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Research Connections Faculty Teaching Modules

Download Materials And Provide Feedback

Welcome to the site for the Child Care and Early Education Research Connections Faculty Teaching Modules! This page provides information and opportunities for feedback about teaching modules that early childhood faculty can use to help undergraduate students understand, find, reflect on, and use research. Drawing on the resources of the Research Connections Web site, the modules can be adapted to typical course content and assignments in early childhood teacher education programs at the associate and baccalaureate levels. Except for Module 1, other modules may be used in any order and may be adapted to your students' characteristics and your teaching needs.

Please note that if you wish to adapt the materials, you should download the editable MS Word versions.

The materials include the following:

Introduction for Faculty

The Introduction for Faculty (PDF 632K) familiarizes you with Research Connections and the many tools available on the Web site. The Introduction includes

  • Purpose and Benefits of the Teaching Modules
  • Quick Tips for Using the Teaching Modules
  • About Research Connections
  • Link to Research Connections' Collaborative Activities
  • Quick Tips on Using the Website
  • Tips for Searching the Collection and a Guide to Other Resources
  • Research Connections Staff Contact Information

Modules for You to Use with Undergraduate Students

Each draft module includes

  • Outcomes for students
  • Alignment with NAEYC standards for early childhood professional preparation (used in baccalaureate program reviews by NAEYC/NCATE [baccalaureate] and by NAEYC for its Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation)
  • Proposed Content (4-7 activities/assignments that you may use "as is" or adapt. Typical activities ask individuals or teams of students to conduct searches using Research Connections and to consider the practical implications of what they find)
  • Student Worksheets to accompany each activity (again you may use "as is" or adapt)

Module 1: Welcome to Research Connections!

This module provides students with a basic orientation to Research Connections. Depending on your program, it could be used at the beginning of any core course taken by all ECE students. Therefore, unlike the four "content-specific" modules, this is not tied to a particular course. We recommend that students first work through this module and then move on to any of the other modules.

  • Introduction (PDF 99K; DOC 46K)
  • Worksheets (PDF 74K; DOC 49K)

Module 2: Research Connections and Early Childhood Development

This module may be used in conjunction with a typical child development course taken by ECE students. Activities include using Research Connections as part of a child development case study, and searching for information about risk factors in early development.

  • Introduction (PDF 97K; DOC 38K)
  • Worksheets (PDF 75K; DOC 48K)

Module 3: Research Connections and Early Childhood Curriculum and Teaching Strategies

This module may be used in conjunction with a course in curriculum, ECE teaching methods, or similar courses. Activities include using Research Connections to learn more about state PreK curriculum models, and finding information to support a student curriculum project such as a thematic unit.

  • Introduction (PDF 92K; DOC 35K)
  • Worksheets (PDF 68K; DOC 40K)

Module 4: Research Connections and Families of Young Children

This module may be used in conjunction with a course in family studies, family-school partnerships, or similar courses. Activities include using Research Connections to broaden understanding of family diversity, and finding research to support a plan to increase family involvement.

  • Introduction (PDF 104K; DOC 41K)
  • Worksheets (PDF 85K; DOC 51K)

Module 5: Research Connections and the Early Childhood Profession

This module may be used in conjunction with a course in professionalism in ECE, professional issues, introduction to the early childhood field, or similar courses. Activities include using Research Connections to find research related to some current trends and critical issues, and to examine states' ECE standards and regulations.

  • Introduction (PDF 105K; DOC 52K)
  • Worksheets (PDF 105K; DOC 74K)

To Share Your Experiences and Post Resources

To share your experiences using the Research Connections materials with faculty colleagues and to post your own resources that adapt or add to these materials, please join our email list. Our goal is to create a community of learners: faculty committed to linking students with research in accessible, meaningful ways.

To Provide Feedback

To share any feedback you have on the modules specifically with Research Connections staff please email: rcmods@researchconnections.org.

Materials from the Faculty Teaching Modules Webinar

Additional Resources and Links