The Role of Technology in Early Childhood Programs

Technology in the classroom is a controversial topic in United States schools. Most educators and parents would agree that technology should be incorporated in the curriculum. However, what age group/grade should technology be incorporated? The article “The Role of Technology in Early Childhood Programs”, written by Francis Wardle, is focused on integrating technology in early childhood programs.

In the beginning of the article, the author favors the idea that it would depend on an early childhood programs overall program goals and objectives for each student. It would also depend on how computers are incorporated into the early childhood curriculum. The author also discloses that most experts believe computers are not developmentally appropriate for children under the age of three, however, these same experts believe children three years and older can begin to successfully explore and use computers. I disagree with this statement. I believe age three is an inappropriate age to begin exploring computers. At that age, most children have not developed reading skills. I believe at that age, children can continue to learn by educational toys or watching age appropriate educational videos/ television shows.  I believe that technology should be integrated in the classroom at a young age; however, children should not learn how to access computers until the ages of 4 or 5. This would be around the preschool and kindergarten grade level. At this period, children should know, or learning the alphabet and numbers. This stage is also known as Piaget’s pre-operational stage.

The pre-operational stage is considered as the concrete learning stage. This is when children are interested in using newly learned symbolic representation, such as speaking, writing, drawing and using numbers.  Children have difficulties sitting still and need frequent changes in learning. This is also the stage when children are continuing to explore their language. I believe due to this, it is appropriate time for children to begin learning the fundamentals of using technology in the classroom.

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=302

Integrating technology in the classroom follow up

My Opinion on integrating technology in the classroom has not changed. I still feel it is necessary to have technology integrated as part of the curriculum. Today’s world relies on technology and there are no signs that this will decrease. Instead, the usage of technology will continue to increase as time goes by. It is crucial to prepare our students for the workforce since technology is an important tool used. It is also necessary for the U.S classroom to integrate technology to stay current with other advance countries, such as china. If we
fall behind, eventually our country won't be considered as reliable.

Another example of why integrating technology in the classroom is necessary is it’s a way of communicating with others locally, nationally and even internationally. Technology has made it both affordable and less time
consuming to have business meetings, communication among other schools, or to just stay in touch with love ones regardless of the locations. Technology has made communication, sending and receiving information within a few seconds for people.

Overall integrating technology in the classroom is crucial due to its a part of the human race's lifestyle that will continue to evolve as time continues.