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Integrating technology is a necessity if we wish to prepare our students for the workforce in which they will grow to be apart of. By integrating, or working into the lessons, you are using technology to help support or enhance your objective. This opens an almost unlimited opportunity for students to be creative and learn the resources that they will eventually encounter on a daily basis.

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Creative Educator lesson plans for using technology to engage sixth grade students in the curriculum while building creativity, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

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As technology advances, so does the classroom. Technology in early childhood education was very different 10-20 years ago; teachers would interact with the tech and children would observe. Now, toddlers and preschoolers can interact with technology. Interactive media, used on smart devices such as phones, televisions, tablets, and gaming systems, give young children the ability to participate and guide themselves through learning.

Technology isn't only a staple in life, but also in education. It can be a beneficial tool that allows you to educate, engage, and interact with young learners. In this article, we'll cover why technology is important in early childhood education and effective ways to incorporate it in the classroom.

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Technology in early childhood education

Technology in early childhood education has transformed over the last 50 years. At first, televisions were used to strengthen lessons and capture the interest of students. Then, televisions would graduate to personal computers and smart technology through phones, tablets, and apps.

In early childhood education, technology can be a tool to facilitate learning. In conjunction with interactive media, it plays a large role in guiding the development of young children. It enables them to play, express themselves, and cultivate their skills in a safe, engaging way.

Still, concerns are typically raised regarding technology, interactive media, and early childhood education. Some public health organizations and child advocacy groups concerned with child development and health issues, such as obesity, have recommended that passive, non-interactive technology and screen media not be used in early childhood programs.

With parents and guardians playing a significant role in early childhood education, there are additional concerns with the passive use of screen media in the home. An example is keeping the television on and playing in the background. It can cause irregular sleep patterns, focus and attention problems, and an increase in screen time. However, the findings on the value of technology in children's development can be confusing as they're divided.

While many are likely to agree that too much screen time -the amount of time spent using a device with a screen-can be detrimental, technology, when used right, can be helpful to the educational and developmental success of young children.

Why is technology important in early childhood education

In your experience as an educator, you've likely learned that there is rarely just one way to do something; technology is a clear example of this. In the past, teachers had very few resources at their disposal. They didn't have access to much more than textbooks and props. Now, technology offers more for educators and children. Technology can give you access to more resources, innovative teaching methods, and variety as you create an active learning environment for your children.

Incorporating technology into your children's development and education plan also enables you to create lessons for multiple learning styles. Visual learners can use smart boards or tablets to draw pictures and look at other visual aids, while reading/writing learners can use the same media to absorb information or write down ideas. Music streaming platforms or audiotapes can be helpful for auditory learners. As for tactile or kinesthetic learners, these young children can learn by acting out a scene they saw in a video or using interactive media on smart technology devices.

The importance of technology in early childhood education doesn't end there. There are many associated benefits. Technology can:

Support the development of fine motor skills

Strengthen coordination and reaction time

Improve social and emotional development

Promote collaboration and relationships

Build cultural awareness

Help language development

Offer opportunities for information processing

Again, technology is a tool to facilitate learning, and when used appropriately, it can have remarkable effects on early childhood education.

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How to incorporate technology in the classroom

When introducing technology to the classroom, you have many options. You now have access to smart devices that feature apps, digital books, games, and more. With the abundance of technology, how can you manage it? How do you decide when, how much, and how often to use it?

The Department of Education lists four guiding principles for using technology:

Technology-when used appropriately-can be a tool for learning.

Technology should be used to increase access to learning opportunities for all children.

Technology may be used to strengthen relationships among parents, families, early educators, and young children.

Technology is more effective for learning when adults and peers interact or co-view with young children.

1. Technology-when used appropriately-can be a tool for learning

Technology isn't always used for learning, but it can be. Author Lisa Guernsey of Screen Time: How Electronic Media-From Baby Videos to Educational Software-Affects Your Young Child provides guidance on how early childhood educators can determine technology use for young children. You can use the Three C's-the content, the context, and the needs of the individual child-to create parameters.

You might ask: How does this help children learn, engage, express, imagine, or explore? What kinds of social interactions (such as conversations with parents or peers) happen before, during, and after using the technology? What does this child need right now to enhance their growth and development?

Technology allows young children to engage and explore. When used appropriately, it allows them to participate actively in their education through playing and problem-solving.

2. Technology should be used to increase access to learning opportunities for all children

It's no secret that the learning materials of the past were limited. Depending on when you went through early childhood education and development, you likely had access to textbooks, library books, and possibly a few videos. With technology, the resources for today's children are virtually limitless.

The learning opportunities go beyond the words in a textbook and can introduce children to information and cultures beyond their classroom and community. Technology allows you to present diversity to young learners, for example, by exposing them to different types of people, music, and family structures.

