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. Irvinesirvine@american.edu sirvine@american.edu

Andrea I. PrejeanAndrea I. Prejeanaprejea@american.eduaprejea@american.edu