask for a recommendation and update privacy settings
  • e-Portfolio:
    • Add a reflective narrative to 5 artifacts

    • Prepare for publishing!

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.