Why an iPad for Early Childhood Education?Educational settings today consist of a vast array of people with differing backgrounds, cultures and disabilities or as Ashman (2009, p7) would refer to as a "cultural mosaic." Acknowledging and valuing the differences in knowledge, skills and experiences that children bring into classroom contexts is important, as to is understanding that all children have unique and individual ways of learning.
Play is fundamental to early childhood education in Australia. Leading early childhood organisation C&K have developed an early childhood curriculum framework Building Waterfalls (2011) that “recognises the value and richness of play as a catalyst for children’s learning and their ongoing engagement in meaningful experiences. When children play they approach experiences with interest, ownership, empowerment and possibility (C & K Pre Schooling Professionals, 2009).” Children’s immersion in their play illustrates how play enables them to |
simply enjoy being (Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for the Council of Australian Governments, 2009, p. 15), and when children are comfortable exploring their surroundings amazing learning journeys can be had. Play enables children to experience and to begin to understand difference and diversity. (Educators Framework, p. 30). Strategies outlined under the Early Years Learning Framework (Belonging, Being & Becoming, 2009) encourage strategies that are:
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Another important element in early childhood education is that of cooperative learning. Cooperative learning provides students the opportunity to achieve academic and social outcomes, through improved self-esteem, interpersonal relationships and building respect for one another’s strengths and limitations (Killen, 2009, p. 216). The opportunities given by the iPad links students to a global network of learning, enabling collaboration with their class peers, along with others students from anywhere in the world. |
The first video gives a short clip on an educators perspective on how iPads can be used in Early Childhood settings.
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The second video was created by the Apple corporation. While it does project a bias point of view, it provides interesting uses of applications across different educational areas from early childhood to university students.
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So, what does that mean for education and children in early childhood? How can this technology improve the learning experience?Since the release of the iPad, schools and early childhood facilities have begun to trial its use and application in different contexts. In particular the Victorian Deparment of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Queensland Department of Education and Training have been conducting trials of iPads in schools across their states. They have commented that:
From their trials they have developed a list of educational reasons to use iPads:
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There are not all positives however. During the trial conducted by the Queensland Education Department the following limitations where noted:
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For early childhood contexts there seems to be two strong arguments forming. The first being that children do not need technological tools to learn, but instead learn through experience in the real world, using their mind, body and social interactions with real people. The second argument is that we live in a technological world and that by exposing and integrating technology into early childhood settings we are enabling children a greater diversity of skills to create, collaborate and connect with the world. These two opinions are explored in a Television Report on the Wellington City Kids Child Care Centre, where educator Rowan Howell has integrated the use of iPad technology into the context. In this report there are four people interviewed giving their opinions on iPad technology in early childhood contexts:
Rowan Howell - Early childhood educator who believes iPads "blossoms their brains" Libby Carson - Parent from the center who states that early adoption of technology is important as it is their future. Tara Fagan - from Core Education regards iPad technology as a powerful mobile device that allows children to Create, Collaborate and Connect Sheryl Mace - Steiner School - does not agree with technology in early childhood contexts instead affirming the importance of real world experiences and interactions. To view this interview follow Techo Toddlers Video Share your thoughts on these arguments in the Forum section Real World vs. Virtual Learning |
If you are wanting to look further into how iPad's can be integrated into early childhood/primary contexts and further opinions on this topic, please feel free to view these further resources.
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