3. Technology may be used to strengthen relationships among parents, families, early educators, and young children

The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on education demonstrated how important technology is in the classroom. If the pandemic had occurred before the turn of the century, it's impossible to guess how millions of children and early educators would have kept up with lessons. Fortunately, with greater access to technology-computers, smartphones, tablets-teachers could still teach, connect, and strengthen their relationships with children through video-chat interactions.

Additionally, technology also allows families to strengthen their relationship with their children and with you. Digital portfolios and progress reports allow you to share what lessons the children are learning, but it also allows families to be more active participants in their child's education by tracking their progress. It enables you, the educator, and families to work collaboratively to strengthen and reinforce what they learn in the classroom.

Brightwheel makes it easy to track student progress with streamlined milestone tracking and customizable portfolio templates. You can created individualized progress reports that measure each child's progress against state standards pre-loaded in the app or your program's learning framework. Easy digital sharing with families means you can continue to foster engagement and support.

A child's education is not solely left up to educators and administrators. With the help of technology, all parties-teachers, families, and administrators-can be actively aware of a child's progress and use technology and interactive media to work towards their success.

4. Technology is more effective for learning when adults and peers interact or co-view with young children

Many technological devices are designed for singular use. Computers, smartphones, and tablets are typically meant to be used by one person at a time; however, the Department of Education explains that children learn more from content when parents or early educators watch and interact with children.

Engaging with and encouraging children during and after a lesson can help solidify the information and lead to more effective learning.

It's up to you to determine how you use technology in the classroom. As long as you plan active, engaging activities, focus on content, monitor screen time, and work together, you can use technology to create a successful educational and developmental learning environment for young children.

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Examples of technology in early childhood education

Depending on their age, young children have different exposure to technology. For infants and toddlers, their experience is almost exclusively guided by their teachers, parents, and families. As they grow to preschool age, they develop more autonomy and independence. This can lead to technology acting as a creative outlet and learning resource.

There are many ways in which technology such as televisions, smartphones, and computers, and interactive media like apps and games, can create a successful classroom environment.

Use technology to introduce young children to diverse images of people and things.

Explore digital materials through shared technology time. Through activities like shared book reading, you can create opportunities to engage with young children by talking to them and introducing new vocabulary.

Incorporate technology activities to teach digital literacy skills.

Create progress reports using audio or visual files to share digital updates with families.

Use video-chat software to communicate with children and families outside the classroom.

Document children's drawings and create digital books with photos to explore digital storytelling.

Expose children to concepts like science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) by including STEAM activities in your lesson plans.

Technology creates an abundance of learning opportunities in the classroom. With its vast capabilities and your creativity, you can create countless lessons for your children.

Technology is best when it brings people together

Technology is many things. It's a video demonstrating the leaves changing from season to season. It's an interactive lesson about the difference between the letters " b " and " d ". It's an opportunity to connect with children and families outside the classroom.

Technology is a bridge that fills in the gaps of the past. Children, teachers, families, and administrators are now equipped with tools that promote safe, active learning in the classroom and beyond. As an educator, you take the lead in shaping the early childhood education and development of young learners. With technology acting as your tool, you can educate, engage, and interact with your children in new, innovative ways.

Brightwheel is the complete solution for early education providers, enabling you to streamline your center's operations and build a stand-out reputation. Brightwheel connects the most critical aspects of running your center-including sign in and out, parent communications, tuition billing, and licensing and compliance-in one easy-to-use tool, along with providing best-in-class customer support and coaching. Brightwheel is trusted by thousands of early education centers and millions of parents. Learn more at mybrightwheel.com.

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Embracing technology in early childhood education can help your children build their academic and social skills.

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Why add it?

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Many of today's high-demand jobs were created in the last decade, according to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). As advances in technology drive globalization and digital transformation, teachers can help students acquire the necessary skills to succeed in the careers of the future.

How important is technology in education? The COVID-19 pandemic is quickly demonstrating why online education should be a vital part of teaching and learning. By integrating technology into existing curricula, as opposed to using it solely as a crisis-management tool, teachers can harness online learning as a powerful educational tool.

The effective use of digital learning tools in classrooms can increase student engagement, help teachers improve their lesson plans, and facilitate personalized learning. It also helps students build essential 21st-century skills.

Virtual classrooms, video, augmented reality (AR), robots, and other technology tools can not only make class more lively, they can also create more inclusive learning environments that foster collaboration and inquisitiveness and enable teachers to collect data on student performance.

Still, it's important to note that technology is a tool used in education and not an end in itself. The promise of educational technology lies in what educators do with it and how it is used to best support their students' needs.

Educational Technology Challenges

BuiltIn reports that 92 percent of teachers understand the impact of technology in education. According to Project Tomorrow, 59 percent of middle school students say digital educational tools have helped them with their grades and test scores. These tools have become so popular that the educational technology market is projected to expand to $342 billion by 2025, according to the World Economic Forum.

