What are some of the best technologies to implement into the Early Childhood Education Classroom?
 

I've been thinking about how to best utilize appropriate technologies to benefit preschool students.  I don't want to use a technology simply to say that technologies are being incorporated into the preschool classroom.  Just like any teaching tool, I want technologies to be used because they are utterly beneficial, they enhance the learning, and because they are the best way to convey a message. 

So what have we talked about that is appropriate for the little ones?

Smartboards, certainly.  I know many Orange County Schools have received Smartboards and the proper training for all grades...and the results are exciting.

Photo Courtesy of Kathy Cassidy via Flickr Creative Commons







Games, Apps, etc.  Yes--there is something out there to enhance many subjects and age groups.

Photo Courtesy of Tim Lauer via Flickr Creative Commons



Digital Media Authoring?  For preschoolers, perhaps as a whole-class project to recount a well-known story...





Prezi

 



But most importantly of all, I think it is essential for Educators to have the proper technological training and to be able to decide what is helpful, essential, or best for their students' learning. 

I've come across several good blog postings about the importance of teachers continuing their professional education...to include current technologies, of course.  Here are some from Scott McCleod's blog, http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/

Struggling with educators' lack of technology fluency

 

Educators need learning advocacy, not technology advocacy

What are educators' professional obligations to learn from social media channels?

 

 

The more I learn, the more it seems that if educators have the right knowledge and training, technologies of all kinds will come to mind when planning lessons, even in the Early Childhood Classroom.

 

 



 References:

 

 

Flickr. 2012. Retrieved 25 October, 2012 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathycassidy/4484720788/

 

Flickr. 2012. Retrieved 25 October, 2012 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/timlauer/5407980960/

McLeod, Scott. (2012). Dangerously Irrelevant. Retrieved October 25, 2012 from
http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/

Prezi. 2012.  Retrieved 25 October, 2012 from http://prezi.com/8lnndalvrv7b/digital-storytelling-the-not-so-boring-story/?res_nr=3&sis=1940371338



Please view my Prezi about Digital Storytelling:

 

Digital Storytelling: the not so boring story!

 Photo courtesy of Michael Fitz via Flickr Creative Commons



Further Proof: the Power of Technology in Education

Browsing through blogs and other educators' websites this week I came across two powerful messages regarding--of all things--texting and video games. 


Yes, you read correctly:  Texting--wait, there's a moral here!

Wow, you think.  Is this another video about teenagers texting while driving?  Texting during class?

Nope.  It's called "Texting that Saves Lives" by social advocate Nancy Lublin

 

Retrieved Oct. 9, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiUClSItcy0

for more information, visit http://www.ted.com/talks/nancy_lublin_texting_that_saves_lives.html

 



Texting is the method of communicating for the younger generation.  Texting has a 100% read rate (Lublin 2012).  As the video points out, every text sent to a young adult will be opened and read. 

Thus, Lublin describes an action plan to help children in all manners of crisis, brought to her attention via texts received to social campaigns within the organization http://www.dosomething.org/

Now major steps are being taken to help children succeed and be healthy in all areas of their lives.
The video really counterbalances some of the negatives heard about texting.

And now for another topic frequently dismissed as having any merit or worth:
Video Games--don't discredit anything yet!
 

Retrieved October 8, 2012 courtesy of Ben Harding and Flickr Creative Commons

 

 

Read this inspiring little "mention" about a boy who has successfully turned his passion into a career:

 

"Nurture Your Kids' Passions, Even if They're Making Pokemon Game Walkthrough Videos"

 

Aww, C'mon!  Tell me you can't support that!

 

 

 

  

References:

Do Something. (2012). Retrieved October 8, 2012 from http://www.dosomething.org/

 

Flickr. (2012). Retrieved October 8, 2012 from
     http://www.flickr.com/photos/38605609@N02/7832821594/
 

McLeod, Scott. (2012). Dangerously Irrelevant. Retrieved October 8, 2012 from
     http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/

 

Shelly, G., Gunter, G., Gunter, R. (2012). Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology in a Connected World (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.


 

TED Ideas Worth Spreading. (2012). Retrieved October 8, 2012 from
     http://www.ted.com/talks/nancy_lublin_texting_that_saves_lives.html

 

You Tube. (2012). Retrieved October 8, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiUClSItcy0