A Tablet Computer For Young Children? Exploring It's Viablitily For Early Childhood Education

Article: A Tablet Computer For Young Children? Exploring It's Viablitily For Early Childhood Education

Authors: Leslie Couse & Dora Chen

Link: http://dawnbennett.wiki.westga.edu/file/view/a+tablet+computer+for+young+children.pdf

Review:

Within the article Couse and Chen discuss the positive effects of 1 to 1 tablet computer use in the early childhood classroom. They study a total of 41 three to six year old's and observe how they interact in a classroom that is using tablets on an individual level. The article reflected on their experiment or 'study' findings. Their research findings showed that tablets effectively increased students attention and still allowed for pre-writing skills to develop. The authors shared the point that with the level of technology we have today in our world using tablets to 'draw' (with touch screens, etc) is a completely appropriate way for educators to provide pre-writing skill practice.

Reflection:

I found this article very interesting. I definitely can relate and imagine how the 41 students engagement in their classroom did increase when the tablets started being used. I appreciated how the authors did not down play the importance of coloring, painting, and other art forms. They made the point that tablet computers are effective in the room but the 'classics' (such as coloring, painting) still remain crucial to a child's pre-writing skills development. I believe whole heartedly that it is never all or nothing of something in education. In my current preschool classroom, I used two iPad's at a center daily but also have painting, coloring, cutting, etc. available daily as well. As an early childhood educator, I see my main role as providing opportunities for meaningful experiences to occur in my students lives. In other words, I lay the groundwork for them (having different things available) and they choose what to work with. It's a great way of giving young kids ownership of their learning from the get go! This article was comforting to me. Sometimes I hear negative things about introducing technology too early into a students education. This article affirmed my belief that technology is everywhere in today's world so it should also be in our preschool rooms and the belief that technology can be done in a way that is appropriate for young students.

Importance of Technology in the Classroom

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-technology-in-the-classroom.html

Reflection:
This article highlighted the importance of using technology in the classroom and the many benefits it provides to students both now and in their future. One aspect teachers are always seeking to improve is active participation among students. When technology is being used in classrooms, student are active participants. This increases their depth of knowledge. The internet becomes "a kind of library which is at the disposal of the student with just a click". A student can easily acquire in-depth knowledge on any subject using the internet.

Another positive aspect of using technology in the classroom is it provides real-life work experience. Technology prepares a student to work in business organizations as well as many other professions. The teacher becomes a facilitator who sets goals and provides the necessary resources and guidelines for students to be successful on their task. The student then gets to make decisions about the information he wants to use and display. It also allows there to be a constant exchange of information between students and teachers.

I thought one of the most important aspects of this article was that technology increases student motivation and helps their learning. It also reduces the drop-out rates in schools and gives students technical skills while developing an understanding of various computer tools and software. Even though many are reluctant to this type of change in education, I believe we are only providing more opportunities to our students by integrating technology into our classrooms.

Why Do We Need Technology Integration?

Article: Why Do We Need Technology Integration? 

Website: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-importance

Summary:

The article discussed how technology is becoming a major part of daily life and how most students have access to technology. On the other head students how do not have access to technology at home or outside of school, the use of technology in school is their only opportunity to interact with technology.

         This article discusses some of the benefits of incorporating technology into the classroom. The first benefit of technology is that the students are able to become creators and critics and not just viewers. Another benefit of technology is that students could learn personal and social responsibility, planning, critical thinking, reasoning, and creativity, communication skills, decision-making, and the knowledge of how and when to use technology. These are all skills the students will need to have to be successful members of society after school.

         It is discussed how technology will improve the students educational experience the most when it includes active engagement, participation in groups, frequent feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Finally, the article discussed how technology allows the students to take responsibility for their learning while the teacher becomes the facilitator.

Reflection: 

         I agree that technology is the becoming a larger part of daily life. Most of my students have their own cell phone, i-pod, or/and an i-pad. They use their technology for entertainment, education, and communication. Not only do students have constant access but also teachers. Teachers not only use technology for their own personal lives but also for school. My grades, attendance, lesson plans, and communication at school are completed using technology.

         I agree that technology can definitely teach students skills that are beneficial in society. Using technology can teach students to take responsible for their learning because the teacher is just a facilitator and the students are required to do the learning. I like using technology because it allows the students to be creators and critics. They are able to create their own works and critic other students’ works.

         I have done research for other classes and projects about the most sought after skills employers look for. None of those top skills included school subjects but more so the skills that students can learn from technology and projects. I think these are also skills that teachers need to try to incorporate into their lessons or activities because they are the skills that will help make the students a successful member of society.

