by: Rebecca Carr
Does technology have an educational role in the Early Childhood classroom?
This can be a controversial topic for some when thinking about education in classrooms with young learners. While some disagree that early childhood students are too young to properly learn from technology. There have been proven positive development in the importance of technology with these young learners. Our current world is full of technology and students need to develop the necessary skills to be successful.
Benefits when using technology.
Technology can help teachers to reinforce core academic skills for young learners. Many of these core academic skills like counting, number recognition, letters, colors, sounds, matching, shapes can be found in many different apps and software. Through the use of educational software and apps, teachers are able to differentiate within the products to
meet students needs easier than the traditional use of printed worksheets. Technology can help with reteaching of instruction as well as assessing students knowledge through the use of quizzes and tests.
Technology platforms collect data quickly and efficiently to pinpoint skills students have difficulty with. This data can be saved and shared with parents, colleagues and administration. While working within the platforms, students will receive immediate feedback on their performance.
Young learners are developing and improving their social and emotional development in theses early years of school. Technology can encourage students to share and take turns with devices. Students can share thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of technology platforms with parents or other students. Technology is appealing to younger learners and provides them with a creative outlet that they might not have experienced