The Centre for Childhood, Development and Learning (ChDL) embraces staff from a number of academic disciplines: developmental psychology, childhood and youth studies, education, anthropology, cultural studies and sociology. There are 17 academic and research staff members located at Walton Hall, 2 academic staff located in regional offices, 7 full time postgraduate students and 3 Ed.D. post-graduate students. Support is provided by 1.5 secretarial staff.
Our teaching ranges from openings modules to higher degrees. Important strands are in Developmental Psychology, Childhood and Youth Studies and Education.
In the case of the Psychology Programme we are responsible for the level 2 undergraduate module Child Development (ED209) (about 3000 students a year) which is part of the Psychology Qualification. In addition, we are involved in two post-graduate modules both of which are components of the Masters in Education programme. Educational Enquiry (E891) is concerned with research methods and Understanding Children’s Development and Learning (ED841) brings together both psychology and education, with it being one of the highest recruiting modules on the Masters in Education programme.
In the case of the Childhood and Youth Studies Programme we make significant contributions to pathways associated with Degrees and other qualifications in Childhood and Youth Studies. Our Level 2 undergraduate module Childhood (U212) is taken by all students in the BA (Hons) in Childhood and Youth Studies Qualification programme and attracts over a thousand students a year. The Centre also contributes the level 3 module Research with Children and Young People (EK310) which is the other compulsory module in the undergraduate programme; it attracts an annual registration of over 600 students. We also provide the post-graduate provision to a cross-faulty Masters award in Childhood and Youth Studies with Children and Young People’s Worlds: Framework for Integrated Practice (E807).
In addition, members of ChDL contribute their expertise to the development and presentation of other modules in the faculty and beyond. We are involved in the running of an Openings Module (Understanding Children,Y156), and we contribute to Foundation Qualifications in Early and Primary Years Education. Another contribution is the child psychology content of the new Psychology qualification. In addition, we are developing an introductory modules concerning childhood and child psychology.
Research in the Faculty is organised within the Centre for Research in Education and Educational Technology (CREET). Most members of ChDL are members of the Child and Youth Studies Research Group. CYSG is also the home of the pioneering Children’s Research Centre. ChDL has a very strong research orientation with 80% of permanent staff members being entered in the OU 2007 RAE submission to the Education panel. Since 2001 we have been involved in research grants with an income of over £3 million and we have a strong publication record. ChDL has good laboratory facilities for recording and editing, together with an eye tracking facility.
Members of the Centre are academic advisors to the BBC1 programme Child of Our Time and have been responsible for the related information available on Open2.net.