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?