In order to help someone be a smart and well-rounded individual you have to start young. Using social media, smartphones, tablets and the Internet are all part of the everyday lives of most Americans today. This technology is being integrated into the lives of our children almost from the day they are born. Parents, guardians, and teachers are all responsible for introducing these children to use modern technology in the most appropriate and educational way possible.
Technology is so widespread that presently, a child will eventually be exposed to it early in life, especially in our education system. “Technology tools for communication, collaboration, social networking, and user-generated content have transformed mainstream culture” (NAEYC, 2012), when I was growing up I was lucky enough to have grown up with modern technology as it was just beginning to become mainstream. I was fortunate enough to have access to the Internet in the early to mid 1990s and was able to learn with the rest of the world how wonderful, mesmerizing, dangerous and scary it could be. Generation Y has learned how to effectively utilize the Internet just the same as someone who grew up learning a second language. Using new technology is essential in the classroom and is part of today’s society. Having technology available for use in schools can also be helpful for children of disadvantaged families who otherwise do not have access to a computer or tablet. When teaching children, it is important to determine if the technology used is complementing the child’s education or taking away valuable learning experiences. …show more content…
Young children may love to follow along with a book on a tablet or iPad but that does not always mean it is a helpful learning tool. As educators know, one student does not learn the same way as another student so for some, an interactive story app can be more helpful for more visual learners. A child may benefit more if a parent or teacher is reading a book along with them. On the other hand, tablets can be useful for other activities, such as exposing a child to games in which they can use and develop their decision-making skills. Many educators choose not to or are unable to use technology in their classrooms. In a survey given to 172 teachers who did not use technology tools, sixty percent expressed a lack of funding or insufficient budget was the reasoning. The second top reason for lack of technology use was because the teachers had concerns about the developmental appropriateness for children. (Simon, F., Nemeth, K., & McManis, D., 2013). In most cases, educators would like to use technology in the classroom but have an insufficient amount of money to do so. Gaining the proper funds can be difficult but it is not impossible to do. Some may have to think creatively and seek out possible technology grants for educators and schools. Great resources that can be used are sites such as, “DonorsChoose.org, which is a place where you can place your program’s wish list for donations” (Simon, F., Nemeth, K., & McManis, D., 2013). With the help of such resources, it can become possible for any institution to have access to technology for use in the classroom. When using technology in schools there should be technology standards for students. Some learning experiences that children may encounter include: the ability to “illustrate and communicate original ideas and stories using digital tools and media-rich resources, in a collaborative work group, use a variety of technology to produce a digital presentation, and independently apply digital tools and resources to address a variety of tasks and problems” (Ivers, K., 2003) just to name a few. In order for a school to gain more technology and use technology more effectively, it is highly recommended that a technology use plan be developed. A technology plan is a “two to three year plan which is developed to address these needs, including an overall vision for the schools’ use of technology, outcomes for students and staff, a timeline of events and anticipated outcomes, and a budget that will support the plan” (Ivers, K., 2003). If a plan is put into place, the students will benefit. Currently many schools are fortunate enough to have acquired modern technology for their students. The most common devices available in the
Technology is so widespread that presently, a child will eventually be exposed to it early in life, especially in our education system. “Technology tools for communication, collaboration, social networking, and user-generated content have transformed mainstream culture” (NAEYC, 2012), when I was growing up I was lucky enough to have grown up with modern technology as it was just beginning to become mainstream. I was fortunate enough to have access to the Internet in the early to mid 1990s and was able to learn with the rest of the world how wonderful, mesmerizing, dangerous and scary it could be. Generation Y has learned how to effectively utilize the Internet just the same as someone who grew up learning a second language. Using new technology is essential in the classroom and is part of today’s society. Having technology available for use in schools can also be helpful for children of disadvantaged families who otherwise do not have access to a computer or tablet. When teaching children, it is important to determine if the technology used is complementing the child’s education or taking away valuable learning experiences. …show more content…
Young children may love to follow along with a book on a tablet or iPad but that does not always mean it is a helpful learning tool. As educators know, one student does not learn the same way as another student so for some, an interactive story app can be more helpful for more visual learners. A child may benefit more if a parent or teacher is reading a book along with them. On the other hand, tablets can be useful for other activities, such as exposing a child to games in which they can use and develop their decision-making skills. Many educators choose not to or are unable to use technology in their classrooms. In a survey given to 172 teachers who did not use technology tools, sixty percent expressed a lack of funding or insufficient budget was the reasoning. The second top reason for lack of technology use was because the teachers had concerns about the developmental appropriateness for children. (Simon, F., Nemeth, K., & McManis, D., 2013). In most cases, educators would like to use technology in the classroom but have an insufficient amount of money to do so. Gaining the proper funds can be difficult but it is not impossible to do. Some may have to think creatively and seek out possible technology grants for educators and schools. Great resources that can be used are sites such as, “DonorsChoose.org, which is a place where you can place your program’s wish list for donations” (Simon, F., Nemeth, K., & McManis, D., 2013). With the help of such resources, it can become possible for any institution to have access to technology for use in the classroom. When using technology in schools there should be technology standards for students. Some learning experiences that children may encounter include: the ability to “illustrate and communicate original ideas and stories using digital tools and media-rich resources, in a collaborative work group, use a variety of technology to produce a digital presentation, and independently apply digital tools and resources to address a variety of tasks and problems” (Ivers, K., 2003) just to name a few. In order for a school to gain more technology and use technology more effectively, it is highly recommended that a technology use plan be developed. A technology plan is a “two to three year plan which is developed to address these needs, including an overall vision for the schools’ use of technology, outcomes for students and staff, a timeline of events and anticipated outcomes, and a budget that will support the plan” (Ivers, K., 2003). If a plan is put into place, the students will benefit. Currently many schools are fortunate enough to have acquired modern technology for their students. The most common devices available in the