          I think that technology is becoming a major part of our students' lives and the educational field could benefit from its use. I wish that my school district was able to incorporate more technology because we only have two stationary computer labs to share amongst the junior high and high school classes. The only form of technology available to use in my classroom is an LCD projector which makes it difficult to incorporate technology when it is not easily accessible. 

eBooks and iPads and Apps oh my!

Article Citation: Williams, H., and German, L.  .  eBooks and iPads and Apps oh my!  Seen Magazine.  15 Nov. 2012.  Web. 5 Apr. 2013.  Retrieved from http://www.seenmagazine.us/articles/article-detail/articleid/2570/ebooks-and-ipads-and-apps-oh-my.aspx

Summary:  I read the article “eBooks and iPads and Apps oh my!”  Teachers have to adapt their teaching, due to the fact students are growing up in a digital age. 

Many teachers today are using iPads in their classrooms that are loaded with apps to make teaching activities interactive and fun.  According to Doug Cooper, the updates and apps are fairly easy and inexpensive when compared with the effort and costs of sifting through multiple editions of textbooks.  eBooks are also being used in classrooms.  eBooks contain ready-made activities and quizzes for teachers, which uses cross-curricular methods, and are also aligned to common core standards. 

According to the article, when implementing tablet technology in the classroom, teachers are able to include more cross-curricular learning and tailor their lesson plans to fit the needs of individual students.  When using iPads, tablets, or computers in the classroom, there is the potential for differentiated instruction down to the individual student level and within each discipline.  Each child could be encouraged to learn and advance at their own pace and according to the article, this would be a tremendous potential for both our struggling and advanced learners. 

Reflection:  I do not have eBooks, iPads, or iPods in my first grade classroom, but this article made me think about the benefits of using these forms of technology in my classroom.  Tablet technology would be very useful in the classroom because information is effortless and endless.  I agree with the article that teachers would have more freedom using eBooks, iPads, or iPods in the classroom.  Using these forms of technology, I would be able to individualize lesson plans, challenge students within their own skill sets, better keep students engaged, and help them learn at their own pace.  I also agree with the article in that traditional teaching methods are still very effective, as well as reading from a book and completing hands-on science and math activities.  These skills are needed in society, college, and future work experiences.   

After reading the article, I am considering asking my school board if I could get at least a few iPads for my classroom.  I would use iPads to teach all subject areas.  One way my students could use on iPad is to search for information, images, etc. on a certain topic or subject.  This allows students to dive deeper into a topic or subject.  The enormous number applications on iPads would make learning more interactive and fun for students.  Well-developed apps on iPads would also engage, motivate and inspire learning in my classroom.  When used effectively, students’ knowledge would increase.    

Technology to the Classroom

Site: Harvard Gazette
Author: Colleen Walsh
Title of Article: Technology to the classroom
Friday, February 15, 2013
URL: news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2013/02/technology-to-the-classroom/

Review of the Article: This article focuses on a technology sessions that was held at Harvard this January. This was an intensive session that allowed students and teachers to collaborate while learning about different technologies. This article emphasized the importance of technology enhancement for all people. It noted that in our continually growing technological world, it is critical that students in our graduate programs continue to enhance their knowledge and skills. The turn out from this session was extremely positive, and many students gave feedback and suggestions to how the session could continue to improve. Harvard plans on continuing similar sessions in the future.

Are iPads and Other Classroom Gadgets Really Helping Kids Learn?

By Peg Tyre
http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/01/31/ipads-education-gadgets-really-helping-kids-learn

Author Peg Tyre discusses the use of ipads and other gadgets in the classroom in this article.  It is very interesting because there is such a big push for technology use in the classroom so I can totally relate. She gives examples of how schools across the country are using technology to supplement education and replace textbooks.  The idea is to make education more streamlined, targeted, and efficient.  Rather than offer AP courses, online classes can serve students the same purpose.  Some schools are actually hiring fewer teachers and using those funds to pay for more technology.  Students seem engaged and motivated by all of the technology.

However, there is a flip side to this equation.  According to Lee Wilson, once you consider the training, network costs, and software costs, iPads cost the schools districts nearly 552 percent more than textbooks. Also in the end, iPads are not used as much as one would think throughout the school day.  The daily teacher/student face to face contact is taking up as much if not more of the student's learning time.   So I think that it is important to remember how vital this time is.

Reflecting on the article has lead me to this conclusion.  I think that iPads are a great tool to use in the classroom because they help keep students current with technology, motivated to learn, and excited because there are always new apps and games to learn from.  However, I don't think anything can replace the face to face contact that students get with their teachers.  After taking both online and regular classes, I prefer to go to class and develop a relationship with my teacher.  I think it holds me much more accountable and motivates me to do better.  However, I do feel that there is a need for technolgy in the classroom as well, it just needs to be in a good balance.