Orientation Interview – Dr Jo Bird (EDEC105)

Dr Jo Bird was kind enough to sit down with Ben and Kim in the studio and converse about her history as an educator and discuss what her unit would entail for first-year students.

Dr Bird’s role at UNE is that of a Lecturer in early childhood education. She is a member of the early childhood education team within the School of Education itself and her research interests include children’s use of technology, play and play-based learning using digital technology to enhance learning and childhood leadership.

This background has resulted in Dr Bird being given the role of Unit Coordinator for EDEC105 – Pedagogy of Play, which introduces play as a learning tool for young children from birth to five years of age. The unit focuses on planning and implementing play environments and play experiences to extend childhood learning; and includes the role of the play environment, resources, families, other adults and child communities. More information on this essential unit can be found here.

This interview is part of a series of Orientation Interviews, designed to make first-year students feel more at ease and reassured about what they can expect at UNE. Starting out at University can be highly overwhelming and we want to make sure that we do everything we can to ensure that students feel as comfortable as possible.

Students with questions or concerns about starting this unit can contact Dr Bird directly via email at jo.bird@une.edu.au or by phone on 02 6773 5802. Her full profile can be found here.