Some teachers believe that technology in the classroom can play a significant positive role; others believe that technology has overwhelmed a more natural childhood. Whatever your view, one thing is certain: technology is not going away...

Information for this article is from Chapter 18 of Children of 2020: Creating a Better Tomorrow, entitled “Technology,” by Douglas H. Clements and Julie Sarama, a valuable resource for teachers considering using technology with young children. Some highlights of findings from their studies are presented below.

When used wisely, computer technology can promote positive social interaction among children. Studies show that children working together on computer projects communicate positively with each other. And preschoolers’ language activity is twice as high when interacting other children on a computer project than in any other play activity.

Collaboration also increases among children working together with technology, and this cooperation spills over into friendly interaction in other areas of the classroom. Disabled children especially benefit from this increased friendly interaction.

One surprising effect of technology is enhanced creativity. Using a computer drawing program, some young children created drawings that become increasingly elaborate. These new level of complexity was later shown to be used by the same children in artwork on paper.

Studies show that advances made by children through technology are transferrable to other areas of early childhood development. When used skillfully, technology can make substantial contributions to a program for young children. Many teachers underuse technology, saving it for vague “enrichment” or “rewards.” It is often offered as a free-choice learning center without much guidance, which can become dominated by a small number of children, often boys.

In contrast, successful teachers integrate technology into their existing programs. Conceptual learning tools and games that are integrated into the curriculum will show the largest achievement results. Successful use of technology takes time and planning. Some researchers estimate that it takes teachers three to six years to fully integrate information technology into their teaching activities.

Useful Tips

• Teachers need regular access to computers and technology over a period of years, in order to develop significant changes in their programs. Some teachers need to confront their own deeply held beliefs about learning and teaching.
• Teachers may need ongoing support regarding teaching and technology.
• Teachers of young children need concrete suggestions regarding how to put computers to work in classrooms and how to integrate them into other types of classroom activities.

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