Introduction to ICT for ECED

1. Technology in Early Childhood Education
ECED13

2. Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.

3. TECHNOLOGY

4. What is ICT and why does it matter in early childhood education?
ICT can be defined as “anything which allows us to get information, to communicate with each other, or to
have an effect on the environment using electronic or digital equipment”. In early childhood education (ECE),
the term ICT could include computer hardware and software, digital cameras and video cameras, the Internet,
telecommunication tools, programmable toys, and many other devices and resources.
The literature suggests at least three reasons why ICT matters in early childhood education.
First, ICT already has an effect on the people and environments that surround young children’s learning.
Second, these technologies offer new opportunities to strengthen many aspects of early childhood education
practice. Third, there is support and interest across the whole education sector for the development and
integration of ICT into education policy, curriculum, and practice. However, there is a clear consensus in the
literature that the introduction and use of ICT in early childhood education should be grounded in a clear
understanding of the purposes, practices, and social context of early childhood education.

5. Educational Technology
is the use of both physical
hardware, software, and
educational theoretic to
facilitate learning and
improving performance by
creating, using, and
managing appropriate
technological processes
and resources
ICT

6. Information and Communication Technologies
ICT
refers to technologies that provide access to
information through telecommunications. It is
similar to Information Technology (IT), but
focuses primarily on communication
technologies. This includes the Internet,
wireless networks, cell phones, and other
communication mediums.

7. TWO SIDES OF ICT
1. Informational
2. Constructional

8. IMPORTANCE OF ICT TO PUPILS
01
Firstly, young children are already being
exposed to ICT tools and as such it already
has an effect on them and on the
environment and people that surround them.

9. IMPORTANCE OF ICT TO PUPILS
02
This relates to the many
opportunities and potential ICT
delivers to the teaching and
learning of curriculum.

10. IMPORTANCE OF ICT TO PUPILS
02
This relates to the many opportunities and potential ICT
delivers to the teaching and learning of curriculum.
In early childhood, it can:
• Support and enhance learning and play experiences.
• Support and strengthen your professional learning as an
early childhood teacher.
• Support and strengthen your relationships with parents and
other people connected to your early childhood education
centre.

11. IMPORTANCE OF ICT TO PUPILS
03
Many curriculums are now supporting the
integration of ICT across the education sector
from early childhood to tertiary.

12. IMPORTANCE OF ICT TO PUPILS
04
ICT supports metacognition or ‘learning to learn’. It means knowing that you know and it
provides the foundation to what an ICT capable child is.
ICT tools in Early Childhood can be used for:
Literacy.
Numeracy and mathematical understanding.
Science.
Creativity and problem solving.
Visual literacy and painting.
Media education.
Music education.

13. 4 C’s of a 21st Century learner

14. Improves engagement
Improves knowledge retention
Encourages individual learning
Benefits of ICT
Encourages collaboration
Benefits for teachers

15. PURPOSE OF TECHNOLOGY
To SUPPORT young children to develop information and
communication literacies necessary for learning in ICT-
enriched environments
To DOCUMENT and ASSESS children’s learning and
activities
To BUILD curricula from children’s interests, ideas, and
experiences;
to STRENGTHEN and SUPPORT family involvement in
children’s learning