Using Technology With Young Children

I am constantly amazed at the amount of technology children are able to use to meet subject concepts. I was unaware of things that children as young as five years old are able to do. I never thought to allow kindergarten children to use a word processor. In my classroom, children use the computer to play educational games. I never thought to provide activities using the word processor such as trying their names or the names of their classmates, or typing sight words or word families. I am learning more and more about involving children in activities that would incorporate the use of the computer. My students love to use the computer but they are getting bored with the learning games I have that teach phonics concepts, and math skills. There is so much more that can be utilized to motivate children to learn.

In researching the lesson plan assignment, I went to the Alabama Course of Study for Technology in Kindergarten. I was amazed at what children are learning about technology. I feel I am learning right along with my students. The course of study states that young children learn best when they are allowed to explore and interact. Learning should be a hands-on experience and developmentally appropriate. Teachers need to provide activities that provide opportunities for technology objectives to be experienced as they learn throughout the curriculum. As I learned in the lesson plan assignment, all subjects can be taught and enhanced through the use of technology. I am beginning to use more technology in my classroom due to the insights I have discovered by taking this technology class. My students are excited that I am taking this technology class as they are getting more exposure to the computer. It goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks! I am enjoying this class because I am learning so much that I know will benefit my students. Wish I had learned this many years ago! Better late than never, wouldn't you say!