Technology can be a great and advantageous way to deliver information to students if used properly and accordingly. Although my major is education, I have my heart set on teaching pre-school to first grade. I really connect with the younger kids, as I worked in a preschool room at a daycare all summer. With that being said, I know that technology will only work in a classroom setting with these age children if it involves visuals, and the students can interact with it. Smart boards are a great example of this, and I very much hope a school I work at will have these. If not, I would deliver information to students with Gloggster, or Prezzi (rather than powerpoint) because the setting is more fitting. With these two sites or apps, the visuals are easier to follow but engaging and the children can move along to each new picture or fact in a fun way. However, the one thing I worry about is them losing attention with these presentations if they're too lengthy, as children that age do best with hands-on activities. If my school is as fortunate enough as some Professor Dreier has mentioned, I think Ipads would be great for each student to hold and follow along a lesson plan. It does concern me that technology tends to be more for the older children or teenagers though, and I really want to find a way 3-6 year olds can benefit, without the standard technology class but in my own classroom!
I have a lot of cousins at this age group who are in classrooms like how you are descibing it now. The ways technology can be used and the types utilized are very nice. That being said, I feel too much will overwhelm their age. Keeping it simple like an ipad in class and not a smart-board would be better, as its something more familiar and hands on.
ReplyDeleteJessie- I agree with your idea of using glogster and prezi instead of PowerPoint. I think that PowerPoint can be confusing for kids at this age. If you are familiar with smart boards I think It can still be advantageous for young students
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