CUNY Child Care Centers Technology Session 2
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This document outlines an agenda and presentation for a session on implementing technology in early childhood classrooms. The agenda includes introductions, assessing interests, exploring educational websites for young children, sharing ideas, and wrapping up with questions. The presentation covers making decisions about appropriate software based on objectives, balance, and usability. An example website, Wonderopolis, is analyzed in detail. Participants are then encouraged to share resources and consider criteria for evaluating technology. The session aims to support teachers in thoughtfully integrating technology to enhance early learning.
CUNY Child Care Centers Technology Session 2
- 1. Technology Implementation in the Early Childhood Classroom, Session 2 Fran Simon M. Ed. Maggie Powers, M.A. April 27, 2012 You will hear silence until we begin! For The Department of Child Care City University of New York 1
- 2. Agenda • Introductions • Assess interests • KidsSmart site • Web Site Safari of sites for ECE You can drive! • Your ideas • Questions and wrap up Slides: http://www.slideshare.net/secret/MRjkNkcq8lTnM8
- 3. Decisions about using software: Level 1- Basic pedagogical decisions 1. What is my objective? 2. Is this the right tool for the objective? 3. Does it extend other activities? 4. Is it interactive? Is the interaction meaningful? 5. Does it fit in with my project/theme/study? 6. Does it work with The Creative Curriculum? 7. What is my role using this software?
- 4. Decisions about using software: Level 2 – A question of balance Is the software for: • A large group, small group, or for individual children? • Teacher-directed or child-initiated activities? • Open-ended or skill-focused? • Short periods of time or deeper exploration?
- 5. Decisions about using software: Level 3 – Usability and instructional design Is the software: • Flashy, distracting, overwhelming or just enough appealing graphics and sounds to engage, but not distract? • Free of ads or enticements for children? • Deemed safe by trusted resources? • Easy for children to navigate independently? • Provide feedback to guide children?
- 7. Example: Wonderopolis What is my objective? • Prompt discussion and ideas for class study Is this the right tool for the objective? • Yes, the website provides numerous prompts and opportunities for exploration/wonder, leading to new study topics
- 8. Example: Wonderopolis • Does it extend other activities? Yes, the site has a large list of “wonders” which can be tied into current lessons or activities to allow for further/deeper exploration • Is it interactive? Is the interaction meaningful? No, but it provides ideas and suggestions to create interactive projects in response to the web content and videos
- 9. Example: Wonderopolis • Does it fit in with my project/theme/study? Yes, the large number of topics makes it easy to find “wonders” that fit current projects & themes • Does it work with The Creative Curriculum? Yes, the site fits well with the various CC studies and the idea of on-going project exploration
- 10. Example: Wonderopolis • What is my role using this software? To be a facilitator, to help scaffold/guide discussion around the “wonder” of the day and provide materials to create projects in connection with those wonders • Special Notes: Is best for teacher inspiration and limited highly adult- facilitated activities. Very text-heavy. Some Wonders are for older children.
- 12. Review site Online “curriculum” (?) Educational activities Study starters and teacher inspiration Dual Language Learning - Instruction Creative game based on body awareness and animals- Fun Activities for Preschool Children Great resources and tips for teachers that weave activities together Technology position statement and fantastic resources to support it.
- 13. Information for teachers about reading and literacy activities Kid Safe Search Engine International Reading Library- free ebooks from around the world Songs, ryhmes and traditions from around the world. Free ebooks to read online Open-ended drawing site
- 14. Activities, videos and everything Sesame! Great resource for teachers and the tech section offers great suggestions A social media site that allows people to bookmark great sites. Kids can document their favorites. American Library Association – Listing of great sites for children and teachers Another PBS site specifically for pre- reading skill development Resources for ECE teachers and administrators Resources for ECE teachers and administrators
- 15. Use Your Resources Type of Software, App, or Online Example of a Few Brand Names A Few Possible Uses System Group or individual experiences with adult help at first, and without assistance later G Language experience stories Word, WordPerfect, OpenOffice, G Child-created recipes Word Processing Google Docs, Pages GClassroom-created books, posters, signs, letters, newsletters G G Dictated descriptions for drawings and other creations Group or individual experiences with adult help G Simple classroom graphs that expand as children Excel, OpenOffice, Google Docs, add Spreadsheets Numbers responses G Charts for classroom routines and jobs G Calendars Group or individual experiences with adult help at first, and without assistance later G Easy graphics of all kinds PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, G Child-created signs Presentation SlideRocket G Slideshows of photos and drawings from field trips and special projects G Sequential steps for children to follow to create a recipe, set up snack time, or complete a task
- 16. Ask Yourself … • Does it meet most of the criteria for • What do the reviews from other users developmental appropriateness? say? • Are the staff and children likely to use it • Why is it a good fit for my program? often and purposely? • Will it help my staff members meet their • Will the staff have the appropriate level of objectives? technology awareness and skills to use it well? • What other peripherals, devices, or other applications will I need to make it work? • Is there an abundance of programs that support one skill/concept/content area • Is there built-in technical support? and too few that support others? • Is hands-on training needed, and if so, • Do I have the budget to support the cost how much will it cost? and the professional development needed to support its use? • Is your program set up to support and monitor its use? • Will I have to pay to upgrade the • application? Is it safe?
- 17. Dates Next session TBD Take our survey: http://ecetech.net/surveys
- 18. For support and ideas, join Early Childhood Technology Network Fran.Simon@ESbyFS.com Margaret.A.Powers@gmail.com Slides: http://www.slideshare.net/secret/MRjkNkcq8lTnM8