Past projects 2
More Technology Wizards!
Funded Nov 29, 2017Technology is a powerful tool in helping young children learn and explore new concepts and materials. The many new available technologies allow teachers to individualize lessons. They also encourage children to work in a variety of groupings. Technology stretches their imagination and provides scaffolding for new understanding.
Watching children interact with Mo the Monster in the Osmo Creative game is such fun. The children use a white board to draw an object as directed. It is a magical moment when Mo picks up the object and uses it in his space in the I-Pad! This interaction is unlike anything that either they or I have previously experienced. They have had so much fun playing this game and sharing it with their friends. Mo has led to many imaginative discussions between children.
The materials that I purchased with More Technology Wizards are unique in the way children interact with them and the choices that they can make while using the I-Pads. I set stations up in the morning and children come in and get right to work. The sign-in process is simple to learn so children get busy working on a skill at their particular level with little adult assistance. The technology allows student choices to be guided by their particular knowledge. The self-direction that this allows fosters a powerful sense of independence.
Although the stations are set-up for independent use, it is not unusual to find a cluster of students around one I-Pad. The student that is signed in to the activity is eager to share what they are learning. The other students are curious about the different games and activities children are doing. They are also eager to offer suggestions and critiques on what is happening. This collaboration has occurred as a natural extension of these new technologies.
Research suggests that newer technologies are not yet widely available in early childhood education. The generous donations through Donors Choose have allowed our classroom to have access to these valuable resources. We have found that newer technology has fulfilled its promise as a powerful tool in the classroom.”
With gratitude,
Teacher Finley
Tiny Technology Wizards!
Funded Nov 20, 2017Young children are exposed to technology at every turn. From smart phones, to tablets, to media used at church or in the classroom. Therefore it is critical that early childhood educators capitalize on the potential of cutting edge technology and new media to enhance learning opportunities for all children.
Interactive media has proved engaging to children of all ages. It is not unusual to see children on phones or tablets everywhere you go. The Osmo and Tiggly kits that we received through your donations have changed the quality of engagement for these children. Previously, all technology tools have drawn students into the program to learn. Newer media includes manipulatives that extend the interaction out of the tablet, into the student's world. Now students have letter or number tiles that they use to respond to prompts. A mirror attached to the I-Pad allows it to read the tile and respond to the child. This new element creates a unique type of interaction, involving more modalities: visual, auditory and kinesthetic.
Engaging the different learning styles is an additional benefit of children using these technologies. The programs that work with the tiles are adaptable so they can meet the needs of each individual student in a way that large groups cannot. Furthermore, the progress of each student can be saved and future activities individualized. These assignments, can then be carried out by students, independently, with minimal teacher intervention. Every student is so eager to use the I-pads that we have had to create a rotation schedule so they each get their time!”
With gratitude,
Teacher Finley