Article Review 2: Finding the Education in Educational Technology with early Learners

     In this article review I will be sharing information about, "Finding the Education in Educational Technology with Early Learners," written by Lilla Dale McManis and Susan B. Gunnewig. I was introduced to something that has not crossed my mind—incorporating technology in early childhood education (Pre-Kindergarten.) Since new technology is constantly becoming a part of daily life and children are being introduced to all sorts of advanced technologies at such an early age, such as iPads and e-readers, and even their parent’s iPhones. I guess it is a viable point.

       McManis and Gunnewig propose that technology can have a positive influence on the education of early learners, especially when considering literacy. For educational technology to be used to produce positive outcomes, it must “be developmentally appropriate for children, include tools to help teachers implement the technology successfully, and be integrated into the classroom and curriculum (Clements & Sarama 2003; Glaubke 2007; NAEYC & Fred Rodgers Center 2012.) The authors of this article go further in saying that educational technology, no matter how old it is, can play an instrumental and important role in a child's learning “when it is based on research, child development theory, and developmentally appropriate practices, and when it aligns with curriculum goals.”

       There are many benefits for young children who use computers and other technology formats during their formative years, this article mentioned computers  can increase a young child’s social, cognitive, language, literacy, and mathematical skills, in addition to their ability to engage in abstract reasoning, visual-motor coordination, and visual memory.  According to the article, teachers can also use computers to support their student’s observational skills when they ask them to look at and explain what is taking place on their screen. Additionally, students who use the computer with adult support are observed to have better letter recognition, sequencing, and letter sounds, listening and comprehension, vocabulary, understanding about concepts relating to specific stories and print, number recognition, counting, shape recognition and development, and ability to sort objects into categories.

      According to McManis and Gunnewig, there are 4 key steps for successfully evaluation educational technology. These steps are as follows: “1) Establish learning goals for the children, 2) Identify the hardware or device(s) you have or would like to have, 3) Analyze features and content of the software/program in meeting learning goals., and 4) Plan how the educational technology will be integrated into the classroom.” After being exposed to the Hatch Early Learning generated evaluation tool, The Early Childhood educational Technology Evaluation Toolkit, as part of this article. I found some of the information in the article very enlightening here is an example of what is included in the Technology Evaluation Toolkit: What is the educational value, the engagement to enhance learning, how child friendly it is, interactivity, and process monitoring. I think it is also extremely helpful that this toolkit can be used as a way to keep families involved and in touch with what technology is being used in the classroom. This simple one page evaluation can allow teachers of early childhood education a simple way to determine if the technology they are considering for purchase is one of value for the learning goal they are try to achieve. I believe the role of technology is not to make the teacher’s task easier, but to make it more effective. According to McManis and Gunnewig “Experience with technology can pave the way for unprecedented learning opportunities, but without the education component, technology cannot reach its full potential for supporting a child’s learning and development”.

                                                                                              Resources

McManis, L. D., Gunnewig,S.B. (2012, May). Finding the Education in Education Technology with Early Learners. New tools and Strategies for Teachers and Learners. (24), 14-24.