Dr. Blitch Recognized for project to bring innovation to online course! 2/4/2019   The UA College of Continuing Studies has named Dr. Kimberly Blitch a 2019 Innovation Scholar in Residence. Innovation Scholar award programs give online teaching faculty and content experts the opportunity to benefit from technology funding, and Innovation Team consultation and support toward a proposed Innovation project.   Dr. Blitch's project involves course enhancement of HD 321 (distance delivery), a key foundations course in early childhood curriculum planning. In the course, students design and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children. The key learning demands in HD 321 are that students develop, implement, and reflect on their teaching practices. Students learn best practices in teaching young children, assessing their learning and development, and guiding their behavior. Students develop their teacher identities and philosophies of practice as well.     Course enhancement methods will focus on: fully leveraging distance students' limited disposable time; integrating their tangible, real-world experience in their learning (as many are already practicing professionals); supporting optimal student engagement through creative and engaging instruction and supporting instructional methods/technologies; and maximizing the accessibility of all UA resources to distance learners.    IMPROVING LIVES AROUND THE WORLD 9/12/2018   Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif traveled to Dubai recently to share insights about the science behind touch for normal infant development. She delivered her lecture at an International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) conference. Hernandez-Reif also conducted two breakout workshops where attendees heard a lecture about the "science" of touch, followed by a video of infant massage. The midwives then had an opportunity to practice infant massage techniques on dolls.  Midwives from the Middle East, Africa and Asia attended the conference. Dr. Hernandez-Reif found them to the very engaged in learning, knowledgeable and ultramodern especially in terms of social media. A highlight of the conference was meeting the conference keynote speaker, Princess Muna Al Hussein of Jordan. One of Dr. Hernandez-Reif's take-aways from the experience was – “how much alike women are all over the world in terms of values related to children and parenting.” Visiting Scientist Collaborates with Human Development Faculty 5/8/2018   Visiting Scholar, Dr. Judith Danovitch, with Dr. Jason Scofield. Dr. Judith Danovitch, a scientist and professor from the University of Louisville who studies child development, arrived on our campus May 3 to team up with faculty member Dr. Jason Scofield on a research project. The pair are working on a study about how young children share information they have learned about science and math with others – looking at “children as teachers.”  In addition to this research collaboration, Danovitch will spend time with students and other faculty while at UA. Danovitch’s visit is her second of four that will take place during 2018 as part of the CHES Visiting Scholars Program. Danovitch serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Louisville. She is one of the principal investigators in the university’s Knowledge in Development (KID) Lab. Her research interest centers on ways children seek out and evaluate knowledge throughout their development. Recent publications of hers have appeared in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, the British Journal of Developmental Psychology and Child Development. Danovitch earned an AB in psychology and biology from Harvard University and a PhD in psychology from Yale University. The Visiting Scholars Program, supported by the CHES Leadership Board, pairs our faculty with outstanding scientists in their field. Scofield is enthusiastic about participating in the program, saying, “It’s great for College visibility. It’s great for the faculty member hosting the visiting scientist. And it’s great for producing important new science.”  All of which encourages growth in research at CHES and enables us to continue improving lives.  CHES Visiting Scientist Program from The University of Alabama - CHES on Vimeo. Award from JSCC 4/14/2017   Dr. Carroll Tingle (L) receives her award  April 6, 2017- Dr. Carroll Tingle received an award from Jefferson State Community College for her tireless efforts to improve collaboration between two and four year colleges to provide quality, easy-to-navigate online programs for child development students to advance from CDA to AA to BA degrees (and beyond!) so that they are able to  work in First Class Pre-K classrooms and other well-compensated early childhood jobs. Dr. Tingle has served as the department chair of Human Development and Family Studies since 2007 and has been a pioneer in the delivery of classes via telecommunications technology as well as a strong advocate for students completing their early childhood education degree in obtaining  state teacher certification. ​Congratulations Dr. Tingle! SHanghai Normal University Exchange Program 3/9/2017   As a result of a two-year exchange program agreement with Shanghai Normal University, Tianhua College, CHES' Department of Human Development and Family Studies trains educators from China in early childhood development and research.  The department has hosted a summer institute for 25 teachers and administrators from Shanghai, and our faculty have mentored teachers during the academic year for the last four semesters. Faculty serving as mentors are:  Sherwood Burns-Nader, Maria Hernandez-Reif, Cecile Komara, Mary Liz Curtner-Smith and April Kendrick. In March of 2017, our college entered an additional phase of the relationship with HDFS faculty traveling to China to present classes in early childhood development, research in the discipline, early childhood curricula, program administration and evaluation.  April Kendrick will be in Shanghai beginning March 8th to meet with students, teachers and administrators and present a number of topics related to early childhood education.  In May/June 2017, Cecile Komara and Mary Liz Curtner-Smith will travel to Shanghai for additional training of Tianhua faculty.  This relationship has been valuable to both institutions, providing opportunities for cultural enhancement, international friendships and research collaboration. Chinese Delegation from Shanghai Normal University, Tianhua College

Author HDFS Department Archives September 2019 February 2019 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 May 2018 February 2018 April 2017 March 2017 October 2016 Categories All Award Child Life Early Childhood Exchange Program Lullaby Concert Training RSS Feed

HDFS.CHES.UA.EDU

ches home