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Imagine that you possess the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field. Imagine further that you are not restricted by the reality of the present. Imagine that your study will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families. What topic would you choose? What can you imagine the positive contribution(s) would be?
If I could conduct a research study on any topic where I was not restricted by reality of the present I would choose: The Effects of Technology on Early Childhood Education.
In this new generation, children are growing in a technologically complex and diverse environment. "technological advances are used more frequently. Today’s students have access to the Internet, which allows them to research and use websites that enhance their knowledge and satisfy their leisure times." (Hudson, S; et al 2010) Lifestyles are changing as technology is becoming more readily available. The technology is affecting the development of this new generations. How exactly is it affecting the children? "In the field of the early years settings there is a dilemma whether or not early childhood teachers should use technology as a teaching and learning resource. There are arguments that implementing technology is beneficial when the students are interacting with one another and the adult is leading the direction. There are risks with over use, and that the overuse will have negative implications on the child's development. (Theodotou, 2010)
Is there an impairment in their cognitive abilities? Is technology taking away from their ability to problem solve?
This study will have major contributions to the new and developing worlds where it seems that a person does need a computer to get by in the world.
Books are now becoming electronic, video games are portable and some are even being marketed as educational!
When technology is used appropriately, it could have beneficial outcomes for the children. (Theodotou, 2010) as long as the children are using the technology appropriately, the teachers are assisting in the learning, then the computers and other technology can be beneficial.
Would the introduction of computers into classrooms take away from the tangible, concrete objects? Manipulatives, a concrete and tangible object, are an important part of children development as they include the use of different senses, A child can see and touch objects while manipulating them.
There are also beneficial factors for technology to help with certain skills such as math. "Technology can serve a number of roles in increasing knowledge of basic skills in mathematics. For, example a calculator can increase a students ability to problem solve." (Hudson, S; et al 2010)
"When a parent is involved in the child's every day activities, the children are more likely to embrace technology for creative, educational purposes rather than just a medium for gaming." (Heim, et al 2007)
When technology is used appropriately, it could have beneficial outcomes for the children. (Theodotou, 2010) as long as the children are using the technology appropriately, the teachers are assisting in the learning, then the computers and other technology can be beneficial.
Would the introduction of computers into classrooms take away from the tangible, concrete objects? Manipulatives, a concrete and tangible object, are an important part of children development as they include the use of different senses, A child can see and touch objects while manipulating them.
There are also beneficial factors for technology to help with certain skills such as math. "Technology can serve a number of roles in increasing knowledge of basic skills in mathematics. For, example a calculator can increase a students ability to problem solve." (Hudson, S; et al 2010)
"When a parent is involved in the child's every day activities, the children are more likely to embrace technology for creative, educational purposes rather than just a medium for gaming." (Heim, et al 2007)
I think through research and discovery we can find ways to make the technology work for us. to help the children be more interested in the uses for creative and educational purposes other than for just gaming and leisure.
Resources:
Heim, J., Brandtazeg, P. B., Kaare, B. H., Endestad, T., & Torgersen, L. (2007). Children's usage of media technologies and psychosocial factors. new media and society, 425-454.
Hudson, S., Kadan, S., Lavin, K., & Vasquez, T. (2010). Improving Basic Math Skills Using Technology. 1-80.
Theodotou, E. (2010). Using Computers in early years education: What are the effects on children's development? Some suggestions concerning beneficial computer practice. International Scientific Conference, 1-5.
5 comments:
Cassie,
I believe that technology has taken over the lives of the children. (Please know that I am an old school person)
For the children in early years technology is the lesure,fun,games as well as the babysitter.For older children it is their companinon.They have to have it in hand all the time and under the pillow even at night.I feel that we as adults have let children grasp the technology for the werst, than for the better. I have noticed that the children do not appreciate human interactions much due to the technology. We have to figure out the middle path, teach the children how to use the technology in moderation.
Great topic, thank you for sharing.
Cassie, I like your topic of choice for a research. It would be awesome if some one did conduct this type of reasearch to find out if technology is a benefit of learning to our children and not only stop there but how do teachers implement this skill to meet all categories of the whole child. They would have to understand how cognitive, social, emotional, language, and literacy, science, math, social studies can be integrated into technology. This would meet the need of the child and technology can be the world of learning instead of leisure activites or a babysitter. I see it used that way a lot. Excellent topic.
Cassie,
What an interesting topic you choose and very interesting information especially with the world evolving in a technological direction. I have to agree with you regarding the comment that if parents are involved in their child's education the more likely the child is to have a positive academic outcome.
I think this is a great topic for research. Children these days spend so much time on the computer, whether it be handheld devices or laptops I think it interferes with their time to play. As you know play is so important to the development of children. They just do not play anymore. It would be interesting to find out what impact technology has had on the developing child.
Cassie I agree with you that technology has taken over with our young children they are always on the internet, webing and they are increasing their knowledge in different areas on different subjects. Children are so into games and the internet till they have no time for play.
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