Week 12

The most important thing that I learned about using technology in the early grades is that it can be done and easily. Three additional things I learned are, first there are many programs that young children can use that fit the curriculum of the early grades. Kidsperation and Kerpoof are two programs that are easy to use and that can provide good experiences for young children. Second, the teacher does not have to do all the technology work. While the teacher may need to structure the lesson to provide support in using technology, the technology available is easily used by children. For example, I have a two year old nice who knows how to work an i-pod touch. If she can use that technology school aged children should be capable of using simple technology. The last thing I learned is that the children can work together with technology. This will support learning how to use the technology and the actually curriculum while helping children work together. In short, technology is absolutely a useful and important tool for children to learn in the early grades.