Unit Three Oneill

Technology Integration in Early Childhood

Unit Three Overview

Objective 1 - Learners will discover at least one new classroom technology.

Objectives 2 - Learners will be able to explain why one classroom technology is beneficial.'

Objectives 3 - Learners will be able to craft an informational newsletter to parents on the benefits of technology in the classroom.

Suggested Course Pacing

Day One

Introduction

Day Two

Deeper Look - 3 Tools

Day Three

Review materials as necessary (Introduction and Deeper Look - 3 Tools)
Start - Check for Understanding: Short answer

Day Four

Review materials as necessary (Introduction and Deeper Look - 3 Tools)
Finish - Check for Understanding: Short answer

Day Five

Introduction to Newsletters for Families
Start Project Submission

Day Six - Day Ten

Review materials as necessary
Finish Project Submission

Introduction

This is the age where children are truly starting to make their mark on their world as an individual with a unique identity. Their creativity has no bounds yet. As NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) says,

“Digital technologies provide one more outlet for them to demonstrate their creativity and learning” (Technology and young children: Infants and Toddlers).

NAEYC gives seven key points to remember when incorporating technology into a curriculum with 3-5 year olds that correspond well with the 4 Guiding Principles we learned in the last section.

Guiding Principle #1: Technology—when used appropriately—can be a tool for learning.	Incorporate assistive technologies as appropriate for children with special needs and/or developmental delays. Record children’s stories about their drawings or their play; make digital audio or video files to document their progress.
Guiding Principle #2: Technology should be used to increase access to learning opportunities for all children.	Allow children to freely explore touch screens loaded with a wide variety of developmentally appropriate interactive media experiences that are well designed and enhance feelings of success. Provide opportunities for children to begin to explore and feel comfortable using “traditional” mouse and keyboard computers to use Websites or look up answers with a search engine.
Guiding Principle #3: Technology may be used to strengthen relationships among parents, families, early educators, and young children.	Celebrate children’s accomplishments with digital media displayed on a digital projector or on a classroom Website.
Guiding Principle #4: Technology is more effective for learning when adults and peers interact or co-view with young children.	Capture photos of block buildings or artwork that children have created; videotape dramatic play to replay for children. Explore digital storytelling with children. Co-create digital books with photos of the children’s play or work; attach digital audio files with the child as the narrator.

Tool Time - 3 Tools

Slideshows/Google Slides - Beyond the benefits discussed about slideshows for toddlers (educational exposure and comfort), slideshows can also serve as a way for families and educators to communicate a student's work and interest while also engaging in meaningful play with the child. By using a slideshow to tell a story or share a moment, the students are learning about how images and text can both convey meaning with bonding with the adult helping them create their vision.
Lightbox - A lightbox or light table is an illuminated surface. They are commonly used in drafting, and for viewing x-rays or artwork. It provides even illumination of the subject from below through a translucent cover and fluorescent lights that emit little heat. A lightbox is a fabulous learning tool that enhances sensory play opportunities. The activities and learning experiences are endless and encourage a range of skills and development such as; fine motor development, pre-writing skills, hand and eye coordination, color recognition, scientific investigation and so much more. This tool can be recreated at home many different ways and often using a few simple materials. Building and using a lightbox at home would make for a great memory and bonding experience between the child and family.
GoNoodle - GoNoodle is a great way to give students a quick burst of physical activity, which can help keep them focused throughout a long academic day. Featuring a huge variety of activities, it allows teachers to include YouTube videos, such as the Just Dance videos, in their repertoire. A good number of videos also incorporate academic subjects with movement, which can be a nice way to mix things up a bit as well as an opportunity to reach students who don't respond well to more traditional teaching methods. In fact, the benefits of physical fitness and relaxation on learning are well documented, and GoNoodle provides teachers with a fun, interactive way to get students moving. Use GoNoodle to transition from one activity to the next; for instance, when kids come in from recess, choose an activity that might help them get ready to focus again. Or, get them moving during an afternoon lull or before a test to get the blood pumping. Students can also create accounts at home, which can be a fun way for them to keep motivated with physical activity and mindful behaviors over the weekends and holidays as well as to try it out with families. GoNoodle is also accessible as a website, as an app on all smart TVs, or as an app of all smart phones and is free to use in full. It also features activities in both English and Spanish to account for dual language learners or families.

Check for Understanding - Short Answer

Explain why one of the three technologies discussed is beneficial. Go to the discussion section of this page and reply to my instructions for your Short Answer.

Introduction to Newsletters for Families

In this video Ari Flewelling shows you how to change the slide size, use text boxes and images to create a newsletter. Please watch this quick tutorial on navigating google slides in regards to what we will be doing next and then we will discuss what elements you may include for this specific type of newsletter.

This specific type of newsletter doesn’t contain your basic information that you may see in a monthly newsletter. This newsletter is something that may come as a surprise to parents after you discover something you would like to share with families or maybe in response to a families question with information any daily may find value in. The types of categories you may want to use in this specific category revolving around technology are:

Introducing the new technology
The positives from proper interaction with such tool
What entails of proper interaction / expectations
Where they can find or use the technology
Examples of proper use or interactions

Project Submission

Create a one page only newsletter for families about the technology wrote about in the short answer activity. Go to the discussion section of this page and reply to my instructions for your Project Submission.

File
Download
JPEG Image or PNG Image
Reply to the discussion
Insert Image from PC

Navigation

Technology Use in the Classroom

Ages 2-3 (Toddler)

Ages 3-5 (Preschool)

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