EARLY CHILDHOOD TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

Bobbi Prince, ET8019Barrera Veterans Elementary PK Teacher

How should technology be used in an early childhood classroom?

While many people feel student use of technology in an early childhood classroom is not developmentally appropriate, they must remember these students are digital natives. These students have not known a life without technology such as cell phones, HD color television, digital cameras and computers. They are not used to traditional forms of learning where the teacher lectures and they have to sit still. In order to keep their attention, there must be a mix of teacher lecture, song and dance, manipulation of objects and technology. Teachers should not expect that these students be exposed to or use technology at all times. “Appropriate use of technology in the classroom is to expand, enrich, implement, individualize, differentiate, and extend the overall curriculum” (Wardle). This can be achieved through detailed planning and collaboration with technology leaders on your campus.

Flash Cards for Kids and Right Brain Learning

“Images are easier to implant in the mind and it is more practical learning. That is why more pre-school teaching methods have changed and the use of flash cards for teaching children has become more popular” (Watson, 2010).

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FlashcardFriends.com

Flashcardfriends.com is a social network for creating and sharing online, self-testing flashcards.

•Online flashcards with a self-testing mode•Can create your own or modify others on the site•Teacher or students create them•Can create a tab for your favorite decks•Can add friends for easier sharing•Various languages available to assist with ESL students

Flashcardfriends.com

“Whiteboards utilize a synchronous transmission mode. Synchronous transmission modes provide two-way interaction between the teacher or student and the medium. This level of participation allows a wider range of participation by the student, leading to an increased state of engagement, and an enhanced learning environment “ (Bryant & Hunton, 2000).

Student Engagement, Visual Learning and Technology: Can Interactive Whiteboards Help?

Click to view a short video of a student using an ActivBoard.Video courtesy of Bobbi Prince, PK Teacher, Barrera Veterans Elementary

PrometheanPlanet.com

Promethean Planet is a whiteboard community specifically for use with Promethean ActivBoards and accessories.

*Teachers can download flipcharts for any subject including math, social studies, language arts, study skills and vocational education among others

* The search tool searches by age, subject, theme or resource type

* Teachers (or students) can create flipcharts to upload to the site and share with other educators

* Resources available include blogs, the Teachers Lounge and various videos to show how to use the various ActivBoard tools to create extremely interactive flipcharts

* The site includes an extensive selection of Professional Development opportunities such as online courses, webinars, Teacher Feature and ActivTips

What’s the Plan?

Flashcardfriends.com is an online flashcard creator with self-testing sharing capabilities

Prometheanplanet.com has numerous opportunities for professional development

Both the students and I will use flashcardfriends.com to create classroom specific flashcards to use in class and share with others

I will use the professional development opportunities on Prometheanplanet.com to further my education and create fun, appealing flipcharts for my class and others

What I learned: What I will do:

The Future of Early Childhood Learns and Technology

According to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (2003), “Preschool children are one of the fastest growing groups online .”

Preschool children are beginning school with various levels of technology knowledge. Whether teachers like it or not, they will have to use more technology and allow their students to use it. This will result in easier classroom management and students who are better prepared for their future. Not only will other teachers have to be the models but administrators will also lead this movement.

References

Bryant, S. M. and Hunton, J. E. (2000). The use of technology in the delivery of instruction: implications for accounting educators and education researchers. Issues in Accounting Education, 15(1), 129-163. Retrieved June 18, 2001 from Academic Search Elite on GALILEO: http://www.galileo.peachnet.edu

Corporation for Public Broadcasting, (2003). Connectedto the future: A report on children’s Internet use. Retrieved (October 20, 2006, from www.cpb.org/stations/repports/connected/connected_report.pdf

Wardle, Francis, and Ph.D.. "Early childhood NEWS - Article Reading Center." Early childhood NEWS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. <http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=302>.

Watson, Carlton. "Flash Cards For Kids And Right Brain Learning - Reader Spot Articles." Reader Spot - Knowledge & Learning Resources. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2011. <http://readerspot.com/articles/education/flash-cards-for-kids-and-right-brain-learning.html>.