The Impact of Technology for Diverse Learners Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education Western Illinois University Presented By Carol Bell

Projects Early Childhood Emergent Literacy Research Project Early Childhood Emergent Literacy Research Project Literacy Demonstration (ITLC) Literacy Demonstration (ITLC) LitTECH Interactive Outreach LitTECH Interactive Outreach Early Childhood Emerging Literacy Technology Curriculum (ELITEC) Early Childhood Emerging Literacy Technology Curriculum (ELITEC) LitTECH Outreach LitTECH Outreach

Key Findings of Research Carries on a conversation Carries on a conversation Makes judgments Makes judgments Listens Listens Attends Attends Predicts sequence and outcomes Predicts sequence and outcomes Shares/Takes turns Shares/Takes turns

Key Findings of Research Acquiring socialization and communication skills Acquiring socialization and communication skills Using appropriate vocabulary Using appropriate vocabulary Solving problems Solving problems Using related literacy materials Using related literacy materials Articulating key concepts Articulating key concepts Looking at or ‘reading’ a book Looking at or ‘reading’ a book Identifying environmental print Identifying environmental print

Effective Instructional Strategies Appropriate software Appropriate software Curriculum integration with adaptations Curriculum integration with adaptations Management strategies Management strategies

Software Three types of software Three types of software · Story based software · Tool and graphics software · Authoring/Multimedia programs

Software Evaluation Checklist Open ended and allows the child opportunities to explore Open ended and allows the child opportunities to explore Problem solving opportunities Problem solving opportunities Feedback is effective and nonthreatening Feedback is effective and nonthreatening Children can be successful Children can be successful Encourages active involvement Encourages active involvement Content is developmentally appropriate Content is developmentally appropriate Easy navigation through program features Easy navigation through program features

Levels of Interactivity Level 1 Level 1 · Minimal choices · Specific path · Fixed response · No control of text · Very limited control of sound; on/off · No control of graphics Examples: Polar Express, New Frog and Fly, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, and Storytime Tales Examples: Polar Express, New Frog and Fly, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, and Storytime Tales

Level 5 Level 5 · Choices limited by child · Control of path · Responses limited by child · Control of text · Control of sound and sound effects · Control of graphics · Integrated content Examples: Buildability, HyperStudio, Logo Examples: Buildability, HyperStudio, Logo

Why use Authoring Programs? Retelling and authoring a story Retelling and authoring a story Reliving an event Reliving an event Introducing and reinforcing concepts Introducing and reinforcing concepts Creating vs. purchasing Creating vs. purchasing Gathering for a portfolio Gathering for a portfolio

Integrating Software Appropriate software can be integrated into the curriculum to introduce, support, and expand learning based on content themes derived from children’s interests, everyday experiences, and educational knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values. Software provides an educational tool that encompasses learning domains from literacy and communication to art, music, social studies, science, math, and motor activities, and results in multiple outcomes. Appropriate software can be integrated into the curriculum to introduce, support, and expand learning based on content themes derived from children’s interests, everyday experiences, and educational knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values. Software provides an educational tool that encompasses learning domains from literacy and communication to art, music, social studies, science, math, and motor activities, and results in multiple outcomes.

Managing technology in the early childhood setting Place the computer away from direct sunlight. Avoids glare and damage. Place the computer away from direct sunlight. Avoids glare and damage. Select a low traffic area. Select a low traffic area. Place the computer on an appropriate surface. Place the computer on an appropriate surface. Encourage children to use different input devices. Encourage children to use different input devices. Two to three chairs available at computer. Two to three chairs available at computer. Software choices available to children. Software choices available to children.

CD Rom Organization Plastic container Plastic container CD pouch Folders

Environment

Adaptations

Sign Up Book Facilitates turn taking Facilitates turn taking Supports child management of computer centers Supports child management of computer centers Promotes writing for a purpose Promotes writing for a purpose Encourages recognition of names Encourages recognition of names

Sign-Up Book

Example of Sign Up Book

Sample Changes in Children’s Writing

NRC Recommendations Rich conceptual experiences that promote growth in vocabulary and reasoning skills. Rich conceptual experiences that promote growth in vocabulary and reasoning skills. Encourage lexical development, from early referential (naming) abilities to relational and abstract terms and finer-shaded meanings. Encourage lexical development, from early referential (naming) abilities to relational and abstract terms and finer-shaded meanings. Encourage development of listening comprehension skills, and the kinds of syntatic and prose structures that preschool children may not yet have mastered. Encourage development of listening comprehension skills, and the kinds of syntatic and prose structures that preschool children may not yet have mastered.

NRC Recommendations Encourage development of children’s sense of story. Encourage development of children’s sense of story. Encourage children’s sensitivity to the sounds of language. Encourage children’s sensitivity to the sounds of language. Encourage development of children’s concepts of print. Encourage development of children’s concepts of print.

NRC Recommendations Encourage development of children’s concepts of space, including directionality. Encourage development of children’s concepts of space, including directionality. Encourage development of children’s fine motor skills. Encourage development of children’s fine motor skills. Motivate children to read. Motivate children to read.

Resources Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood