As posted earlier, I chose NAEYC as my website to explore and this week their newsletter published an article about Technology in the Preschool Classroom that coincides with the professional development happening in my district as we are all getting IPADS in September to supplement our students' learning. NAEYC and Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media got together and conducted studies and created a position statement that is in favor of using tablets in the classroom, one really good reason is that children don't have to know how to handle a mouse to navigate touch screens which is great for children with fine motor delays. They believe that "young children need opportunities to develop the early 'technology-handling' skills associated with early digital literacy that are akin to the 'book-handling' skills associated with early literacy development." (NAEYC, 2013). I also learned through this newsletter that there are over 5000,000 apps available in all subjects, with 58% of those apps geared toward preschoolers. What a great tool!
This article made me view the technology in the classroom in a whole new way because I see a lot of children struggling with computer skills and mouse handling, so I'm very happy that research is pushing for tablets in the classroom. I also think it will be a great asset to teachers taking anecdotes for assessments.
The newsletter also contained an article about Obama's historic budget proposal for 2014 which calls for 75 billion dollars over the next 10 years for preschool education. It's called "Preschool for All" which I really hope passes. He is a big supporter of early childhood education and I can't imagine the change that would create for families struggling with child care and the jobs it will create for teachers and the advancement it will create for children in general. GO OBAMA!!!!!
Last, but not least, I learned through the website that they are offering
It seems like the website you picked has some really great information. I think that having tablets in the classroom is a wonderful idea, it seems to me now more than ever children can navigate the IPad and tablet better than adults! I look forward to reading more about your website as the class goes on!
ReplyDeleteThe enhancement of technology devices is a great assess in the learning environment. Various technology devices can be used in the classroom to enhance the student's awareness of different skills and concepts learned in the classroom. Students tends to grasp learned information if they are able to have an hands-on learning experiences. Therefore, I think IPads, tablets, and other current technology devices will be great to have in the learning environment.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think tech tools are great but it is up to the teacher to incorporate it in the learning activities with adequate supervision and engagement.