Finding the Balance

Technology in Early Childhood Education: Finding the Balance
by Judy Van Scoter
June 2001

Van Scoter's booklet goes beyond the question of whether or not to use technology but how to use it in a classroom setting.  She details how to create a healthy balance with technology in the classroom by describing multiple ways technology can aid social, cognitive, language, and emotional development.  Before using technology in the classroom, Van Scoter stresses that teachers should ask themselves whether or not the technology would add to the educational experience, not replace the interaction or material that the children need to learn.  Factors like location and time are key to making technology use healthy and effective; computers located in the classroom as opposed to a lab and gauging  computer time slots based on age are important to support the students' learning.  With so many available programs, teachers must choose those that are relevant and realistic for the age group.  The programs should provide support in subject areas already being taught or form foundational computer skills that they will build on for the rest of their education and career after.

It was refreshing to read an article that takes the issue of technology in classrooms deeper than simple pros and cons because there are significant contributions to both sides.  Whether or not we believe technology should be a part of the classroom, children will be affected by it.  Their experiences using technology or observations of others form the attitudes, minds, beliefs, and habits they bring to the classroom.  The specific examples given in the booklet can be useful in the classroom to change bad impressions or habits that children have already developed or simply create a strong foundation in technical skills.  Based on information in the reading, I have an idea of how I hope to use technology in the classroom.  Many classrooms use centers to practice different skills; rather than taking the students to a computer lab I would make a center in the classroom.  In that situation, it gets as much time and emphasis as the other activities and is in a perfect place to add to the lessons and support their learning by providing a fun way to practice their skills.  For the pre-school age children, a teacher's aide could be there to assist them and teach them.  This is only one of many possible solutions to incorporate technology in the classroom in a healthy and supportive way.