Technology for the Tiny: Educational Technology for the Tiny: Educational Software and the Young ChildSoftware and the Young Child
SITE 2000 -Society for Information Technology and SITE 2000 -Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International ConferenceTeacher Education International Conference
February 11, 2000February 11, 2000San Diego, CASan Diego, CA
Sarah E. Irvine, Ph.D.
Andrea I. Prejean, Ed.D.
American University
NAEYC CriteriaNAEYC Criteria
• Age, individually, and culturally appropriate• Enhance cognitive and social abilities• Integrated into learning environment• Promote equitable access• Eliminate stereotyping• Eliminate exposure to violence• Pre-service and inservice training should be
provided
http://www.naeyc.org
NCTM GoalsNCTM Goals
• Value • Confident• Problem Solvers• Communicate• Reason
http://www.nctm.org
NCTM Standards & IconsNCTM Standards & Icons
Population and MethodologyPopulation and Methodology
• Two groups
• Thirty-five children (2-, 3-, and 4- years olds)
• Children of students, staff, and faculty a mid-size, urban university
• Paired with a buddy (undergraduates)
• Software evaluation form
MethodologyMethodology
Emerging ThemesEmerging Themes
• Children have a range of aptitudes and abilities
• Quality of software varies
• Skills needed to operate the software vary
• Any software package can be used to facilitate communication
Quality of SoftwareQuality of Software
• Freeware
• Commercial
• Shareware
• Mathematics
• Graphics--Animation
Wide Range of Abilities Wide Range of Abilities
• University early childhood center
• Understanding of mathematics
• Computer Aptitude
Operating SkillsOperating Skills
• “Look at the software through your children’s eyes”
• Need a buddy
• Text-based instruction
• Motor skills
• Clickable buttons
Facilitating CommunicationFacilitating Communication
• Social Interaction– Communicating with adults– Communicating with peers
• Self-talk
• Non-verbal communication
FreewareFreeware
• Toy Story Concentration
• Rhythm of the Bells
SharewareShareware
• Checkers Playroom
• Wilbur Worm and the Apple Orchard
• Sun and Moon
• Number Aquarium
Commercial Commercial
• Baby ROM
• Millie’s Math House
• Trudy’s Time & Play House
• JumpStart Toddlers
• JumpStart Preschool
ConclusionsConclusions
• Interaction
• Appropriateness of the content
• Choose software that enables children to:– Question and speculate– Discuss and guess– Supplement other strategies for exploring the
content
• Presentation of material
Technology’s RoleTechnology’s Role
+
= optimum instructional opportunity
Sarah E. IrvineSarah E. [email protected] [email protected]
Andrea I. PrejeanAndrea I. [email protected]@american.edu