ERIC Reflection

After listening to the ERIC presentations, I have realized how important it is to include technology into the early childhood classroom. When including technology there are several areas you have to look at to insure that the safety and issues are met concerning technology. To allow technology to be used in the classroom you have to plan so that every area is covered. I learned that parents and students have to agree to an acceptable use policy that discusses the guidelines and safety measures involving technology. In order to plan effectively, teachers need to be flexible as well as knowledgeable of different software programs that are available. Teachers could form a technology team that would discuss new ideas or that would monitor new programs that could come out in the next five years. Teachers need to keep in mind however, that new technology is not always better. Sometimes new technology performs at a lower level because it is cheaper to produce and to buy.

Another issue I learned about after listening to the presentations were the gender, racial, and economic issues that involve technology. Children who come from a low socioeconomic environments, may not have the exposure to technology at home and may need extra support in the classroom. If teachers recognize this issue, he or she could pair children up to work cooperatively with peers that may be more knowledgeable of the software. After listening to the gender issues involving technology I have realized that women are becoming more knowledgeable and skilled at using technology. Even though men are still more dominant in this area, women are stepping up to the plate. This is because technology is becoming more and more prominent in our every day lives.

I am becoming more excited about including technology into my future classroom after hearing how to correctly implement different software programs. Children can learn so much from hands-on experiences and by using the computer they are learning in a more engaging way. A thought to keep in mind is including digital cameras in the classroom. Digital cameras could be used across the curriculum such as in a language arts activity. Children could take photos and then later write a story about what they photographed. Children could also take pictures for a science lesson of the different forms of precipitation throughout the year. There are so many ways that technology can be included in the classroom and I feel that it is my responsibility to introduce children to the various types of technology that are available.