This training series is designed to provide an introduction to technical assistance for professionals at Child Care Resource & Referral organizations (CCR&Rs.) During this four-part series, participants will:
- Understand the fundamentals and benefits of technical assistance within CCR&R organizations.
- Provide an overview of current research and best practices around the provision of technical assistance.
- Provide a strong foundation for CCR&R Technical Assistance specialists, ensuring they are well-prepared to provide effective support.
- Foundations of Technical Assistance
Reflection is a tool that allows TA recipients to translate theories and information into best practices. Reflective Practice is the “cycle of ongoing learning that occurs when early childhood professionals take the time to stop, think, challenge and change their practices in order to incorporate new understandings and advance children’s learning and development.”
This section also covers individual learning styles and the importance of understanding these styles as part of the unique and tailored TA delivery. Consider the four models of adult learning styles:
- ERA Cycle – Experience, Reflection, Action
- Driscoll’s What Model – What? So what? Now what?
- Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle – Concrete experience, Reflective observation, Abstract conceptualization, Active experimentation
- Gibb’s Reflective Cycle – Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, Action plan
Homework: Self-reflect on your own personal learning style and how that translates to ensuring that all learning styles are taken into consideration during TA. Write a paragraph on your self-reflection and what you learned about your learning style.
