Dr JACQUELINE BASQUILL

An early years specialist who has had considerable practical experience in the field. Has been involved with Early Years Professional Status since its conception and has co authored the EYPS Handbook. I led the undergraduate pathways to EYPS when the new programme commenced in January 2012. Now leads the Foundation Degree in Early Years Education and Leadership and BA(Hons) Early Years Leadership and BA(Hons) Early Years Education.
A constant interest has been the use of ICT in education, from the youngest children to mature students and my thesis is based on the use of technology in the Early Years. I focus on the pedagogy of early years and how technology can be integrated into this, enhancing children's learning experiences and giving innovative opportunities to support, consolidate and extend their knowledge, skills and understanding. I have developed a variety of online programmes and researched the use of peer observations to support online teaching and use of mobile technologies to develop learning opportunities in economically challenged environments.

I am passionate about outdoor learning and have trained as a Beach School practitioner and currently engaging in a Forest School programme. I am paricularly interested in the use of technology to enhance outdoor experiences for young children. The title of my thesis is 'Technology in the Early Years - a tool not a substitute' and I believe that taking this approach improves children's understanding and use of technology, widens their experience of digital resources and leads to more in depth learning experiences which supports children to use technology effectively and constructively as they grow.