Deirdre Grogan

I am currently a senior knowledge exchange fellow who specialises in early years education from 3 to 8. I ensure that students are fully engaged in their own learning giving them a comprehensive knowledge of early years pedagogy.

My focus in Knowledge Exchange has its foundations in strong, active and innovative networks that operate in local, regional and national contexts. This character is a strength and essential to the pedagogic, collaborative and research aims that underpin it. I believe that within these contexts, I have a strong and recognised track record specifically in the field of early years education. This has resulted in successfully securing a range of contracts, including in this academic year, which are clearly set to development further across Local Authorities in Scotland. My reputation is as an academic who develops new knowledge exchange programmes driven by robust research methodologies and innovative techniques. 

My research focuses on creativity and young children.  A recent study observed young children using traditional toys and motorised toys within nurseries and the Glasgow Science Centre. A framework was designed for teachers and practitioners to use when observing young children which allows them to track the level of creativity . Further funding applications are being submitted in order to develop this study.

I am presently tracking different methods of documenting young children's learning within the nursery sector and early primary to establish the effect on children's thinking.

I also deliver a range of inservice courses to early years practitioners and teachers, where my role is to support their development and to address any questions and issues eg

• Creating effective learning environments for young children
• Engagement and Interaction
• Documenting young children's learning
• Literacy and the young child

I was commissioned by Dundee City council and East Dunbartonshire council to deliver a keynote on literacy and creativity and young children.

This year I was involved along with Bernadette Duffy (Thomas Coran Centre), Dr Christine Stephens (University of Stirling) in designing an Early Years Seminar Series for early years practitioners and teachers from across Scotland.

I have been commissioned by East Ayrshire Council to work with Primary 1 teachers to develop an active pedagogy for young children. Auditing learning environments, learning experiences resulting in more play based education and child led planning.

I am working with a range of local authorities to develop a play based pedagogy with young children.  This consists of intensive training for teachers including coaching and mentoring and developing reflection skills.