Using Technology to Enhance Elementary Education Essay -- Education, T

Introduction Even though too much technology will cause the child not to think outside the box but look for other technology to bail out the child's thought process, technology does allow the child to learn quicker. Because technology allows the teacher to develop lessons at the child’s pace and learning level and Visual and interactive technology allows the child to learn and correct their errors without feeling hurt or discouraged. Children need real-life experiences with real people to benefit from available technologies. Technologies used to enhance curriculum and experiences for children benefit young children the greatest are those that are interactive and allow the child to develop their curiosity, problem solving and independent thinking skills. Technology increasingly finds its way into mainstream culture, the types and uses of technology in early childhood programs have also expanded dramatically to include computers, tablets, e-books, mobile devices, handheld gaming devices, digital cameras and video camcorders, electronic toys, multimedia players for music and videos, digital audio recorders, interactive whiteboards, software applications, the Internet, streaming media, and more. These technologies are increasingly expanding the tools and materials to which young children have access both in their homes and in their classrooms, affecting the ways in which young children interact with the world and with others. (NAEYC, 2011) The topic is controversial of technology in early childhood education while exciting and potentially valuable things are happening with children and computers, we may not be using these tools in the best ways, or obtaining the results we expect. The more useful question is what are ... ...hnology.htm NAEYC. (2011). Technology in early childhood programs Retrieved December 8, 2011 from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Draft Technology in Early Childhood Programs 4-29-2011.pdf Scoer, J., Ellis, D., & Railsback, J. (2001, June) Technology in early childhood education finding the balance. Retrieved December 9, 2011 from http://www.netc.org/earlyconnections/byrequest.pdf Theodotou, E. (2010, September 18). Using computers in early years education: What are the effects on children's development? some suggestions concerning beneficial computer practice. International Scientific Conference , Retrieved December 9, 2011 from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED514555.pdf Young children and computers. (2011). Retrieved December 10, 2011 from http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/toddler-learning/young-children-and-computers.aspx