Exploring the transformational impact of international study visits on early childhood studies students

Aim: We aim to consider the impact of international field trips on students studying Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). On completion of their degree many of these students undertake a PGCE to become primary or early years teachers. Existing literature highlights the impact on ITE students of study-abroad experiences, including cultural awareness, self-efficacy and professional development (Willard-Holt, 2001; Cushner and Mahon, 2002).

Content: The presentation will report on an investigation of the experiences of four ECS students from an English university who took part in a 7-day field trip to Berlin, Germany. They had the opportunity to explore a variety of pedagogic and cultural locations concerned with the experiences of children throughout the last 100 years. The focus of the trip was ‘Places for children’ and ‘Places about children’. The research explores the extent to which the students identify an impact on both their academic knowledge and also ways in which their thinking has been transformed more widely in relation to understanding childhood and pedagogy. Data were collected using photo elicitation in semi-structured interviews and also through researcher analysis of reflective journals completed by the students both during and after the trip. Using Wilson’s (1993) theoretical lens to analyse the data, the research explores the ways in which participants recognise how the experience of an international study visit had an impact academically, professionally and personally on their learning, emotions, perspective and behaviours. Although short in length, a week-long visit may afford students opportunities to develop cultural and pedagogic awareness, self-confidence and academic knowledge in a similar way to study-abroad experiences of a longer duration.

Thinking deeply about teacher education: This research will be of interest to those who wish to consider the impact of international field trips on students’ ability to think deeply about pedagogy.

The country/ies to which the presentation relates: The presentation relates to students within the English context although the study abroad experience took place in Germany.