Considerations in Using Technology in ECED

STUDENT

1. Qualities• Their nature • As manipulators of the world• Needs 2. The need for real life and well-balanced

experiences3. The need for culture-free programs

DID YOU KNOW THAT... the human brain has a tremendous bias for visually presented information?

Visually oriented programs (as television, movies, videos and computer programs) therefore maintain the attention of young children.

As Manipulators of the WorldChildren are natural manipulators of the world. They learn through controlling their movements between objects in their world. Technology allows interaction. Thus, they can control the pace and make things happen with it.

Needs• We must be sensitive to the developmental needs

and learning styles as we serve diversity of children. • Special needs should be considered in the use of

technology. Specialized programs allow children see written words and see visual image and hear sounds all at the same; combining these modalities help a child efficiently internalize a topic.

The Need For Real Life and Well-balanced Experiences

REFLECT ON THE FORMULA :TECHNOLOGY + REAL PEOPLE = Well Balanced Experiences

REPORTERS SAY: Technology can enhance real experiences, not fill up the learning. We can take advantage of its benefits but never let it do all the teaching.

Example: Sitting down together using educational programs is very cognitive experience. They can lean to read, predict, laugh and learn how to win.

WHILE TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP US TEACH CHILDREN, IN THE END OUR CHILDREN LEARN FROM US.

The Need for Culture-Free Programs

Example of a BIASED PROGRAM/ VIDEO: You are allowed to view the video one time (and must be closed after).

Click the following each link only once to navigate to the page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJWwOta-5ig&feature=channel

Culture in its broadest sense is cultivated behavior; that is the totality of a person's learned, accumulated experience which is socially transmitted. Thus, ones schema is important in meaningful learning. If a child doesn’t have the schema to be begin with, we won’t be able to acquire something new.

TEACHER

1. Their Skills2. Goals, Objectives and Principles3. Issues and Misuse and Inappropriate Access

Their SkillsTeacher training is essential for the different

technologies to become effective teaching tools. Training opportunities enable teachers to build skills and confidence to integrate it in the classroom.

DID YOU KNOW THAT.. the four critical components of training are: practical experiences, workshops, models and mentors and supervisory follow-up?

Goals, Objectives and Principles

• The use of technology in the ECE program must not be the goal itself: THE PURPOSE IS NOT TO TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO USE COMPUTERS because they can do this as they get older. Appropriate use of technology is to expand, enrich implement, individualize differentiate and extend over-all curriculum. It must support the learning and the curriculum; it does not provide the learning.

Issues and Misuse and Inappropriate Access

• Multi-media issues should be considered to control access content that may not be developmentally appropriate. Adults must protect children from misuse or inappropriate content and create a more sensitive one.

Which do you think is an appropriate computer game for a preschool child? A or B? Justify.

You are allowed to explore both of games for 3-5 minutes only (and must be closed after).

Click the following each link only once to navigate to the page.

A. Fishing Missionhttp://funschool.kaboose.com/preschool/games/game_fishin_mission.html

B. Beary Heart http://www.tomsgames.com/game-7911-play-love-overdose.php

TECHNOLOGY TOOLS• Good software programs which are engaging

and developmentally appropriate

Choose software programs that:1. Encourage exploration, imagination, and problem solving 2. Reflect and build on what children already know 3. Involve many senses and include sound, music, and voice 4. Is open-ended, with the child in control of the pace and

the path

Some Child-Friendly Preschool Videos to Watch(You are given 5 minutes to browse all the ff URL)

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF4QkY1eyMA&feature=fvw

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUjd-OlHQ4o&feature=related

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCVnaeoQNcw&feature=channel

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y3WoOlhp3M&feature=related

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

1. Physical EnvironmentAttention to environmental design provides children with computer learning environment that is safe, pleasant, interesting and accessible.

Technology Tools

1. Good software programs should be engaging, developmentally appropriate and purpose is for EDUTAINMENT.

Characteristics of Software Programs1. Encourage exploration, imagination, and problem solving.2. Reflect and build on what children already know .3. Involve many senses and include sound, music and voice.4. Be open-ended, with the child in control of the pace and the path.

DID YOU KNOW THAT ...-children should have an opportunity to experience hands-on opportunity to explore 4-5 software programs?

-the ratio of one computer to seven students, the best being one to five? (Haughland, 1999)

-the computer center should have several chairs close by to encourage children work together?

REPORTERS SAY: There are more supplementary articles worth reading and reflecting! Here’s a list to click and learn from:

1. http://www.ehow.com/list_6549799_technology-education-primary-schools.html

2. http://www.slideshare.net/dididolan/incorportating-multimedia-technology-in-the-preschool-classroom

3. http://www.slideshare.net/tara.vogelsberg/technology-and-the-early-childhood-classroom

4. Recommended Preschool Site for fun and learning: http://funschool.kaboose.com/preschool/index.html

COME TO THINK OF IT, technology isn’t going away.

These technologies are revolutionizing the world we live

in; so our task is to balance appropriate skill-development

with the core principles necessary to raise healthy

children.