Unit One Oneill
Georgia O'Neill's Portfolio Page
Technology Integration in Early Childhood
Unit One Overview
Objective - Learners will be able to explain at least two of the four guiding principles of technology in the classroom.
Suggested Course Pacing
Day One
- Why is technology a topic to discuss in terms of early childhood classrooms?
- Introduction to The Principles of Technology Use
Day Two
- Review - Introduction to The Principles of Technology Use
- Technology use in Early Childhood Classrooms (30 minutes)
Day Three
- Technology use in Early Childhood Classrooms (30 minutes)
- Start - Check for Understanding: Short answer
Day Four
- Review materials as necessary
- Finish - Check for Understanding: Short answer
Why is technology a topic to discuss in terms of early childhood classrooms?
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Technology is virtually everywhere nowadays and a part of many people’s everyday life (Hitlin, 2018). We can not continue to keep technology outside of our schools and then say that we have prepared students for life outside of school. With technology being everywhere nowadays, it is important to follow the times and take advantage of it in our schools and child care centers as well. Technology in early childhood is a topic that is still frowned upon at times with terms like “goubtube kid” being tossed around. What you will learn here is that when we use technology in classrooms, early childhood or other, with intention rather than as a distraction, we strengthen our teaching abilities.
Introduction to The Principles of Technology Use
Technology can be a tricky subject to tackle when it comes to any age, let anyone the littlest among us. To simplify this complex and evolving topic, let’s take a look at the 4 Guiding Principles according to the Office of Educational Technology:
- Guiding Principle #1: Technology—when used appropriately—can be a tool for learning.
- Guiding Principle #2: Technology should be used to increase access to learning opportunities for all children.
- Guiding Principle #3: Technology may be used to strengthen relationships among parents, families, early educators, and young children.
- Guiding Principle #4: Technology is more effective for learning when adults and peers interact or co-view with young children.
To expand on the topics more, visit https://tech.ed.gov/earlylearning/principles/. These principles will serve as a guide for you in this course so I highly suggest taking the time to read through what each principle fully entails.
Guiding principles for use of technology with early learners. Office of Educational Technology. (2018, May 8). Retrieved October 7, 2021, from https://tech.ed.gov/earlylearning/principles/
Technology use in Early Childhood Classrooms
In order to get yourself accustomed to this bigger topic, please watch this webinar from NAEYC (National Association for Early Childhood Education) and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media at St. Vincent College. This Webinar is about an hour long so pace yourself as necessary.
Webinar: Technology and Interactive Media in Early Childhood Programs.
Check for Understanding: Short answer
Pick two of the four principles of technology and give an example of how each principle is beneficial to the educator, the student, or the family.
Go to the discussion section of this page and reply to my instructions for your short answer.
Technology Use in the Classroom
References and Resources
Google. Google slides training and help. Google Workspace Learning Center. Retrieved October 24, 2021, from https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282488?hl=en.
Guiding principles for use of technology with early learners. Office of Educational Technology. (2018, May 8). Retrieved October 7, 2021, from https://tech.ed.gov/earlylearning/principles/
Hitlin, P. (2018, September 28). Internet, social media use and device ownership in U.S. have plateaued after years of growth. Pew Research Center. Retrieved October 7, 2021, from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/09/28/internet-social-media-use-and-device-ownership-in-u-s-have-plateaued-after-years-of-growth/
Technology and Media | Naeyc. (n.d.). NAEYC. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/technology-and-media
Technology and young children: Infants and toddlers. NAEYC. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/technology-and-media/infants-and-toddlers
Technology and young children: Preschoolers and Kindergarteners. NAEYC. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/technology-and-media/preschoolers-and-kindergartners
Webinar: Technology and Interactive Media in Early Childhood Programs. (2017). YouTube. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZGA_bhyFB
How to make a newsletter with Google Slides. (2015). YouTube. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56U-VuQV54Q