Nice, Kylie

Position: Lecturer
Study area: Education
Location: Mt Helen Campus, T Building, Room 213
Phone: 5327 9722
Email: k.nice@federation.edu.au

Qualifications

Master of Education – University Of Ballarat - 2004

Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies - University of Melbourne - 1999

Diploma of Sustainability - University Of Ballarat – 2008

Diploma of Vocational Education and Training - University Of Ballarat – 2005

Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary Education) - University Of Ballarat – 2000

Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training - University Of Ballarat – 2003

Workplace Assessor (Train the Trainer) - University Of Ballarat – 1997

Associate Diploma Of Social Science – Pre-school Mothercraft Nurse (Child Care) - 1993

Teaching

Course(s)

  • Bachelor of Education (Birth-Year 6)

Units

  • Including Children with Additional Needs (EDECE1013)
  • Interacting with Children (EDECE1009)
  • Teacher Identity (EDECE1001)
  • Leadership and Advocacy (EDECE3019)
  • Investigating: Science and Environmental Education (EDECE2002)
  • Programming in Early Childhood (EDECE3005)
  • Play as Curriculum in Early Childhood Settings (EDECE3006)
  • Nature Pedagogy (EDECE3018)

Biography

Kylie is a Kindergarten Teacher working in the Faculty of Education and Arts. Kylie joined Federation University Australia in 1997 moving in the merger with the University of Ballarat and previous Wimmera Institute of TAFE. Previous to Federation University, Kylie worked at Edenhope Kindergarten where she was a Kindergarten Director and has previously been the Co-ordinator and room leader of Child Care Centres in country and metropolitan areas.

Areas of expertise

Kylie is predominantly an early childhood teacher working across a variety of areas. She has worked mostly in the area of early childhood and leadership with a specific interest into the phenomenon known as Education through Nature Play. Along with this, she has broad interests in other facets of early childhood education and students with diverse learning requirements. Kylie’s research interests can be slotted into three categories:

(1) Nature Pedagogy, Play and Learning

Kylie’s research into Nature Pedagogy and unstructured play examines the role that play in natural environments has on educational learning outcomes and the well being of individuals. In particular, the impact of learning with nature in nature through children’s interests is a specific interest of the research.

(2) Early Childhood Leadership advocacy and the Early Childhood teacher’s voice

As a former Kindergarten teacher and Child care Director, Kylie has a particular interest in the growing voices of Early Childhood Teachers and Educators. In more specific cases, Kylie is interested in the interplay between societal views of the role that Early Childhood Teachers play out in the community.

(3) Teaching diverse Learners through diverse teaching styles

Kylie has a strong commitment to understanding regional societies and communities and their needs and equity concerns around all facets of education. In relation to meeting diverse student needs, she has a strong commitment to exploring new teaching styles and delivery modes with consideration for equity across both the city and country. Kylie aims to continue working with Early Childhood students in regional communities around access issues and other important rural/regional issues in the Early Childhood Profession.

Research interests

  • Nature Pedagogy in the Early Years and the Australian context
  • Play as a means for learning across all educational settings
  • Sustainable Practices in the Early
  • Providing supportive learning environments that allow for diverse learning styles through online and distance education and varied presentation techniques.

Publications

Refereed conference proceedings

Lord, A., Burns, J., Nice, K. & Warden, C. 2016, ' Creating capacity to teach with nature to inspire new professionals', at Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2016, Federation University, Ballarat.

Other research details

Kylie is currently enrolled in a PhD at Federation University researching Nature Pedagogy and the teacher’s voices in the Early Years.

Associations

  • Early Childhood Australia
  • Victorian Institute of Teaching
  • International Nature Pedagogues
  • AMAZE
  • Sustainability Interest Group (Australia)