Welcome
Meet Dr. Sweta Patel
Academic Biography
Dr. Sweta Patel brings a wealth of experience in Early Childhood Education, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, and Immigrant Studies, cultivated through a dynamic career spanning teaching, research, and leadership roles. She has served as a Kindergarten Teacher, Centre Director, and Trainer and Assessor in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. Currently, she is a Lecturer at RMIT University, where she coordinates courses that connect theory with practice, such as “Being in Early Years” and “Becoming in Early Years with WIL.”
Dr. Patel’s teaching philosophy revolves around fostering constructivist, collaborative, and reflective learning environments. She believes in bridging theory with practice and empowering students to grow both personally and professionally. A proponent of culturally responsive pedagogy, Dr. Patel emphasizes the transformative power of understanding cultural and lived experiences in education.
Her dedication to lifelong learning and evidence-based teaching has earned her recognition as a leader in her field. She has also contributed significantly to the academic community as a mentor, committee member, and advocate for student well-being.
Constructivist
I consider knowledge to be socially co-constructed, where students and teachers learn from each other. My approach is to foster learning environments that prioritise peer-based and student-led learning.
Connections
I believe in the transformative power of lived experiences. I dedicate time to understanding how culture and relationships influence my students learning journeys. This awareness forms the foundation of my pedagogical approaches centered on personalised learning and creating inclusive and culturally responsive environments.
Reflective
I embrace the philosophy of reflective practice as a powerful tool to help learners develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others. This deliberate approach aims to foster a dynamic learning environment where learners actively self-reflect to nurture their personal growth and continually enhance their professional skills.
Education and Credentials
- Doctor of Philosophy (Education) – Monash University, 2023.
- Master of Education (Research) – Monash University, 2009.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care – S.N.D.T University, Mumbai, India, 2007.
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116) – Australia.
Research Experience
Co-Researcher
Faculty of Education, Monash University (Current)
- Project: Investigating doctoral students’ experiences of academia.
Research Assistant
Faculty of Education, Monash University, 2023
- Project 1:Harnessing Generative AI for Adult Learners
- Focused on supporting disadvantaged groups in the SEE project, collaborating with Professor Michael Henderson, Dr. Katrina Tour, Associate Professor Melissa Barnes, Dr. Ed Creely, and Dr. Peter Waterhouse.
- Project 2:E-Assessment for Hub for Educational Design and Innovation
- Explored innovative approaches to online examinations, led by Professor Michael Henderson.
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Faculty of Education, Monash University
- Focus: Conducted a narrative-based qualitative study examining the experiences of immigrant early childhood educators and factors influencing their pedagogical decisions.
- Guided by Associate Professor Megan Adams and Associate Professor Fida Sanjakdar.
- Applied creative methodologies, including interviews, Appadurai’s theory, and photo-elicitation techniques.
- Demonstrated strong critical thinking by evaluating existing knowledge, identifying research gaps, conducting comprehensive literature reviews, and synthesizing information.
Role: Research Assistant
Faculty of Education, Monash University (2021)
Responsibilities:
- Support the Research Project Leader, Professor Michael Henderson
- Data coding and analysis.