Early Childhood at Granite State

Welcome to my very first blog. My name is Beth McKenna and I am on the faculty at Granite State College. I teach classes for Early Childhood Education students, usually in the Rochester, NH college.

I have been teaching young children for over 30 years. Does that make me old? Actually I tend to hope that working around young children keeps me young as well. I have worked with children from the age of 2 up to the age of 12. I have worked in day care and public schools. I have worked with regular education students and with those with special needs. I also have 2 children of my own. I enjoy learning along with the children I teach.

I feel privileged to also learn along with and from the adult students at GSC. I hold degrees in Speech Therapy, Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Educational Leadership, but it is my experience in the classroom that I share with the students at Granite State. In the evening college classes I teach at Granite State, I enjoy getting to know the individuals who also love teaching and learning about children. Our conversations are hopefully opportunities for everyone to learn from each other.

I am teaching a Foundations in  Early Childhood Education course online at Granite State College this semester. It is a course that I have not taught before. Many of the people in the class are involved in the early childhood field, but need the coursework for their certification. Their first assignment was to introduce themselves and tell a little about their interest in the field of early childhood. It amazes me how many of the students talked about how much they love what they are doing. Almost every person in the class mentioned how much they love their job. Early Childhood education is not a high paying career field. It is also not an easy job, but it is one of the best jobs on the planet. Imagine working with young children who are excited about things such as butterflies in a garden, or clouds in the sky. Adults are usually too busy to notice the little things, but young children spend their time noticing these things. It is great to see so many people working in a field that they love and taking the time to improve their understanding of the field through online undergraduate education courses at Granite State that may lead them to an Associate Degree or a Bachelor's degree in early childhood, or even  special education teacher certification. 

Have you ever wondered if a college education was a good idea? Have you debated with yourself about going back to school, spending all that money to find out things you already know? Have friends told you there is no purpose in going to college?

Well, think for a minute about what you want to be doing 5, 10 even 20 years from now. Do you want to be doing the same thing you are doing now? Are you up to date with the latest technology for your field? Well a college education can help you to change careers or get up to date with the technological advances in your field. Recently I spoke to someone who started college right out of high school but then stopped. He works in the landscaping field. He wishes he knew something about running a business so he could work for himself. I suggested college courses and he said no way was he going to sit around in a classroom. Then I suggested on line courses. You can take them when your schedule allows it. You can take the courses you need for your career, or you can put together a program of classes for a particular degree. He is considering the idea and maybe you should too!

Did you know that Granite State College offers many different kinds of degree programs? They have on line and face to face  courses to meet your needs. Maybe you want Special Education Teacher certification after being a paraprofessional for many years.  Maybe you are thinking of an undergraduate psychology degree, or a health care management program. Consider the options and consider that things are changing so fast in our society, that without training, it will be hard for anyone to be prepared for a career, even 5 years from now. Don't be left behind. Think about your reason for a college education.

I have been teaching at Granite State for over 5 years and I marvel at the people who attend early childhood education classes. You do not have to be working in a day care center to take courses in Early Childhood. You might be a paraprofessional in a high school working with a special needs child. Maybe you work in a government office but are interested in children and are thinking of a career change. One student was a successful businessman who taught Sunday School and wanted to spend more time learning about children. Each person brings their own interests and experiences to the classroom. They offer each other support and ideas that are based on what they have done in the field, as parents, or in their hobbies and travels. If you are thinking of taking early childhood classes, or even starting an early childhood education degree at Granite State, but are worried that you do not have experience in the field, don't worry, you will learn from others and you will be amazed at all that you have to offer as well.

I am interested in your opinion of online education. Granite State College offers many courses on line. They have many online education, early childhood certification, and elementary education degree courses now online. So I am wondering what you think of an online model in the field of education?

I  recently taught the same course in both a face to face and an online format at Granite State College. The course was for Early Childhood Education Majors. I have asked students in the class for their feedback on the course materials including books, videos, discussions and forums. Those students who took the course face to face seemed less interested in the book and more interested in the discussions. Those students who took the course online were very impressed with the book and the videos. They enjoyed the posts of classmates to forums, but rated the book more highly. So I am asking your opinion of the online education experience. Is it a good way to gain an education? Do you think you get the same overall experience? Are there things that are missing in one format or the other that we should build in to the face to face or online models? Stay tuned to see what people are saying about online education.