Welcome to The Inaugural LINK: ECS Graduate Showcase!

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Date: May 12, 2018 Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada

REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 1, 2018

LINK: The Early Childhood Studies Graduate Showcase will be held on May 12th, 2018 at Ryerson University. Our key objectives are to showcase the extraordinary work of students in the sector of early childhood studies, and to link current/recent ECS students with Ryerson MA in ECS alumni. This conference will offer opportunities to share ideas, present work, and connect with others who are studying or practicing careers in the early childhood sector.

Events will include research paper presentations, round table discussions, poster presentations and mentoring opportunities with MA-ECS alumni via panel discussion/workshops and ‘speed dating’ formats.

We hope you will join us for this exciting chance to explore, share, and grow together!

This conference is a collaborative initiative between Early Childhood Studies Master of Arts graduates of 2017 and the Early Childhood Studies Master of Arts Alumni Association (ECSMAAA). The conference is generously funded by Ryerson University’s Faculty of Community Services, the School of Early Childhood Studies, the ECSMA Alumni Association, and the Yeates School of Graduate Studies.

 

Keynote Speaker- Patricia Falope

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Patricia Falope is the founder and CEO of Early Childhood Development Initiative (ECDI). A prolific educator and researcher, she is an international consultant to UNICEF and heads the ECE leadership team for Nigeria. Her innovative techniques, rooted in respect for cultural values and practices, have led to the development of culturally appropriate curricula and methods that are successful, cost effective and scalable. She introduced play-based learning into the Nigerian public education sector and developed the curriculum for teacher training that has created a paradigm shift in the implementation of pre-primary education across the country. In Canada, her initiative for West African immigrant families in Toronto provides culturally relevant supports to families with young children. Patricia successfully trained Inuit and Cree ECE students across Nunavik for many years and worked with community leaders to advance culturally relevant ECD. She has presented papers at various academic and stakeholder conferences and collaborates with Ryerson University on cross-cultural research in early childhood education. Patricia is an alumnus of Ryerson University’s Masters in Early Childhood Studies program.

The College of Early Childhood Educators- Continuous Professional Learning

A note to all conference participants and volunteers:

The LINK conference has the potential to fit into an RECE’s individual CPL plan in many different ways depending on the priority areas that the RECE has identified. Documenting learning for a portfolio could talk the shape of:

  • A written reflection on a session/keynote or a resulting discussion with a colleague;
  • Copies of the presentations/papers;
  • Pictures of the posters;
  • Links or other resources that were provided at the conference; and/or
  • Participation certificate (note: WHICH IS NOT necessarily needed for participants to include in their learning plan)

Following each session and during breaks we encourage participants/volunteers to engage in critical reflective group dialogue. This is the goal of the CPL program as it fosters deeper engagement and learning, while positively influencing an RECE’s professional practice. We will do our best the build in some time during the conference where participants/volunteers can jot down thoughts using their own methods or using a list of provocations which might prompt the thinking process.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer for the conference, please get in touch with us through the contact page.