the impact of technology for diverse learners center for best practices in early childhood education...

The Impact of Technology for Diverse Learners

The Impact of Technology for Diverse Learners

Center for Best Practices in Center for Best Practices in

Early Childhood EducationEarly Childhood Education

Western Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois University

Presented ByPresented By

Carol BellCarol Bell

ProjectsProjects

Early Childhood Emergent Literacy Early Childhood Emergent Literacy Research ProjectResearch Project

Literacy Demonstration (ITLC)Literacy Demonstration (ITLC) LitTECH Interactive OutreachLitTECH Interactive Outreach Early Childhood Emerging Literacy Early Childhood Emerging Literacy

Technology Curriculum (ELITEC)Technology Curriculum (ELITEC) LitTECH OutreachLitTECH Outreach

Key Findings of ResearchKey Findings of Research

Carries on a conversationCarries on a conversation Makes judgmentsMakes judgments ListensListens AttendsAttends Predicts sequence and outcomesPredicts sequence and outcomes Shares/Takes turnsShares/Takes turns

Key Findings of ResearchKey Findings of Research

Acquiring socialization and communication skillsAcquiring socialization and communication skills Using appropriate vocabularyUsing appropriate vocabulary Solving problemsSolving problems Using related literacy materialsUsing related literacy materials Articulating key conceptsArticulating key concepts Looking at or ‘reading’ a bookLooking at or ‘reading’ a book Identifying environmental printIdentifying environmental print

Effective Instructional StrategiesEffective Instructional Strategies

Appropriate softwareAppropriate software Curriculum integration with adaptationsCurriculum integration with adaptations Management strategiesManagement strategies

SoftwareSoftware

Three types of softwareThree types of software· Story based softwareStory based software· Tool and graphics softwareTool and graphics software· Authoring/Multimedia programsAuthoring/Multimedia programs

Software Evaluation ChecklistSoftware Evaluation Checklist

Open ended and allows the child opportunities to exploreOpen ended and allows the child opportunities to explore Problem solving opportunitiesProblem solving opportunities Feedback is effective and nonthreateningFeedback is effective and nonthreatening Children can be successfulChildren can be successful Encourages active involvementEncourages active involvement Content is developmentally appropriateContent is developmentally appropriate Easy navigation through program featuresEasy navigation through program features

Levels of InteractivityLevels of Interactivity Level 1Level 1· Minimal choicesMinimal choices· Specific pathSpecific path· Fixed responseFixed response· No control of textNo control of text· Very limited control of sound; on/offVery limited control of sound; on/off· No control of graphicsNo control of graphics Examples: Examples: Polar ExpressPolar Express, , New Frog and Fly, Mike New Frog and Fly, Mike

Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, and and Storytime TalesStorytime Tales

Level 5Level 5· Choices limited by childChoices limited by child· Control of pathControl of path· Responses limited by childResponses limited by child· Control of textControl of text· Control of sound and sound effectsControl of sound and sound effects· Control of graphics Control of graphics · Integrated contentIntegrated content Examples: Examples: Buildability,Buildability, HyperStudio, LogoHyperStudio, Logo

Why use Authoring Programs?Why use Authoring Programs?

Retelling and authoring a storyRetelling and authoring a story Reliving an eventReliving an event Introducing and reinforcing conceptsIntroducing and reinforcing concepts Creating vs. purchasingCreating vs. purchasing Gathering for a portfolioGathering for a portfolio

Integrating SoftwareIntegrating Software Appropriate software can be integrated into the Appropriate software can be integrated into the

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

Managing technology in the early childhood settingManaging technology in the early childhood setting Place the computer away from direct sunlight. Place the computer away from direct sunlight.

Avoids glare and damage.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 OrganizationCD Rom Organization

Plastic container Plastic container

• CD pouch

• Folders

EnvironmentEnvironment

AdaptationsAdaptations

Sign Up BookSign Up Book

Facilitates turn takingFacilitates turn taking Supports child management of computer Supports child management of computer

centerscenters Promotes writing for a purposePromotes writing for a purpose Encourages recognition of namesEncourages recognition of names

Sign-Up Book

Example of Sign Up BookExample of Sign Up Book

Sample Changes in Children’s WritingSample Changes in Children’s Writing

NRC RecommendationsNRC Recommendations Rich conceptual experiences that promote growth Rich conceptual experiences that promote growth

in vocabulary and reasoning skills.in vocabulary and reasoning skills. Encourage lexical development, from early Encourage lexical development, from early

referential (naming) abilities to relational and referential (naming) abilities to relational and abstract terms and finer-shaded meanings.abstract terms and finer-shaded meanings.

Encourage development of listening Encourage development of listening comprehension skills, and the kinds of syntatic comprehension skills, and the kinds of syntatic and prose structures that preschool children may and prose structures that preschool children may not yet have mastered.not yet have mastered.

NRC RecommendationsNRC Recommendations

Encourage development of children’s sense Encourage development of children’s sense of story.of story.

Encourage children’s sensitivity to the Encourage children’s sensitivity to the sounds of language.sounds of language.

Encourage development of children’s Encourage development of children’s concepts of print.concepts of print.

NRC RecommendationsNRC Recommendations

Encourage development of children’s Encourage development of children’s concepts of space, including directionality.concepts of space, including directionality.

Encourage development of children’s fine Encourage development of children’s fine motor skills.motor skills.

Motivate children to read. Motivate children to read.

ResourcesResources

Center for Best Practices in Early Center for Best Practices in Early ChildhoodChildhood

http://www.wiu.edu/thecenterhttp://www.wiu.edu/thecenter1-309-298-16341-309-298-16341-888-548-42781-888-548-4278ca-bell@wiu.educa-bell@wiu.edu