tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post158285203895731387..comments2024-03-28T19:36:12.851-04:00Comments on Room to Grow: Making Early Childhood Count!: Technology Literate Early Childhood EducatorsT. Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-9781542098706760782010-01-28T05:49:27.174-05:002010-01-28T05:49:27.174-05:00Technology matters in all situation!! Technology g...Technology matters in all situation!! Technology gives the better idea or technique to early childhood educators to play with kids and parents!!early childhood educationhttp://www.centennialcollege.ca/Programs/ProgramOverview.aspx?Program=1212&Calendar=2010-2011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-21998664811490703202009-08-16T22:40:38.691-04:002009-08-16T22:40:38.691-04:00@ fssimon: Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I a...@ fssimon: Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I agree that we need to take a top down approach to implementing technology in ECE. If directors/owners don't "buy into it" then they won't provide the teachers (who may be willing and capable) with the proper equipment or access. <br /><br />Regarding the software...I agree with you. The problem is too many of our ECE classrooms are not connected to the Internet and those that are, are probably used more for online games which really are not much different then some of the software that is on the shelves already.<br /><br />I LOVE this comment: "ECE is like a third world country in terms of using technology to manage real-life business problems." Very powerful statement!<br /><br />And finally, I add an RSS Feed :)T. Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-16853954486017723702009-08-16T22:35:08.470-04:002009-08-16T22:35:08.470-04:00@VickiEhlers: Thanks Vicki. I am looking forward t...@VickiEhlers: Thanks Vicki. I am looking forward to exploring this topic more in the near future!T. Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03345854275926599107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-44300449321973865622009-08-16T11:49:14.371-04:002009-08-16T11:49:14.371-04:00I just went through your links. While I am thrille...I just went through your links. While I am thrilled to see a new dialog emerging, the same trends are obvious to me by scanning the sites you suggested. <br /><br />First, the focus of everyone's interest is still on using technology with children in the classroom. Because so many new teachers are young enough to be completely immersed in technology and enthusiastic enough to find creative uses in the classroom, there is a lot of potential for classroom implementation IF their administrators "get it," and wholeheartedly support and are able to supervise and guide teachers' use of technology as outlined by the NAEYC guidelines. But that is a BIG "IF," because so many administrators are not technology literate. They are unable to provide guidance and supervision. They are often not supportive and generally skeptical. Another concern in regard to classroom implementation is access to the technology resources they need. Donated computers and dial up Internet access will not do it. And, finally, when it comes to classroom implementation, by and large, the state of software development in the ECE space is horrible. Most titles are not developmentally appropriate, and are generally "commercial-grade." There are some standouts, but they are few and far between.<br /><br />Next up on my list of concerns: How far behind our field is in the most basic elements of promoting ourselves online. The sites you cited in your list may have good content, but all of them except NAEYC's new site (brilliant) illustrate lack of familiarity with current web design techniques and make a poor impression on the field. They do not exactly exude credibility in technology. It's like trying to market a new course on technology by typing a flier on a typewriter. Not exactly a technique that's likely to make a good impression or be effective. And these are the people who are leading the way for the rest of our field? Come on. We can do better. It is easy and cheap to create professional looking sites these days. No one needs to code by hand anymore, and site should not be so nasty. If worse comes to worse, people can use Wordpress or Blogger. Let's look professional. <br /><br />Overall, I think the conversation needs to turn from how to encourage technology implementation in the classroom to encouraging technology literacy in the front office. We are so far behind. ECE is like a third world country in terms of using technology to manage real-life business problems. I know (and have lived) all of the obstacles for administrators. But there comes a time when we have to collectively focus on solving a major obstacle for our field. I hope the best thinkers out there will join together to zero in on training, coaching, and mentoring administrators.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-17984871404272935972009-08-16T11:25:39.427-04:002009-08-16T11:25:39.427-04:00You make a thoughtful case about how technology ca...You make a thoughtful case about how technology can enhance the good works of early childhood educators. I look forward to hearing more about how EC educators are connecting and sharing through technology. Thanks!VickiEhlershttp://greenatbirth.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186667433819310087.post-3489516689583363172009-08-16T11:18:39.679-04:002009-08-16T11:18:39.679-04:00This is my dream. For years I was active on the Te...This is my dream. For years I was active on the Tech and Young Children Interest Forum at NAEYC. Over time, I grew impatient because there was so little we could do to encourage technology implementation. I was also discouraged because I know the most important impact we can have is on the administrators. I am very focused finding new ways to reach program administrators to ignite new passion for using technology to achive their goals. <br /><br />One comment: I wish you had an RSS feed on your blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com