Global Perspectives Research: Technology and Child Development

 

 

 

Mr. Rogers “sums it all up” with the following quote, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.  But for children, play is serious learning.  Play is really the work of childhood.”  During the course of my research efforts, I have been challenged and inspired to dig deep into the effects of technology on child development.  I have found that technology has changed the way in which children play within our technologically driven society. 

 

Technology usage increase at a steady rate as technological tools continue to advance.  Our children are exposed to this technology at early stages of life and, as adults, we are modeling this ‘plugged in’ behavior.  When one attends a restaurant and takes the time to absorb what is going on around them, you will see many people engaged in technology rather than enjoying the company of those that are with them.  Cell phones, I pods, laptops, I pads, and many more take our attention away from those around us.  We are so ‘plugged in’ that we are not plugged in to what is really going on around us.

Much of the research in which I have conducted supports technology within the facets of educational means.  The research that I have encountered also discusses the importance of creating a balance between play and technology during the early childhood years. 

 

Educators have an advantage of being equipped with many facets of technologies in the classroom environment.  These tools include computers, SMART boards, laptops, I pads, and many more.  Educators are competing with leap pads and apps that are engaging for these children as well.  Educators are having to work hard to implement technology as well as play based instruction in order to ensure that children are developing in an appropriate manner. 

 

My experiences in researching the topic of technology and child development through the realm of play has been challenging, enlightening, and inspiring.  I have learned much about this current topic that will continue to grow and change as technology continues to change and advance at a continuous rate.  However, it is my goal to influence others to research this topic and to understand the negative effects that technology can have on child development.  All of the research in which I have conducted has one thing in common, there needs t be a balance, an opportunity to unplug and take in the surroundings that are all around.  Technology is not going to disappear or be removed from a child’s life, it has many positive effects as well.  My goal as an advocate for social change is to make people aware of the need for a balance in order for children to develop in a positive manner.

 

IDEO: Innovative and Inspiring

Technology: Innovative and Inspiring Approaches

Technology is a tool which is constantly changing and updating; within early childhood settings, these technological tools are being implemented in order to better serve our early childhood students.  Early childhood classrooms are equipped with computers, I pads, SMART Boards, tablets, and much more. In my own classroom, I utilize these tools on a daily basis.  Children learn in many different ways, whether it be auditory, visual, or tactile and it is our job as educators to plan lessons and create a positive environment which facilitates to these ways of learning.  One way to meet these needs is the implementation of technology.  These applications and tools can be individualized to meet student needs.  There are many companies that are innovative and utilizing inspiring approaches to foster the needs of early childhood educators in their endeavors of incorporated instructional technology.  (http://www.ideo.com/expertise/education/). 

IDEO is an international design and consulting firm which designs effective learning experiences, so that students stay engaged, discover new meaning, and achieve desired outcomes. IDEO develops new digital apps and platforms, designs schools and other learning environments, and builds knowledge sharing systems for managing complex data across institutions - all of which center around the needs of core users, typically the learners themselves.  This company works toward developing innovative ways to help educators and students reach the goal of higher level of education through innovative and creative means. This company works toward enhancing student experiences through technological applications, creating positive online learning environments, as well as developing curriculum approaches for educators.  There are links on IDEO’s home page that go into much depth on their research and development that describe how they are creating positive change in the areas of early childhood education and frequently asked questions from the clients that will allow educators to continue to grow within the technological world in which we reside. 

According to IDEO and many other educators across the country, how might we help children learn through engaging, media - based experiences? How might we design tools that bring learners what they need when they need it? How might we inspire a generation of entrepreneurs to develop apps that effectively engage others in learning?  (http://www.ideo.com/expertise/education/).  As an early childhood educator, I can relate to the anxiety of learning to use the new technological tools that are being implemented into the classrooms each year.  For example, the SMART board was an intimidating tool when I first received one in my classroom and now, I could not imagine my instruction without it.  We continue to grow and find new innovative ways in which to educate our children.  Companies, such as IDEO are striving to make these technological challenges easier to utilize and more user friendly for educators as well as the students who use them.  How do you utilize technology within your classrooms?  What types of technological tools do you have available to you?  Do you utilize any applications that have been developed by companies such as IDEO that are beneficial in the early childhood environment? 

Technology and Academic Achievement

 

Technology and Academic Achievement

Children in today’s society are exposed to many facets of technology at an early age.  It is important to look at the use of instructional technology within the early childhood realm from multiple perspectives in order to uncover the positive and negative effects that technology can have on child development.  Experts in the field of child psychology such as Piaget, Vygotsky, and Freud discuss the importance of play in order to support the developmental process.  However, society has moved toward more technological approaches of play utilizing tablets, leap pads, computers, smart phones, just to name a few.  Therefore, the ways in which play has changed may alter the findings of these important figures in history on their perceptions of child development.  The question at hand is, are these effects and changes creating a positive or negative impact on the early childhood development process?

Within my county, students at the middle and high school levels will be participating in the one-to-one program.  This program designates one chrome laptop to each student for the duration of the school year.  The school system is also implementing wireless internet access on the school buses, so that these students may utilize these laptops on the buses to and from the school environment.  What are some of the technological tools that your systems are incorporating? 

It is my observation that we live in a ‘plugged in’ era.  Many youth are utilizing technology for dating, gaming, and other means that are not linked to educational purposes.  What are your thoughts on how these technologies are effecting the development of our youth?  After much research and discussions with educators in the early childhood field, it is apparent that we need more research on the effects of this technology on the development of our young children.  I believe that technology has positive and negative effects and it is imperative that we limit the amount of exposure or the facets in which the technologies are used in order to support the positive development of our children.   

 “Digital technologies are changing the developmental landscape for young people. The task of designing innovative approaches to support children and youth in their good uses of technology goes beyond educators. It involves families, child development experts, mental health professionals, child advocates, and all others who have influence in a child’s life.” (Bers, 2010, p. 21).  With this being said, how do educators and parents work toward balancing play-based exploration and the utilization of technology? 

References

Bergen, D., & Davis, D. (2011, Summer). Influences of Technology Related Playful Activity and Thought on Moral Development. American Journal of Play, 4, 80-99. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=5&sid=7d5ae49f-9080-490f-8b76-314abb7a3502%40sessionmgr110&hid=127&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#db=eric&AN=EJ985549

Bers, M. U. (2010). Beyond Computer Literacy: Supporting Youth’s Positive Development through Technology. New Directions for Youth Development, 2010(128), 13-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/yd.371.