By Dr. Afnan Oyaid

Today's Lecture will cover Define Educational Technology The link between educational technology and early childhood education

What is Education Technology? Education technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources. It is the incorporation of Internet and other information technologies into the learning experience. Educational technology is the application of research, learning theory, emergent technologies, and child and adult psychology to solving instructional and performance problems.

Today all the technological tools are revolutionizing the classroom worldwide Have a look at how this process has begun.....

Why should I include technology in my early childhood classroom? Technology can be beneficial to all the major domains of child development. Cognitive Development Computers allow representation and actions not possible in the physical world. For example, children can manipulate variables such as gravity or speed, and discover the resulting effects (Clements, 1999; Seng, 1998). Compared to children in a similar classroom without computer experience, three- and four-year-olds who used computers with supporting activities had significantly greater gains in verbal and nonverbal skills, problem solving, abstraction, and conceptual skills (Haugland, 1992). Third-grade children who used both manipulatives and computer programs showed more sophistication in classification and logical thinking than children who used only manipulatives (Clements & Nastasi, 1993). Open-ended software — software that provides opportunities to discover, make choices, and find out the impact of decisions — encourages exploration, imagination, and problem solving.

Why should I include technology in my early childhood classroom? Physical and Motor Development Fine and gross motor skills develop at varying rates, and learning to write can be tedious and difficult as children struggle to form letters. A word processor allows them to compose and revise text without being distracted by the fine motor aspects of letter formation (Davis & Shade, 1994).

Why should I include technology in my early childhood classroom? Including technology as a part of classroom activities can be motivating, and allows students to learn, communicate, and share their knowledge and understanding in a wide variety of ways. Computers are intrinsically motivating for young children and contribute to cognitive and social development (National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC], 1996). Computers can enhance children's self-concept and improve their attitudes about learning (Sivin-Kachala & Bialo, 1994). Children demonstrate increased levels of spoken communication and cooperation during computer use (Clements, 1994; Haugland & Wright, 1997).

Why should I include technology in my early childhood classroom? Children share leadership roles on the computer, and initiate interactions more frequently (Clements, 1994; Haugland & Wright, 1997). Technology offers additional ways to learn, and to demonstrate learning. For some children who have unique learning styles, computers can reveal hidden strengths. At the computer, children can approach learning from a variety of perspectives and follow various paths to a goal (Clements, 1999). Computers and other forms of technology support literacy and encourage speaking, reading, writing, and listening, through formal and informal language opportunities. Technology can: Provide children with ways to express themselves Offer support for young learners Encourage reading and writing

Why should I include technology in my early childhood classroom? Providing Ways for Children to Express Themselves Young students can present or represent their learning in ways that make sense to them, using tools such as digital cameras, scanners, and computer software to show information, create pictures, build graphs, and share ideas. Children make up stories as they play, and frequently tell stories about the pictures they create. Technology offers a variety of ways for children to weave together words and pictures to tell their stories, then display them on the screen or print them.

Is there research to support the effectiveness of using computers in education with young children ?

Research about Technology with Young Children A national sample of school age children 13 and younger found a direct correlation was found between times spent computing at home and cognitive skill, self-esteem and well- being. When comparing the findings of cognitive tests of children with computers and children without computers, significant differences were found. This puts children with no computers at a disadvantage when it comes to academic performance.

More Research A computer is a tool that can enhance learning and should be made available to all children in order to give children an equal opportunity to achieve academically. Computer use also builds young children’s self- confidence, communication skills as well as their abilities to work cooperatively and socialize with their peers.

National Association for the Education of Young Children: Technology and Young Children Technology does now and will continue to play a significant role. Benefits of technology on children’s learning and development are well researched and documented. The developmentally appropriate use of computers must supplement or be a part of the early childhood curriculum, but not replace the important activities of art, books, music, house center, dramatic play, blocks, and sand and water.

NAEYC – Thoughts continued The sounds and graphics attract the children. The children want to play on the computers that they see their parents use. Developmentally appropriate software can engage the children in creative play, mastery learning, problem solving and conversation. The children can individualize the computers in areas of pacing and activities. They can experiment with various activities, make decisions, repeat a process, advance an activity level, and share their discoveries and creations.

…Technology and Young Children Computers encourage positive socialization among young children and their peers. When children work with a computer, they want to share and work with their classmates. With the access to the Internet and user friendly networks young children can communicate with children everywhere and take electronic field trips that bring to their world the cultures and places from all over the world.

Final Thoughts The time with technology should not replace the time that young children have with learning experiences of play, music, and art. Early childhood teachers must be prepared to use technology to benefit the children because in future technology will be significant in their life. The research that supports those young children given the opportunity to explore with computers enhances their social, language, and cognitive skills. Computers properly used with administrative support teacher training, correct software, right environment, attentive to time, needs, abilities, and developmentally appropriate activities, technology will have a positive impact on young children’s learning.