This session will discuss technology in early childhood education - what we know is good and bad.

1. EC Technology –
Making the most
of what we know
Missouri District
Professional Church-Workers Conference
November 2014
Drew D. Gerdes

2. Handouts…
You can view and print this entire
presentation at:
www.slideshare.net/dgerdes

3. You Are Here!
Why are you here?
What do you hope to gain from today?
What do you want to know?

4. Goals For Today
Learn something new!
Gain insight in a variety of
strategies.
Be affirmed in what you are
already doing.
Expand your thought process.

5. A Look Back to the Past

6. A Look Back to the Past

7. A Look Back to the Past

8. One More Look Back to the Past

9. Ok…Maybe A Few More…

10. Everything We Just Viewed…
Served a specific purpose and was deemed necessary
for a particular time period in our culture.
Was sometimes considered a luxury.
Eventually became a common feature.
Eventually faded into the past.

11. Modern Advances
What are some modern
advances that we could not
live without today?
How have these modern
advances impacted people
of today?

12. Technology
Technology is here to stay,
so embrace it!
Think of the many ways
technology is your friend!

13. Everyone Has A Car…
But A Different Car

14. We Are All Different!
We all have different
interests and abilities in
technology.
That’s okay!
The key is how we can grow
and learn something new.
We want our students to
grow and learn – so we
must look in the mirror and
have the same
expectations.

15. Teaching Young Children
No matter what age of
children we work with, we
are to educate the whole
child!
Spiritually
Academically
Socially, etc.
Is it right for us to withhold
an area of development and
learning from a child?
Developmentally
Appropriate Practices!

16. Technology Is…
Already in our
classroom…where?
Used in a variety of different
ways…
Important…
Already in the hands of the
children…

17. Technology Research
Arguments against the use of technology in play point
to children’s need for concrete, first-hand playful
experiences in order to promote cognitive
development.
However, we must rethink play in the digital age. It’s
not going anywhere, and your students are already
using it in different forms.
Nature and context of technology use…

18. It’s Technological Candy!

19. Technology Research
There are 3 ways in which technology intersects with
play:
1. Its use FOR play
2. Its incorporation INTO play
3. Its use to INFORM play
Children draw on their experiences with technology to
inform their play quite often.

20. Technology Research
This book has some of the
latest and most updated
research on the use of
technology and impacts of
digital media on young
children available.
Copyright 2015!

21. Technology Research
Technology is a tool for social-emotional development
Educators need more preparation
Media-based literacy instruction can be beneficial
STEM!!!!
Strengthens the Home-School connection
Individual teachers make the use of technology successful

22. Mr. Rogers
Fred’s instinct in the 1950’s
was to be excited and
challenged by new media,
never to be afraid or put off
by it. It was the potential of
new media to play a
constructive role in the
development and education
of young children that
inspired him.

23. More Mr. Rogers
Fred went into television
because he hated it. He
knew it was not beneficial
for kids – but that kids
would watch it.
His “ministry” was to
provide constructive media
that puts children first!

24. Still More Mr. Rogers
Technology and any type of
technological devise is
simply an additional tool for
learning.
“No matter what the
machine may be, it was
people who thought it up
and made it, and it’s people
who make it work.”

25. A Tricky/Sticky Situation
We don’t know which way technological advances are
heading.
We don’t know what is coming next.
What you purchase in the store today is already old
technology.
Research is not fully available on all the impacts.

26. But…There Is Help…

27. Research Is Still Being Done
Some Surprises:
Cooperation
Collaboration
Digital Citizenship
Connection to the real
world

28. An Effective Tool
When used intentionally and appropriately, technology
is an effective tool to support learning and development.
What are the KEY WORDS here?
Beneficial when used within the framework of
developmentally appropriate practice to support
learning goals for children.
Expand knowledge in hands-on, engaging, and
empowering ways.

29. One Example of
Technology as an Effective Tool
The teacher leads a group
discussion about shapes
with the children. Next, she
displays an image of the
school’s playground on the
interactive whiteboard. The
teacher asks a child to trace
the outline of a shape she
sees on the picture.

30. Evaluate Technology
Through ongoing professional development, teachers
learn to effectively select, use, integrate, and evaluate
technology.
Keep up with rapidly changing technologies and
implications for their use.
Some of the best PD comes through play and
exploration! Hands-on for teachers, too!

31. Limit Technology
It is important to limit children’s use of technology and
media.
This is a tricky one!
Public health organizations offer recommendations
about the appropriate amount of screen time for young
children.
Teachers need to monitor screen time use.

32. More Limits on Technology
For infants and toddlers, educators must be more
selective when choosing technology.
For this age group, only technologies that support
responsive interactions between teachers and children
and strengthen adult-child relationships should be used.

