Using Technology for Hands-on Exploration - GAYC 2011
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Using Technology Tools to Support Preschoolers' Hands‐on Investigation Diane Bales, Cooperative Extension Phillip Baumgarner, Child Development Lab Child and Family Development The University of Georgia
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Presentation at the 2011 Georgia Association on Young Children Conference by Diane Bales and Phillip Baumgarner. Focus of presentation is using iPads and other technology tools for hands-on exploration with preschool children.
Transcript of Using Technology for Hands-on Exploration - GAYC 2011
Using Technology Tools to Support Preschoolers' Hands‐on
Investigation
Diane Bales, Cooperative ExtensionPhillip Baumgarner, Child Development LabChild and Family DevelopmentThe University of Georgia
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• Technology and the early childhood field• Benefits and challenges of technology in
ECE• Tips for using technology with young
children• Cautions and challenges with technology• Our project: Using iPads as Preschool
Research Tools
Where We’re Going Today
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• What technology tools do you own?• How often do you use technology in your professional life?
• How do you use technology in your early childhood program?
How do you use technology?
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Capitalization doesn’t matter, but spaces and spelling do
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• The “old” question: Should young children use computers?
• The “new” question: When and how should young children be introduced to technology?
• Competing recommendations• AAP: “No screen time for children under age 2”• NAEYC: “…technology and interactive media are learning tools that, when used in intentional and developmentally appropriate ways and in conjunction with other traditional tools and materials, can support the development and learning of young children.”
The “Computer Question” Is Changing
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• 2010: Introduction of the iPad• A “Game Changer” for ECE?• Babies using iPads? • What do you think?
Technology Itself Is Changing Quickly
Images from www.apple.com
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• Familiar tool; part of child’s world• Authentic way to explore new topics• Chance to create• Way to share creations and receive
feedback• Supports critical thinking• Chance to work together
Technology with Children: Benefits
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• Can be a passive activity• Sometimes overused• Developmentally inappropriate uses• Unequal access to tech tools• Safety concerns for children online
Technology with Children: Challenges
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• Decreases creativity• Reduces problem solving• Reduces children’s motivation to use
computers• Increases frustration• Requires quick reaction time• No way out
Problems with “Drill and Kill”
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• Always review websites thoroughly• Watch for similar addresses!• Set limits on children’s online access• Supervise carefully• Teach children “safe surfing”
Keeping Children Safer Online
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• Developmentally appropriate• Used only when it’s the best tool• Available as just another learning material• Used for exploration and discovery• A chance for collaborative learning• Available to all children• Adult‐monitored!
Technology for young children should be…
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• Exploratory study of preschoolers’ use of iPads• Areas of interest
• Motor skills• Language • Cooperation and social interaction• Science investigation
• Questions to address• How can we push children beyond “playing games”• How can we help children see iPads as multi‐use tools?
Our Project
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• Collaborative use of iPads• Initial exploration
• Drawing• Photos• Playing games
• Monkey Preschool Lunchbox• Water Slide
• Field trip photos• Researching classroom questions• Small group comparison activity
What We’ve Done So Far
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• Two girls learning basic navigation skills• Start button• Dragging• Tapping
• Example of cooperative learning
Initial Exploration of Tools
Image from www.apple.com
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• Girl and boy playing Monkey Preschool Lunchbox • Teacher scaffolding by repeating instructions• Trial and error
Initial Exploration of Tools
Images from www.apple.com
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• Two girls using an open‐ended painting app• Example of cooperative learning• Shared language• Memory of skills learned earlier• Challenges explaining how they did something
Initial Exploration of Tools
Image from www.apple.com
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Field Trip Photos
Photos taken by children using ipad.
Due to size and weight, the camera app is a cooperative activity.
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Researching Classroom Questions
Children are encouraged to make inquiries for research.
Teachers record research questions
Ipads are used to gather information. Teachers attempt to make use of visual literacy whenever possible.
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• Monkey vs. Ape
Small‐Group Comparison Activity
Group 1 Group 2
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• What do you see children doing in this video clip?• What skills are they using?
You Be the Judge!
Image from www.apple.com
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• Some children are already familiar with iPads• Most children learn quickly to navigate the iPadinterface
• Children gravitate to games and see iPads as “toys”• Introducing other uses is more challenging• Parents are interested and have their own ideas• New partnerships are forming between children
What We’ve Observed
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• More hands‐on science investigation (iPads + microscopes)• Tool to solve intellectual problems• Communication tool to share findings/activities (Face Time, blogging, VoiceThread, etc.)
• Document children’s growth in iPad use• Changes in complex language• Ease of navigating tool• Peer teaching and modeling• Teacher scaffolding of children’s learning• Gender differences
Future Plans
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• Digital microscope• Hand-held and wireless• Child-safe• Can be used to examine almost
anything• Images synched to iPad as digital
photos or videos• Costs about $250
The ProScope HR Mobile
image from bodelin.com
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Using the ProScope: Examples
images from bodelin.com
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• Enables sharing of images and videos• Comments through typing, computer mic, or phone
• Two‐way communication through commenting
• Free online tool (voicethread.com)• Brand‐new mobile app (VoiceThread)
Communication: VoiceThread
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• Start out slowly!• Use free online resources• Capitalize on parents’ interest in technology• Build technology into your budget
• Apple volume discounts• Apple computer recycling
• Investigate community resources and donors• Small grants for technology
• Check out http://www.squidoo.com/ipad‐grants
How You Can Get Started Using Technology with Children
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Dr. Diane BalesCooperative ExtensionThe University of [email protected]
Phillip BaumgarnerChild Development Lab at McPhaulThe University of [email protected]
Questions?
