"Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important"
- Bill Gates
I've had the opportunity over the past 4 months to explore the role of technology in the lives of young children. What I have found most thought-provoking is that there simply isn't enough research out there to determine how much of an impact technology can have on early childhood programs. Current research has challenged my thinking to become cautious about what software and programs are being used with technology. This has inspired me to educate families on the importance of really knowing exactly what we are exposing our children to. Just because technology is marketed as educational, does not mean that it actually provides positive developmental benefits for children. What the field would truly benefit from is more research, and additional professional development for early childhood educators. I believe that technology should be used as a tool in the early childhood setting, but not as a replacement for interactions. Just as with any activity, technology must be developmentally appropriate, intentional, and interactive.
"There can be infinite uses of new age technology, but if teachers themselves are not able to bring it into the classroom and make it work, then it fails."
- Nancy Kassebaum
For additional reading, check out the links below!
"Facing the Screen Dilemma: Young Children, Technology, and Education" @ http://www.allianceforchildhood.org
The Create Lab at CMU @ http://www.cmucreatelab.org
Advice for Parents in the Digital Age @ http://www.fredrogerscenter.org/media/resources/Elearticle_041712.pdf
Ele Early Learning Environment @
http://ele.fredrogerscenter.org
Tech For a Global Early Childhood @
http://globalearlyed.wordpress.com
I agree that technology is imperative in this day and age. Our technological world is advancing so dramatically that children will have to understand how to use it to survive in their future world. With so little research being done on the benefits of technology in the classroom, this could be an avenue you pursue after you complete your degree. It would be great to see your name on a professional journal article!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read David Warlick's quote, I was thinking about a debate that was in our school several years ago. Has technology replaced the need to teach handwriting? It would be interesting to see how technology influenced handwriting instruction and what will be the impact in the next few years.
ReplyDeleteHI Johanna,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your title, technology predicament. I also referenced the Facing the Screen Dilemma. Technology is only as valuable as the programs being used and the instruction that goes along. Children sitting passively at a computer instead of teacher child interaction for extended periods is scary. Thanks for the post.
Sharon Lloyd
Johanna,
ReplyDeleteI like the topic you are addressing. The world has changed since you and I were in the classroom as a young student. We have to meet the times of technology change, but with caution. What I have come to realize is that in many of our early learning environments the computers are in the room, but not being used. Recently I have been in four different schools where computers were in the rooms and the children were not using them. When I asked the teacher why, each one stated that the programs on the computer were not appropriate for their class and age of child. One of the teachers told me that the computer was only in the room because it was required by their program but no one was interested in using them, not even the teachers.
I agree with the statement that Sharon made in that children are sitting passively at the computer and many of them do not learn to communicate or interact with others. I have a friend who has two children and they have been in an early learning environment since eight weeks of age. They are teenagers now and have learned computers, have cell phones, ipods, and other electronic games. Their world is totally electronic and their mother is concerned because these two children cannot communicate appropriately with others. Yes, some of it is the typical teenage years, but they have difficulty interacting with others and feel most comfortable with their electronic devices. Technology is great and is a tool that can be used to help students in their academics, but it must be used properly so that it does not take the place of human interaction.
Darla