This document discusses using technology tools in early childhood education. It provides tips for using technology appropriately, such as ensuring it is developmentally appropriate, used for exploration and discovery, and adult-monitored. Examples of technology that can be used include digital cameras, music players, microscopes, and smart toys. The document cautions against using technology just for "drill and kill" activities and discusses keeping children safe online through supervision and teaching internet safety.

1. Cool
C l Technology Tools i
h l l in
Early Childhood
…for the Tech-Savvy, Technology
Novices, and Everyone in Between
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2. Where We re Going
We’re
Attitudes about technology
What makes technology useful in
early childhood?
Tips for using technology in early
childhood
hildh d
Cautions and challenges with
technology
Cool tech tools and web resources
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3. Attitudes about Technology
in Early Childh d
i E l Childhood
Technology = change
gy g
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4. Technology in ECE?
Benefits Challenges
Authentic way to Passive activity
explore new topics
p p Unequal access to
Chance to create tech tools
Way to share Can be overused
creations and Safety concerns
receive feedback for c d e o
o children online
e
Supports critical Easy access to
thinking inappropriate
pp p
Chance to work content
together 4

5. Problems with “Drill and Kill”
“Drill Kill”
Decreases creativity
Reduces problem solving
Reduces children’s motivation to use
R d hild ’ i i
computers
Increases frustration
Requires q
q quick reaction time
No way out
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6. Four Uses of Technology
1. Teacher planning and collaboration
T h l i d ll b ti
2. Communication with families
3. Direct teaching with children
4.
4 Hands on
Hands-on discovery learning
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7. The World is Changing…
Technology is a part of our society
society.
Children born today will be “digital
natives.
natives ”
Children see adults using technology.
“Web 2.0” has changed our ways of
understanding the world.
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8. Web 2.0
The web is no longer just a source of
static information.
Users expect to contribute to
content.
Content changes much more quickly.
C h h i kl
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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9. The Web in Today s World
Today’s
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10. The “Computer Question” Is
Changing
Ch i
The “old” question: Should young
old
children use computers?
The “new” question: When and how
new
should young children be introduced
to technology?
gy
How early is too early?
What’s developmentally appropriate in
Preschool?
Early elementary?
Later elementary?
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11. Technology for young
children should be…
hild h ld b
Developmentally appropriate
Used only when it’s the best tool
Available as just another learning
material
Used for exploration and discovery
A chance for collaborative learning
Available to ll hild
A il bl t all children
Adult-monitored!
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12. Some Types of Technology
Digital cameras
Music players (ipods and others)
Digital i
Di i l microscopes
Digital whiteboards
Smart toys
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13. Tech Example: The ProScope
Digital USB microscope
Hand-held and portable
Child-safe
Can be used to examine almost
anything
Images saved as digital photos or
videos
Costs about $250
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14. The ProScope
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15. Creative Tech Ideas
Webcams and online conversations
W b d li ti
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16. Creative Tech Ideas
Create a digital alphabet!
C t di it l l h b t!
Image from www.alphabetphotography.ca
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17. Creative Tech Ideas
Comic Life
Here’s a sample of what
you can do with Comic Software package
p g
Life in about 5 minutes! Quick way to share
photos in a meaningful
way
Relatively inexpensive
($29.95)
www.plasq.com
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18. Cool Tools on the Web
Photo Sharing
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19. Cool Tools on the Web
Storybook Creation
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20. Cool Tools on the Web
Blogs
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21. Cool Tools on the Web
Home Page Setup (3 X 3 Links)
H P S t Li k )
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22. Cool Tools on the Web
Animating Drawings
Animated Slideshows from Photos
Creating Artwork from Photos
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23. Wordle
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24. Cool Tools on the Web
Collaborative Document Creation
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25. Cool Tools on the Web
Image Sharing and Commenting
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26. Cool Tools on the Web
Social Bookmarking
Bookmark collection
Accessible f
A ibl from any computer
Can be shared with others
Communication tools
Commenting on links
Highlights and sticky notes
Discussion topic threads
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27. Keeping Children Safer
Online
O li
Always review websites thoroughly
Watch for similar addresses!
Set limits on children’s online access
Supervise carefully
Teach children “ f surfing”
T h hild “safe fi ”
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28. Questions?
Dr. Diane B l
D Di Bales
Cooperative Extension
The University of Georgia
dbales@uga.edu
g
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