What do you remember doing when you were 4 years old? Maybe it was playing with blocks, sorting shapes, coloring inside and outside the lines, or make mud pies. That was definitely my experience! But for my daughter and many children like her, technology has been instrumental in their early development. Indeed, it is not uncommon to see toddlers walking around using smartphones to watch videos or play games. As we progress through the 21st century, the focus is on integrating more technology to maximize the teaching and learning experience, including for our youngest learners (i.e., pre-K, 4-year-olds and more). But does the concentrated use of educational technology benefit their learning development?
The Purpose of Educational Technology Integration
Research shows that in the first years of life, what children experience can impact how they learn and what they learn. For example, their vocabulary at age two is a good predictor of their academic progress in kindergarten. This means that exposure to technology for learning should be targeted with the intention of introducing and integrating skills that they will use later. As an educator, it’s important to think carefully about the intent behind using technology with your young students. Here are some questions to ask:
- What is the purpose of implementing the technology?
- How will this technology support teaching and learning?
- Is this technology suitable for the students in my class (accessibility, adaptability, quality, etc.)?
- What is the best strategy to integrate this technology?
- Are there Resources available to support my own learning as I integrate this technology?
Remember, the goal of integrating technology with young learners is to help them develop skills that can be applied to later years as well as to life outside of the classroom. The new skills are not limited to the functions of digital tools, but include essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, collaboration and perseverance. The deliberate use of technology should help young people see how they can be capable and competent contributors to the community.
The Benefits of Integrating Educational Technology
Research has shown that when technology is used with guidance and proper modelling, there are clear benefits for our youngest learners.
- Start building 21st century skills
As mentioned, as young students explore technology – smartphone, tablet, interactive screen, microphones, etc. – they will also learn how to use their problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills to ask questions and express themselves. As students explore, be sure to ask how, what, why open-ended questions that encourage thoughtful responses.
Play is an integral part of young learners as they learn to interact with others. Through play, students learn skills such as expressing themselves, sharing, problem solving and compromising. For example, when learners share a tablet to play a phonetic construction game, they will learn to take turns and patiently wait their turn without interrupting the other child. Or, if more than one child wants a ride interactive display, they will have to accept that not everyone will be first and not everyone will be able to use the display. With guidance, they will learn to manage their emotional response to different situations.
- Promote school readiness
For young learners, discovery and exploration are central to their early school years. They learn to follow directions, interact with others, and use different materials for different skills. These are all foundational skills to prepare them for future learning experiences. As more and more schools implement educational technology, exposing young learners to the same or similar tools will only help them transition seamlessly to their next levels of learning. learning.
- Boost motivation to learn
During this critical period of child development, encouragement is key. As they learn to engage with others, think creatively, and solve problems using technology, encouragement is key to overcoming challenges. Caring guidance and positive feedback will help young learners keep trying when they have difficulty learning a new skill.
- Prepare for the use of advanced technologies
Although we might think that most children have experience with technology before entering a pre-K environment, increasing exposure that is focused and planned will open their eyes to new possibilities for using technology. In balance with other hands-on activities, technology can be an important element in laying the foundation for future learning.
As young learners constantly explore technology in an educational setting, they will not only learn to use devices quickly, but they will do so with confidence and skill. Of course, it’s important to remember that preschool learning isn’t ‘one size fits all’, so even with technology we can assume children are comfortable with, it can take time for others learn. Be consistent and positive with using technology for a variety of purposes such as showing videos, playing learning games, and displaying student work. However you decide to integrate educational technology, it will open your young learners to the next levels of learning.
Find out how award-winning Boxlight solutions can support early childhood education. Go to www.boxlight.com.