Friday, April 15, 2016

Integration

Integration of technology should be interactive at the preschool level.  Young children have short attention spans and cannot be expected to sit or do an online blended course.  Learning at the preschool level is very hands on and children learn through play.  Before preschool students can do a blended or any online course, they must first be exposed to technology.

According to NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), one principle to guide the appropriate use of technology and interactive media as tools in early childhood programs is when it is integrated into the environment, curriculum, and daily routines. Once implemented, media should be part of the routine and the focus should be on the extension of the lesson that is being taught, not on the technology.  They also recommend that passive screen technology usages are not recommended but interactive media should be used to enhance lessons that are being taught and not replace the lessons themselves.

One lesson that I created which integrated technology into the classroom was using iPad technology to enhance a letter recognition and writing letters lesson.  I start by introducing letters to the children and discuss the sounds of the letters.  After introducing the letters, we will practice writing the letters.  When forming the letters, we will work on conventions of writing/reading such as: writing top to bottom, lifting the writing instrument off of the paper or iPad, and going from left to right.  Using the iPad Little Writer App to enhance the lesson will also improve hand/eye coordination with preschool students.

A second lesson that I created which integrated technology into the classroom, was using iPad technology to reinforce a lesson about identifying, recognizing, and naming shapes.  I start by introducing shapes to the students and we discuss what the shapes look like.  We will discuss the number of sides, curvy lines, straight lines, etc.  After introducing and discussing the shapes, we will look at pictures of shapes and find them in our environment using iPad cameras.  Students will be given individual practice writing shapes on the iPad using the Little Writer App.

All of the points listed above further prove that online or blended learning is not appropriate for preschool students.  The online format would not be conductive for young children but should be integrated into their daily routine or curriculum at school.   As an educator, I try to incorporate those positive technology experiences into lessons.   Some children have never even used a computer or a mouse to navigate.  The children should be exposed to the technology in school. Preschool students are getting computer screen time at school; their screen time should be limited at home.  According to Mary Ellen Mazza, “Young children are still learning to focus and self-regulate, so short, purposeful use of interactive media can bring a creative advantage to children.

Resources:

 "Technology and Young Children." NAEYC. NAEYC. Web. 7 Feb. 2016.

Mazza, Mary Ellen; Bright Ideas for Blended Learning: How We Teach Preschool: Respecting the Student and Teacher esparklearning; Jan. 18.2016

http://blog.esparklearning.com/how-we-teach-preschool

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