Technology in the ECEC environment by Aoife Kenny

Benefits of technology

aoifekenny32 — 2024-04-21 22:07:03 UTC

Technology can be employed in active, collaborative, and fun ways. When technology is used to compliment rather than replace play, it can broaden children's thinking and expression while also encouraging problem-solving and creativity.

Digital equipment, for example, involving cameras, is able to be used in creative and interesting ways, enabling children to record their own learning, capture the development of their projects, and narrate stories that evolve from their play.

Technology can be used to build on children's learning by accessing resources,and developmentally appropriate STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) topics and activities, broadening their learning experiences.

STEM and the wonderwall

aoifekenny32 — 2024-04-21 22:24:01 UTC

Capturing children's moments of wonder enhances their inquiry skills, including observation, questioning, and prediction, and prepares them for future scientific investigations.

We have created a wonderwall scrap book in the classroom that every child can take home once a week to look at other children's explorations or questions about the world.

As you know, each week a group of children get to take home a camera to capture observations they find interesting, either at home or on adventures outdoors. Then the child can bring the camera back to school, where we print the photos and add them to the book. This included many photos of leaves, dogs, and bugs. These photos lead to questions for children to wonder about, such as "I wonder if dogs can run faster than cats?" or "I wonder where flowers come from?".

aoifekenny32 — 2024-04-22 13:46:34 UTC

aoifekenny32 — 2024-04-22 13:55:55 UTC

Digital tools such as cameras can teach children and adults how to ask questions about the world and guide them in carrying out experiments, asking testable questions, and explaining phenomena based on their own and others' observations.

Videos, e-books, and other digital supports containing appropriate visuals and animations have been found to increase vocabulary and understanding.

Youtube video about Rockets and Space

aoifekenny32 — 2024-04-22 14:23:58 UTC

This video is an example of how technology can be used by children at home to explore themes they have shown an interest in, such as space. By asking questions and inviting and encouraging children to wonder about space and rockets, it is an example of using technology to promote STEM in the early years.

Hnads-on STEM activities at home

aoifekenny32 — 2024-04-22 14:34:22 UTC

This link will lead to activities to do with your child at home, If any materials are needed, please contact me with the activity you would like to do, and we will send the materials home with your child. This is also an opportunity to invite your child to use the camera to take photos of the process and outcome of activities to share with the class in the Wonderwall book!

Steps to take for safety surrounding screen time

aoifekenny32 — 2024-04-22 15:46:19 UTC

The American Psychological Association (APA) encourages parents to pay attention to the content and manner in which their children engage with screens. Examining studies regarding the potential harm of technology to children establishes a link between the degree of a child's technology use and a range of related behavioral and developmental issues.

Encourage children to take screen-free breaks and participate in outdoor activities.
Avoid using screens as "babysitters" to keep children entertained.
Find non-screen activities such as storybooks, colouring books, colouring books and creative toys.
Ensure children's devices are not interfering with sleep schedules.

References

aoifekenny32 — 2024-04-22 16:01:00 UTC

Stevenson, A. (2013). I Wonder... Science and Children, 50(6), 74.

Pasnik, S., & Hupert, N. (2016). Early STEM learning and the roles of technologies. Education Development Center.

Silverman, R. D., & Keane, K. (2021). The Power of" Screen Time": Harnessing It to Promote Language and Literacy Learning in Early Childhood and Elementary School. American Educator, 44(4), 20.

Maryville University, (2022). Children and Technology: Positive and Negative Effects. Maryville.edu. https://online.maryville.edu/blog/children-and-technology/#positive-negative-effects