Scribd
Upload
44 views13 pages

Technology in Early Childhood Education

The document discusses the role of technology in early childhood education, emphasizing the importance of integrating it with various learning experiences to enhance children's cognitive and social development. It highlights the need for adult guidance and interaction during technology use, particularly for younger children who may not yet understand the significance of screen content. Ultimately, it advocates for a balanced approach where technology complements traditional learning tools rather than replacing them.

Uploaded by

tafakhura
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
44 views13 pages

Technology in Early Childhood Education

The document discusses the role of technology in early childhood education, emphasizing the importance of integrating it with various learning experiences to enhance children's cognitive and social development. It highlights the need for adult guidance and interaction during technology use, particularly for younger children who may not yet understand the significance of screen content. Ultimately, it advocates for a balanced approach where technology complements traditional learning tools rather than replacing them.

Uploaded by

tafakhura
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 13

TECHNOLOGY IN

EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION

By: Mandy Galle EDUC W200 26754


Presentation Overview
Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom
 Summary

 Reflection

Technology in Early Childhood Education – Findin


g the Balance
 Summary

 Reflection

Learning and Technology


 Summary

 Reflection

Conclusion
Technology in the Early Childhood
Classroom
 Adults consistently model for children the use of
technology in everyday life.
 Technology needs to be introduced to children
“As with before they can be expected to use it
any independently.
learning  Instructional strategies coupled with technology
tool, can creative powerful learning experiences.
technolog  The use of technology helps children practice
y should skills and better understand concepts.
be used  Interactive educational games provide immediate
alongside feedback and encouragement to children.
a variety  Software can provide individualized instruction by
of learning allowing children to work at their own skill levels.
experienc  Multimedia provides nonlinguistic representation
es.” for learning subjects using a combination of
audio, video and interactivity.
Continued…
Identifying Similarities and
Homework and Practice
Differences
 Kidspiration (a software  Starfall
application)  BBC Little Animals Activity Game
 Humphrey Bear’s “What Doesn’t  Get Ready to Read
Belong?” Game
 National Institute of Environment
al Health Sciences
Nonlinguistic Generating and Testing
Representation Hypothesis
PBS Parents Creativity
Create a Graph
Challenge
National Geographic WildCam National Library of Virtual
AFRICA
PBS Kids Africa Manipulatives
Personal Reflection
There is an array of websites and software available to
scaffold learning in early childhood classrooms. “As
with any learning tool, technology should be used
alongside a variety of learning experiences.”
Elizabeth Ross Hubbell states, “Technology is and will
continue to be an integral part of classrooms,
workplaces and our everyday life. Using technology
helps early learners to communicate, practice life
skills, and better understand concepts. If used
pragmatically in the early childhood classroom,
students will be better equipped to begin using 21st
century tools independently as they enter elementary
schools.”
I believe that the use of technology in a classroom can
help bring a concept full circle for children. It’s not just
enough to tell children about a topic, you need to help
them experience it. Through the use of various forms
of media and technology, teachers can truly help
Technology in Early Childhood
Education – Finding the Balance
Children birth to age eight learn through play and
“Whatever
materials or
exploration. Technology in the classroom enhances
tools are learning in a variety of ways.
best suited  Computers motivate young children and contribute to
to the cognitive and social development.
activity will
be used;
 Computers can enhance children’s self concept and
sometimes their attitudes toward learning.
computers  Children show increased levels of spoken
are the best communication and cooperation during computer use.
tools for the
job, and
 Children share leadership roles and initiate
sometimes interactions more frequently. They engage in turn
they are not; taking and peer collaboration.
the secret is  Children tend to narrate what they are doing at the
knowing the computer as they type text or move objects around
difference.” on the screen.
Learning is a layered
process!
Using computers with supporting activities provides a
greater benefit than using any one thing alone.
Personal Reflection

“Whatever materials or tools are best suited to the


activity will be used; sometimes computers are the best
tool for the job, and sometimes they are not; the secret is
knowing the difference.” Teachers cannot rely on
technology alone to be the only method of learning in
their classrooms. Just as teachers cannot rely on only
books or manipulatives to explain a concept. All learning
needs to come from a variety of sources. Learning
becomes the most meaningful when children can
thoroughly understand and explore a concept. When
used in conjunction with other modes of learning,
technology can be a very powerful tool in the classroom.
Learning and Technology

Do images and From birth to age 3, the answers to these questions is


events on the usually “no”. Around the age of 3, the answers
screen represent begin to change from “no” to “yes”.
experiences that
have meaning Social Development
for the child?
 Computer use fosters social interactions.
Is the child able
to make  Place the computer in an area of the class that is
connections open for sharing. Place extra chairs at the computer
between what is
on the screen so that other children may participate.
and what is in
the real world?
 Ask children open ended questions about their work
on the computer.
Does the child
really
 Offer comments about what they are doing. The
understand who adult attention is important.
controls the
computer, or is Approaches Toward Learning
he/she randomly
hitting keys?
 Provide a lot of opportunities for children to interact
with many things in the classroom (blocks, dolls,
clay etc.)
Continued…

Make sure that connections are drawn from computer learning


to real world experiences by encouraging the children to use all
5 senses.
Limit screen time to less than 1 hour per day.
Language Development
Use open ended software that encourages thought and
conversation.
Make sure to use 3 dimensional objects to make the
connection between letter and number symbols seen on the
screen to the real world.
Cognition and General Knowledge
Help children understand the “if then” sequences on the
computer.
Explain what happens while they are on the computer. If you
press this button, this will happen.
Pay close attention to social interactions at the computer.
Personal Reflection

“Computers do not provide the kinds of learning they


(children under age 3) need for the growth and
development of social, emotional, and cognitive skills.” It
is important to remember that computers are not for
everyone. Children need to be ready to reap the benefits
of technology. Young children simply do not understand
that images on a screen could have any meaning for
them. It is important for older children to couple their
computer learning with other “real world” experiences. If
they are doing a lesson on the computer about how
plants grow, it is important for them to also physically
work with dirt and seeds and observe how plants grow.
Adult interaction with children during their computer time
is very important. As adults ask open ended questions, it
encourages more critical thinking from the child.
Conclusion
Computers in the
classroom enhance
learning. It is important to
remember that computers
must be used in
conjunction with a variety
of other materials to get the
most benefit from the
technology. Choose
software that makes sense.
Encourage conversation
between students at the
computer. Expand
concepts by providing “real
world” experiences. You
can provide an enriching
learning environment for
your students!
References
Hubbell, Elizabeth Ross. (March 2007). Technology in the
Early Childhood Classroom. Learning Connections.
Retrieved April 18, 2009 from
http://www.mcrel.org/pdf/educationtechnology/9713IR_Tec
hEarlyChildhood.pdf
Unknown. (June 2001). Technology in Early Childhood
Education – Finding the Balance. NWREL. Retrieved April
18, 2009 from
http://www.nwrel.org/request/june01/technology.html
Unknown. Learning and Technology. Early Connections.
Retrieved April 18, 2009 from
http://www.netc.org/earlyconnections/childcare/technology.
html

You might also like