33. Some People May Ask…
What is a developmentally
appropriate use of
technology with an infant
or toddler?
Thoughts and ideas?

34. One Example…
Using a tablet, Mrs. Smith
takes pictures of Ryan as he
plays with a ball. Ryan is
interested in the tablet and
sits on Mrs. Smith’s lap. She
shows him the last picture
taken and asks, “Where are
your eyes?” Ryan laughs
and points to his eyes on
the screen.

35. HATCH
www.hatchearlychildhood.com
Provides computer learning systems, classroom
supplies, and educational resources for early childhood
education.
They want to sell you items, but they have a plethora of
free resources and ideas!

36. Erikson Tech Center
www.teccenter.erikson.edu
The TEC Center at Erikson Institute empowers early
childhood educators to make informed decisions about the
appropriate use of technology with children from birth to age
8. Through carefully selected resources and real-world
examples, the Center strengthens educators’ digital literacy
and their ability to intentionally select, use, integrate, and
evaluate technology in the classroom and other early
childhood settings.

37. Unfortunately…
The secular world takes it a
bit too far…
Companies want to “cash
in” on technology.
Not appropriate one bit!

38. More Unfortunate News…
Recently released…
Tabeo
Toys-R-Us
Less than $150 and contains
pre-selected apps.
What are your thoughts?

39. Back To What Is Appropriate Use
Technology is a tool.
There are good uses for technology.
Yes, children can touch and use technological devices.
Let’s take a look at some “official” uses.

40. Good Digital Citizenship
Exactly what is it?!?!
What do you think?
It’s how we use technology in safe, healthy, acceptable,
responsible, and socially positive ways.
Making sure children have equal access to technology.

41. In A Nutshell…
The early childhood field needs ongoing research on the
use of technology and young children.
Research helps educators better understand how
young children learn and use technology.
Short and long-term effects.
Research guides policy and evidence-based practices.

42. In Your Classroom
What do you find to be the
most used technological
items used in an early
childhood classroom?
Briefly discuss at your table.
Be ready to report!

43. Computers
Desktop and Laptop
computers have been
available in the early
childhood classroom for
some time.
CD Roms…
Software programs…
Web-based!!!
No need to save, store, or
remember where you put it!

44. Web-Based Technology Programs
One of the most readily
available technology uses is
from web-based sites;
Internet.
Many resources are free
and take little time/effort to
manage.

45. Good Websites For Young Children
How do you locate a good website?
What constitutes a good, developmentally-appropriate website for
young children?
How do you manage children working at laptops or desktops?
How long should they use these devices?
How many children can use a device at a time?

46. www.starfall.com

47. www.abcya.com

48. www.jcplayzone.com

49. www.pbskids.org

50. Interactive WhiteBoards
What is it?
SmartBoard
A large interactive display that
connects to a computer and
projector. A projector projects
the computer's desktop onto the
board's surface where users
control the computer using a pen,
finger, stylus, or other device. The
board is typically mounted to a
wall or floor stand.

51. What Else Can You Do?
Thankfully, you never have
to create your own activity!
There are thousands of
activities already available
online!
Just sign up for FREE!

52. Reading Stories Together
www.wegivebooks.org Free!
Many great kids books: favorites,
classics, new ones, too!
Kids turn pages, etc.
Great large-group activity.
Bonus to support charities, too!

53. Always Remember…
IWB’s are a tool. They are simply a resource for
learning. Nothing can take the place of real, hands-on
learning within the context of the child’s environment.
Utilize child/adult communication. Ask questions as to
why a child is doing an activity a certain way. Without
rich communication, an IWB is just a big video screen.

54. SmartTables
It’s an IWB…just horizontal! Cool…but expensive!

55. Money, Money, Money…
According to Drew…
If money is an issue and big obstacle – don’t try to
purchase technology for your school/classroom!
As Christian stewards, money should be used carefully.
Priorities!

56. Tablets & iPads
Tablet and iPads are basically the same thing.
An iPad is a type of Tablet. Apple has the biggest niche
in the Tablet industry.
Ponder for a moment…how many of your students
already use an iPad, iPod, or iPhone?
Current statistics suggest 85% of 3 year-olds are familiar
with this type of technology already.

57. iPads and Preschoolers
Let’s take a brief look at this
video…
http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=BGbDgSpWAak

58. Congrats & Blessings
You are in my prayers…
For continued success in your ministry!
For more opportunities to learn!
THANK YOU for being a special person in a
Lutheran School!

59. Contact Me Anytime!
Drew D. Gerdes
Early Childhood Director
Messiah Lutheran School
Weldon Spring, MO
dgerdes@messiahnetwork.org
On Facebook:
Education Ease
On Twitter:
@ddgerdes