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Educational Psychology: Help and Review9 chapters | 331 lessons
Technology in the Preschool Classroom
Instructor:
Sharon Linde
Young children are born learners. They love to explore and soak in new experiences. Preschool teachers can use technology to enhance children's natural curiosity. Not sure how to make this happen? Take a look at what technology in the preschool classroom looks like.
What is Technology?
When we talk about technology in education, we mean the use of tools or machines in classrooms. Think computers, tablets, and printers. In a preschool classroom, technology can take many forms. What does technology look like in a preschool classroom? Let's take a tour of Ms. Smith's classroom and see what she has going on.
Technology to Support Young Learners
The early years are all about figuring things out. Children are developing as learners as they investigate their world, and they're naturally curious about everything and explore how things work at every turn. Ms. Smith knows her students need technology, as they provide a way for her students to grow as investigative learners. As such, she uses technology to support learning, not merely as a teaching tool.
Technology in the Preschool Classroom
What types of technology does she have in her classroom? Take a look at some common types of preschool technology:
Computers
Ms. Smith's classroom has several different types of computers, electronic devices used to store and process data. Several desktop and laptop computers are available for the children to use for exploring programs related to science, language, and math. The students also have access to tablets, computer-like devices that responds to on-screen interaction instead of a mouse.
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Listening Devices
Young children enjoy listening to songs, books, poems and stories. When a teacher isn't available to read with a student, they can listen on a digital player, like a compact disk player or electronic device such as an iPod. The children can listen as a group or wear headphones for private listening.
Recording Devices
Ms. Smith takes many opportunities to record her students in action. She uses digital cameras and videos of the children creating structures in the block area or putting on a play. Students also have access to these devices for making their own memories of events. Ms. Smith encourages the children to tap into their creativity when taking pictures and videos by making digital books and stories with their work.
Instructional Technology in Preschool
Ms. Smith is a savvy teacher. She uses technology to help her plan lessons, instruct and record student progress. How does she do this? Her tool bag includes:
Document Camera
Many times, when showing her young students a book or leaf, Ms. Smith hears 'I can't see!' Using a document camera helps solve this problem in a snap. A document camera is basically a digital overhead projector. An object can be placed in front of the camera and the image is enlarged and shown on a screen. Ms. Smith uses her document camera to show her whole class what the inside of a leaf looks like, or to read a story out loud so all students can clearly see print and pictures.
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Data Processing
Even parents of preschool children want to know how their children are progressing. Ms. Smith records and collects data about her students - things like number sense or reading readiness indicators - and keeps them in a digital program meant for processing this information. This data processor helps her organize information and make it presentable to parents.
Interactive Whiteboard
Ms. Smith also has a very fancy piece of technology - an interactive whiteboard, or IW. This large-screened digital device is hooked up to a computer and displays what is shown on the computer's screen. But wait, there's more: The IW is interactive, meaning Ms. Smith and her students can touch the screen's surface just like a tablet to change screens, play games, or enter information. The IW allows the user to utilize pens and an eraser as tools to write and record.
Two examples of IWs are a SmartBoard and Promethean.
Where You See It, Where You Don't
Like we said, Ms. Smith knows the preschool years are filled with exploration and creativity. She knows technology enhances her classroom, but makes sure there are places for students to simply play. While there are no hard-and-fast rules about where technology in a preschool classroom is appropriate, Ms. Smith makes sure to provide opportunities in every area for children to interact with their environment without technology, too.
Lesson Summary
The preschool years are ones of learning. Young children love to explore and investigate their world. Using technology in preschool classrooms can enhance these experiences if used to support lessons and learning. As we saw in Ms. Smith's classroom, young children can explore letters, numbers, and science on computers like a desktop, laptop, or tablet. They can record their world or listen to and watch their recordings with the use of digital cameras and recorders. Ms. Smith uses technology to help her plan, teach and record data. She has access to a document camera, data processing programs and an interactive whiteboard. With these tools in hand, Ms. Smith is always ready to meet the needs of her young learners.
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Lesson
39 in chapter 2 of the course:
- Child and Adolescent Development: Developmental Milestones & Nature vs. Nurture 5:24
- Using Cognitive Development Psychology in the Classroom 6:51
- Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development 9:31
- Assimilation & Accommodation in Psychology: Definition & Examples 3:01
- Jean Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development 9:17
- Lev Vygotsky's Theory of Cognitive Development 11:18
- Zone of Proximal Development and Scaffolding in the Classroom 5:37
- Social Constructivism and the Mediated Learning Experience 5:36
- Tools to Advance Cognitive Development 6:59
- Differences between Piaget & Vygotsky's Cognitive Development Theories 6:33
- Social & Cognitive Development: Impact on Interpersonal Relationships 8:13
- Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development: Theory & Examples 4:54
- Linguistics: Language Development in Children 6:54
- Bilingual Education, Immersion & Multicultural Education 6:10
- Moral & Prosocial Behavior: Definitions & Examples of Classroom Applications 5:47
- Carol Gilligan's Theory of Moral Development 7:06
- Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development 4:09
- Gender Differences in the Classroom: Physical, Cognitive & Behavioral 8:48
- Gender Differences: The Nature Versus Nurture Debate 7:26
- What is Critical Thinking? - Definition, Skills & Meaning 5:14
- Problem Solving Skills for Kids
- Gender Differences in Emotion
- Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt in Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development 6:08
- Bronfenbrenner's Mesosystem: Definition & Examples 5:35
- Piaget's Sensorimotor Stage of Development: Definition & Examples 5:43
- Social Delay in Children: Definition & Examples
- 5th Grade Science Fair Projects
- Children's Identity Development Theory: Model & Stages
- Classroom Rules and Procedures for Middle School
- Community Helpers for Kindergarten 6:15
- Critical Thinking Activities for Middle School
- DNA Projects for High School Students 7:32
- Financial Literacy for High School Students
- Fun Vocabulary Games for Middle School 5:56
- Kindergarten Report Card Comments 7:01
- Math Strategies for High School Students
- Plant Activities for Kindergarten
- Study Skills for Middle School: Activities & Ideas
- Technology in the Preschool Classroom
- Teaching Life Skills to Children 4:19
- End of the Year Activities for Middle School
- End of the Year Activities for 5th Grade
- What is Student Development Theory?
- Critical Thinking: Examples, Process & Stages
- Academic Stress: Definition & Scale 4:23
- Albert Bandura's Theory of Self-Efficacy 5:28
- How to Build Resilience
- Fixed vs. Growth Mindset 3:36
- Carol Dweck & Growth Mindset Psychology
- Go to Developmental Psychology in Children and Adolescents: Help and Review
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