However, educational technology has its challenges, particularly when it comes to implementation and use. For example, despite growing interest in the use of AR, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technology, less than 10 percent of schools report having these tools in their classrooms, according to Project Tomorrow. Additional concerns include excessive screen time, the effectiveness of teachers using the technology, and worries about technology equity.

Prominently rising from the COVID-19 crisis is the issue of content. Educators need to be able to develop and weigh in on online educational content, especially to encourage students to consider a topic from different perspectives. The urgent actions taken during this crisis did not provide sufficient time for this. Access is an added concern - for example, not every school district has resources to provide students with a laptop, and internet connectivity can be unreliable in homes.

Additionally, while some students thrive in online education settings, others lag for various factors, including support resources. For example, a student who already struggled in face-to-face environments may struggle even more in the current situation. These students may have relied on resources that they no longer have in their homes.

Still, most students typically demonstrate confidence in using online education when they have the resources, as studies have suggested. However, online education may pose challenges for teachers, especially in places where it has not been the norm.

Despite the challenges and concerns, it's important to note the benefits of technology in education, including increased collaboration and communication, improved quality of education, and engaging lessons that help spark imagination and a search for knowledge in students.

The Benefits of Technology in Education

Teachers want to improve student performance, and technology can help them accomplish this aim. To mitigate the challenges, administrators should help teachers gain the competencies needed to enhance learning for students through technology. Additionally, technology in the classroom should make teachers' jobs easier without adding extra time to their day.

Technology provides students with easy-to-access information, accelerated learning, and fun opportunities to practice what they learn. It enables students to explore new subjects and deepen their understanding of difficult concepts, particularly in STEM. Through the use of technology inside and outside the classroom, students can gain 21st-century technical skills necessary for future occupations.

Still, children learn more effectively with direction. The World Economic Forum reports that while technology can help young students learn and acquire knowledge through play, for example, evidence suggests that learning is more effective through guidance from an adult, such as a teacher.

Leaders and administrators should take stock of where their faculty are in terms of their understanding of online spaces. From lessons learned during this disruptive time, they can implement solutions now for the future. For example, administrators could give teachers a week or two to think carefully about how to teach courses not previously online. In addition to an exploration of solutions, flexibility during these trying times is of paramount importance.

Below are examples of how important technology is in education and the benefits it offers to students and teachers.

Increased Collaboration and Communication

Educational technology can foster collaboration. Not only can teachers engage with students during lessons, but students can also communicate with each other. Through online lessons and learning games, students get to work together to solve problems. In collaborative activities, students can share their thoughts and ideas and support each other. At the same time, technology enables one-on-one interaction with teachers. Students can ask classroom-related questions and seek additional help on difficult-to-understand subject matter. At home, students can upload their homework, and teachers can access and view completed assignments using their laptops.

Personalized Learning Opportunities

Technology allows 24/7 access to educational resources. Classes can take place entirely online via the use of a laptop or mobile device. Hybrid versions of learning combine the use of technology from anywhere with regular in-person classroom sessions. In both scenarios, the use of technology to tailor learning plans for each student is possible. Teachers can create lessons based on student interests and strengths. An added benefit is that students can learn at their own pace. When they need to review class material to get a better understanding of essential concepts, students can review videos in the lesson plan. The data generated through these online activities enable teachers to see which students struggled with certain subjects and offer additional assistance and support.

Curiosity Driven by Engaging Content

Through engaging and educational content, teachers can spark inquisitiveness in children and boost their curiosity, which research says has ties to academic success. Curiosity helps students get a better understanding of math and reading concepts. Creating engaging content can involve the use of AR, videos, or podcasts. For example, when submitting assignments, students can include videos or interact with students from across the globe.

Improved Teacher Productivity and Efficiency

Teachers can leverage technology to achieve new levels of productivity, implement useful digital tools to expand learning opportunities for students, and increase student support and engagement. It also enables teachers to improve their instruction methods and personalize learning. Schools can benefit from technology by reducing the costs of physical instructional materials, enhancing educational program efficiency, and making the best use of teacher time.

Become a Leader in Enriching Classrooms through Technology

Educators unfamiliar with some of the technology used in education may not have been exposed to the tools as they prepared for their careers or as part of their professional development. Teachers looking to make the transition and acquire the skills to incorporate technology in education can take advantage of learning opportunities to advance their competencies. For individuals looking to help transform the education system through technology, American University's School of Education online offers a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Leadership to prepare educators with essential tools to become leaders. Courses such as Education Program and Policy Implementation and Teaching Science in Elementary School equip graduate students with critical competencies to incorporate technology into educational settings effectively.

Learn more about American University's School of Education online and its master's degree programs.

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How Important Is Technology in Education? | American University

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