We want to be thoughtful about introducing technology to the analog sort of play that kids engage in so naturally and beautifully and get so much out of. We need to ask, what’s the added value?There is much research and debate on the affects of technology and screen-time on young learners. Blended Learning Programs can be very individualized and can arguably be a hindrance to peer-to-peer interaction. We do have kindergarten students using a blended learning math program, but not in PreK. Early childhood educators have very strong opinions on whether or not to integrate technology at a young age and for what purpose. While there are some products that seem to marry the digital with the tactile such as Tiggly and Osmo, the question still remains is there a place for technology in the early childhood classroom?
Elizabeth Rood, vice president of education strategy, Bay Area Discovery Museum
What is technology's role in early childhood education?
Voice Thread in ECE
Technology Resources for Early Childhood Learning
Five-Year Olds And Laser Cuttersperfect Together? Welcome To The First Early Childhood Fab Lab https://t.co/nAI5dMsXe0 Cool #makered— JackieGerstein Ed.D. (@jackiegerstein) July 11, 2016
Have you seen technology used meaningfully in the ECE world? Would you rather this was up to the parents and remained out of the ECE classrooms? I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.