SECA Conference presentation on Cool Tech Tools, in pdf version

1. Cool Technology Tools in Early
Childhood
…for the Tech-Savvy,
Technology Novices, and
Everyone in Between
y
Dr. Diane Bales
University of Georgia
Cooperative Extension

2. Where W ’ G i g
Wh We’re Going
Attitudes about technology and children
What makes technology useful in early
childhood?
hildh d?
Tips for using technology in early childhood
Cautions and challenges with technology
Cool tech tools and web resources
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3. Four Uses of T h l g i ECE
F U f Technology in
1. Teacher planning and collaboration
1 T h l i d ll b ti
2. Communication with families
3. Direct teaching with children
4. Hands-on discovery learning
y g
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4. The Web in Today’s World
Th W b i T d ’ W ld
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5. Web 2.0
W b20
The web is no longer just a source of
static information.
Users expect to contribute to content.
U tt t ib t t t t
Content changes much more quickly.
Collected knowledge
How do we know what to trust?
Image from www.learnit2.com/tutorial%20018/index.html
I f l it2 /t t i l%20018/i d ht l
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6. The World i Changing…
Th W ld is Ch i
Technology is a part of our society
society.
Children born today will be “digital
natives.”
ti ”
Children see adults using technology.
“Web 2.0” has changed our ways of
understanding the world.
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7. Attitudes about Technology in
Early Childh d
E l Childhood
Technology = change
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8. The “Technology Question” Is
Changing
Ch i
The “old” question: Should young
old
children use computers and other
technology?
The “new” question: When and how
should young children be introduced to
technology?
How early is too early?
What’s developmentally appropriate in
p y pp p
Preschool?
Early elementary?
Later elementary?
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9. Technology in
T h l g i ECE?
Benefits Challenges
Authentic way to Passive activity
explore new topics
p p Unequal access to tech
Chance to create tools
Way to share creations Can be overused
and receive feedback Safety concerns for
Supports critical
pp children online
thinking Easy access to
Chance to work inappropriate content
together
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10. All T h T l are N t Alik !
Tech Tools Not Alike!
Effective technology tools for children
Child-directed and child-controlled
Focused on authentic discovery learning
Ineffective technologies
Teacher-directed d
T h di t d demonstrations
t ti
Repetitive programs
Focused on drill and practice of a specific skill
Many programs for children are
developmentally inappropriate!
d l t ll i i t !
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11. Problems with “D ill and Kill”
P bl ith “Drill d
Requires quick reaction ti
R i i k ti time
No chance for creativity
No way out
Increases frustration
Reduces problem solving
Decreases children’s motivation to use
children s
computers
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12. A “Drill and Kill Example
Drill Kill”
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13. Technology in
T h l g i ECE should b
h ld be…
Developmentally appropriate
Used only when it’s the best tool
Available as just another learning material
Used for exploration and discovery
A chance for collaborati e learning
collaborative
Available to all children
Adult-monitored!
Ad lt it d!
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14. Some Types of Technology
Digital cameras
Music players (iPods and others)
Tablet
T bl t computers (iPads and others)
t (iP d d th )
Digital microscopes
Digital whiteboards
Smart toys
y
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15. Tech Example: The P S
T hE l Th ProScope
Digital USB microscope
Hand-held and portable
Child-safe
Child safe
Can be used to examine
almost anything
Images saved as digital photos or videos
Costs about $250
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16. The ProScope
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17. Creative U
C ti Uses of T h l g
f Technology
Webcams and online conversations
W b d li ti
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18. Creative U
C ti Uses of T h l g
f Technology
Create digital l h b t!
C t a di it l alphabet!
Image from www.alphabetphotography.ca
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19. Creative Tech Ideas
Comic Life Here s
Here’s a sample of what
Software package you can do with Comic
Quick way to share Life in about 5 minutes!
photos in a meaningful
way
Relatively inexpensive
($29.95)
www.plasq.com
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20. Cool Tools
C l T l on the Web
th W b
Photo Sharing
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21. Cool Tools
C l T l on the Web
th W b
Storybook Creation
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22. Cool Tools
C l T l on the Web
th W b
Blogs
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23. Cool Tools
C l T l on the Web
th W b
Home P
H Page S t (3 X 3 Li k )
Setup Links)
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24. Cool Tools
C l T l on the Web
th W b
Animating Drawings
Animated Slideshows from Photos
Creating Artwork from Photos
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25. Wordle
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26. Cool Tools
C l T l on the Web
th W b
Collaborative Document Creation
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27. Cool Tools
C l T l on the Web
th W b
Image Sharing and Commenting
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28. Cool Tools
C l T l on the Web
th W b
Social Bookmarking
Bookmark collection
Accessible from any computer
Can be shared with others
Communication tools
Commenting on links
g
Highlights and sticky notes
Discussion topic threads
p
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29. What About Babies and
Toddlers?
AAP Recommendation: No screen time for
children under age 2
Is ll “screen ti ” alike?
I all “ time” lik ?
Active vs. Passive
Child-controlled t l ?
Child t ll d tools?
The iPad example
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30. Keeping Child
K i g Children S f O li
Safer Online
Always review websites thoroughly
Watch for similar addresses!
Set limits on children’s online access
children s
Supervise carefully
Teach children “safe s rfing”
surfing”
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31. Questions? Id
Q ti ? Ideas?
?
Dr. Diane B l
D Di Bales
Cooperative Extension
The University of Georgia
dbales@uga.edu
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