Presented at the NAEYC Annual Conference, 2013 by Karen Nemeth, Ed.M. and Fran Simon, M.Ed.

1. Teachers
and parents need
serious technology
playtime
Setting up technology playdates that lead to
technology mastery in early childhood settings
NAEYC Annual Conference, Washington, DC 2013
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@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth. All rights reserved.

2. Playtime brought to you by…
Karen Nemeth, Ed.M.
Fran Simon, M.Ed.
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@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.

3. Hello- From Fran
SLIDES
http://bit.ly/TECPLAYDATE
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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4. Who are you?
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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5. NAEYC/FRC Position Statement on Tech
• Do you know about the Position
Statement?
• Have you read it?
• Do you use it?
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http://www.naeyc.org/content/technology-and-young-children

6. Investments in technology tools are wasted
without investments in professional
development.
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@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.

7. Adults need
technology “play
time” AND formal
professional
development to
understand the
implications of
the tools
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@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.

8. 8
Your technology will end up like this without PD

9. Our research
More data
coming soon!
@ Copyright, Fran Simon Dale McManis, and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
http://kaywa.me/vHkL7
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10. Our research
Webinar on
December 5, 2012
Hatch Early
Learning Webinars
http://kaywa.me/QIB94
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@ Copyright, Fran Simon Dale McManis, and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.

11. In programs that use technology, after high cost, administrators and
teachers report that not having enough PD was the biggest obstacle to
helping children meet learning goals using technology tools
@ Copyright, Fran Simon Dale McManis, and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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12. In programs that use technology, ADMINISTRATORS report being offered
the following types of educational technology professional
development
Attended
Used
Attended
formal
computerformal
workshops or workshops or based selfonline
paced
online
training that training that tutorials that
were not
were not
were helpful
helpful
helpful
Got help from
Used
a friend or
computercolleague
based selfpaced
tutorials that
were helpful
@ Copyright, Fran Simon Dale McManis, and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
Read the
manual or
called tech
support
Found
Learned
answers in
about
online forums educational
or blogs
technology in
college
coursework
12
Other
I have little
or no
professional
development
of any type
on technology

13. In programs that use technology, TEACHERS report being offered the
following types of educational technology professional development
Attended
formal
workshops or
online
training that
were not
helpful
Used
Got help from
Used
Attended
computera friend or
computerformal
based selfcolleague
based selfworkshops or
paced
paced
online
tutorials that tutorials that
training that
were not
were helpful
were helpful
helpful
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
Read the
manual or
called tech
support
Found
Learned
answers in
about
online forums educational
or blogs
technology in
college
coursework
13
Other
I have little
or no
professional
development
of any type
on technology

14. Tech Professional Development Requires…

Openness and acceptance

Safe risk taking

A combination of
 Formal
training
 Playtime
exploration
 Coaching
 Mentoring
 Role
modeling
 Peer
leadership
 Practice
with the children
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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Photo credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com

15. Rationale for Various Technology PD
Combinations
Formal Training-Introduction
Playtime-Application
Coaching/mentoring-Extension
Introduce new tech skills
and applications
Apply skills in relevant
contexts and have fun
Push skills, interests and
learning to the next level
Connect tech to best
practice in ECE
Explore with peers and
tech savvy models
Get feedback from more
experienced people
Peer-to-Peer-Collaboration
Classroom-On the job experience
Get and share ideas and
learn from the
experiences of others
Apply skills in relevant
context with children and
with realtime challenges
See tech in action as an
observer
Get feedback from what
works and what does not
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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16. Why adults need playtime, too!
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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17. Our story
Tech Playtime at conferences
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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18. Our Playdates
• Technology Interest Forum Tech Playroom, Annual Conferences
2006, 2007
• Administration Station, NAEYC Annual Conference 2008
• Technology Play Date, NAEYC Professional Development
Conference, 2012
• Tech on Deck, NAEYC Annual Conference, 2012
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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19. How did we do it?
1.
We saw a need
2.
Identified our audience
3.
Planned goals
4.
Located partner organizations
5.
Secured space
6.
Identified topics of interest and
7.
planned activities for each
8.
Found experts to facilitate each topic
9.
Created visual aides and handouts
10.
Promoted the event
11. CreatedKaren Nemeth All rights reserved.
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and a survey for
12.
feedback
Participated in the fun
19
Photo credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com

20. Planning your technoplaytime

Identify audience

Identify objectives

Assess skills

Assess the available tools

Determine the space

Plan “activity starters” to provide
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
Photo credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com
context and relevancy
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21. The goals are to…
Guide teachers (parents) to:

Add new tools to their toolkits

Connect those who know with those who
need to/want to learn

Link technology use to DAP, curriculum,
content, and standards

Learn from peers and experts
@
Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
Have fun
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Photo credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com

22. Like everything meaningful, good
technology playtime takes planning
 Assess
the group’s current skill level
 Assess
the available tools
 Identifying
experts to lead activities
 Identify
peer leaders
 Identify
those who need more support
 Plan
objectives
 Playtime
and formal training must have
objectives – They can’t be a free for all
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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23. Informal training works best in context!
The classroom is the optimal location
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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24. But what if that is not possible?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Classroom?
Community Center?
Auditorium?
Community College?
House of worship?
Town Hall?
A private home?
Local training space?
CCR&R?
Where else?
You need space that can accommodate:
• Lots of outlets
• Internet access!
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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25. Where do you get the devices?

If you are lucky, your program has enough
devices!

BYOD

Ask parents and local businesses to loan

Try to partner with computer stores and kiosks

Ask your CCR&R

Ask your agency or affiliate agency
No need for one on one! Remember
people share!
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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26. Tips for the Classroom TechnoPlaySpace

Ask an expert or peer expert to be the facilitator in each
of the Interest Areas (Learning/Activity Centers)
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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Photo credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com

27. Tips for the Classroom Playspace

Invite participants to engage with devices in the Interest
Areas
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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28. Tips for the Classroom Playspace

Let participants move around as their interests change
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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29. Tips for the Classroom Playspace

Provide visual aides: Add signs, labels and information
about objectives related to integrating technology into
the Interest Area.
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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30. Tips for the Classroom Playspace

Add ideas of apps and websites for each area
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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31. Tips for the Classroom Playspace

Give reluctant participants “activity starters” to warm
them up and get them thinking
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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32. Create groups that make sense for your
audience
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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33. Thanks, and stay in touch!
Karen
Fran

Karen@languageCastle.com

Fran.Simon@EngageStrat.com

LanguageCastle.com

EngagementStrategies.com

ECEtech.net

ECEtech.net

EarlyChildhoodWebinars.com
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@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.