"A dialogue about the profession - preschool-and multicultural education" is a new course designed for university students of foreign origin who are studying preschool teacher education at the University of Iceland. The course is a part of the University's plan of action to strengthen preschool teacher education and work in preschools in a multicultural society. This is the first course of this kind within the University that is designed to support students of foreign origin within a certain subject.
The course is set up so that students attend twice a month over the semester for 90 minutes at a time. The studies are both discussions and project work in on-site classes and in the learning management system Canvas. Emphasis is placed on independent work, responsibility and student participation. The course subjects include the preschools' national curriculum, cultural sensitivity, language stimulation, and education for everyone. Assistance with written projects and reading of academic articles will be provided.
"In preschools run by the the City of Reykjavík 18% of the children are of foreign origin and in some schools the percentage is higher. The part of preschool staff who has another mother tongue than Icelandic has grown considerably in recent years and concurrently immigration to Iceland has increased. It is thus of dire importance that work in preschools in a modern society reflect the diversity of our existence," says Kristín Karlsdóttir, the course supervisor, and adds that contribution from children of foreign origin and their parents enrich the daily work in preschools in various ways, creating opportunities to get to know other cultures and languages.
The course is 5 credits and is open to other students wishing to strengthen their professional discourse in education. Four international faculty members teach the course, Artem Ingmar Benediktsson, Susan Rafik Hama, Renata Emilsson Pesková and Anna Katarzyna Wozniczka who have vast experience in the field of multiculturalism and pedagogy.
Further information can be found in the course catalogue. The final day to review course registration for spring semester 2021 is 21 January, the course starts the same day.