The Big Question: How can creative and innovative technology be applied in an early childhood classroom setting, especially for nonreaders?
The sky's the limit, apparently! Upon deeper digging into the world of technology for early education, it appears that there are myriad resources and opportunities for teachers to engage even their youngest students in this type of learning. My research began with a fabulous introduction to robotics with a learning toy called a Bee-Bot, but as I shifted my focus toward digital technology, even more tools surfaced.
Hello Ruby, a website with impeccable design and a clear angle toward young children, offers some such resources. Although the site ultimately aims to teach kids about coding, it's all packaged in small step doses that are extremely approachable. One lesson plan aims to "lower the barriers for kids to get acquainted with computers" (Liukas, 2015). Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students may have had some experience on a parent's computer, but in general, they spend much more time on touchscreen devices. Because they can't yet type, and many don't have the fine motor skills to finesse a trackpad, their computer time is still to come.
I liked this approach as a way to help small children understand what a computer does and how it gets its many jobs done--what's a more complex system than a computer? The hands-on project includes plenty of fine-motor practice time as students cut out the many bits and pieces in their own personal (paper) computer, and of course the addition of markers and crayons to add pizzazz would also be a big hit with little ones. It's a natural fit for ISTE Standard #1, as it builds on existing knowledge to generate fabulous new ideas, can be collaborative, and certainly inspires much creativity. Students are dreaming up their own computer, from the ground up--no reading required.
Hello Ruby, a website with impeccable design and a clear angle toward young children, offers some such resources. Although the site ultimately aims to teach kids about coding, it's all packaged in small step doses that are extremely approachable. One lesson plan aims to "lower the barriers for kids to get acquainted with computers" (Liukas, 2015). Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students may have had some experience on a parent's computer, but in general, they spend much more time on touchscreen devices. Because they can't yet type, and many don't have the fine motor skills to finesse a trackpad, their computer time is still to come.
I liked this approach as a way to help small children understand what a computer does and how it gets its many jobs done--what's a more complex system than a computer? The hands-on project includes plenty of fine-motor practice time as students cut out the many bits and pieces in their own personal (paper) computer, and of course the addition of markers and crayons to add pizzazz would also be a big hit with little ones. It's a natural fit for ISTE Standard #1, as it builds on existing knowledge to generate fabulous new ideas, can be collaborative, and certainly inspires much creativity. Students are dreaming up their own computer, from the ground up--no reading required.
The site has tons of activities and lesson plans for teachers, as well as materials parents could easily tackle at home. The best part of Hello Ruby, and what seems to stand out from the many other apps and websites, is that most of the content is actually utilized off-screen. There is a celebration and appreciation of computers, but the tools are a change of pace from yet another touchscreen experience. Even more important, however, is the foundation of basic tech skills that's accessible to students in such a fun format. I liken it to the process of getting excited about frogs, learning about frogs from books, watching frogs in their habitat, and developing a passion and fundamental understanding of frogs...before growing a little older and learning how to dissect the frog.
As we consider Tony Bates's call to develop students with strong digital skills, his imperative to teach students in small steps makes perfect sense for early learners (Bates, n.d.). Hello Ruby, and many more sites I have yet to discover, takes this mandate and provides fresh, engaging content in small bites that will inspire teachers and kids alike.
A sample of the beautiful design at helloruby.com
References
Bates, A. W. (n.d.). Fundamental change in education. In Teaching in a digital age (1). Retrieved from http://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/part/chapter-1-fundamental-change-in-education/
Liukas, L. (2015, October 15). For educators: Lesson Plan for My First Computer exercise. Retrieved from http://blog.helloruby.com/post/131553874873/for-educators-lesson-plan-for-my-first-computer
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| A sample of the beautiful design at helloruby.com |
References
Bates, A. W. (n.d.). Fundamental change in education. In Teaching in a digital age (1). Retrieved from http://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/part/chapter-1-fundamental-change-in-education/
Liukas, L. (2015, October 15). For educators: Lesson Plan for My First Computer exercise. Retrieved from http://blog.helloruby.com/post/131553874873/for-educators-lesson-plan-for-my-first-computer
Hi Holly,
ReplyDeleteI like the formatting of your blog, it is easy to read. I worked in early education for 8 years and the hello ruby resource is brilliant. The graphics are beautiful too. It is a good resource to have in your tool box. Thanks for sharing.
Elli