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Childhood Education
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To cite this article: Kathleen Glascott Burris & Carol Wright (2001) Review of Research: Children and Technology: Issues,
Challenges, and Opportunities, Childhood Education, 78:1, 37-41, DOI: 10.1080/00094056.2001.10521686
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2001.10521686
Carol Wright is Education and Behavioral Sciences Librarian, Pennsylvania State University Libraries, and PSU Schreyer Honors College Librarian and a Schreyer Honors College Faculty Fellow.
Educators face compelling questions regarding the integration of
technology into the instructional environment. Although the use of
technology by young children is
particularly controversial, successful integration of technology is an
issue at all levels.
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CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION
Tomorrow (ACOT),which demonstrated that technology in the classroom can significantly increase the
potential for learning (Apple Computer Inc., 2000). The Connecticut
Association of Boards of Education
(2000)also conducted a broad-based
assessment to document the benefits of technology, surveying, beyond simple computer counts, the
degree of integration of computer
competencies, student achievement, and professional development support.
The report Does It Compute?
(Weglinsky, 1998) documents a
study that used a national database, the 1996National Assessment
of Educational Progress in Mathematics, as well as advanced analysis techniques, to isolate the effects
of the computer from the myriad
other factors involved in student
achievement. This study found that
both teachers professional development in technology and the use
of computers to teach higher-order
thinking skills were positively related to academic achievement in
mathematics and the social environment of the school. Furthermore, the greatest inequities in
achievement were found in how
computers were used, not how often they were used (Weglinsky,
1998).
Several recent research literature
reviewsexaminethe benefits of educational technology on student attitudes, applications to basic and
advanced skills, and strategies for
implementation (Kosakowsh, 1998;
National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC],
2000; Project Pegasus, 1999). An
industry-sponsored study, Research Report on the Effectiveness
of Technology in Schools, reports
that technology benefited student
achievement, student self-concept
and attitudes, and teacher-student
interaction, in addition to improving software design (Software &
Information Industry Association,
2000).
fessional development. Nevertheless, computers should only supplement, and not replace, highly valued
early childhood activities and materials, such as art, blocks, sand,
water, books, explorationwith writing materials, and dramatic play.
Researchers found that substantial levels of scaffoldingby computers increased preschoolers
language-related cognitive skills
(Shute & Miksad, 1997). Scaffolding provided by the computer and
Internet resources also can be successful in promoting a collaborative environment, as discovered
in a study of Internet exploration
using partnered 3rd-graders on
paired keyboards (Peters, 1996).
How computers are used with
young children appears to be more
important than if computers are
used at all. Issues of parent collaboration, teacher training, and
selection of appropriate software
are also key to the ultimate success
in integrating instructional technologies (Haugland, 2000).
Programs demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating technology into early childhood education
are accessible on the Internet. One
notable program is the Early
Childhood Technology Literacy
Project, Montgomery County
(Maryland)Public Schools, which
won the 2000 Computerworld
Smithsonian Award in the Education and Academia category. Several organizations and commercial
sites supporting the use of educational technologies make available
research reviews and supporting resources. Among them are Technology and Young Children, a site
of the National Association for the
Education of Young Childrens
TechnologyCaucus (2001)found at
www. techandyoungchildren.org/
indexshtml, and Children and
Computersfound at www.children
andcomputers.com(Kidsand Computers, Inc., 2000). Desirable improvements for expanding the
on-line, networked environment for
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APPENDIX
WEBSITES
FOR TEACHERS
AND PARENTS
AskERIC Lesson Plans: http: / / askeric.org/Virtual /Lessons
Best Practice Resources: www.teachermentors.com
Bigchalk: www.bigchalk.com
ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies Education: www.indiana.edu / -ssdc/eric-chess.htm
EducationWorld: www.education-world.com
Family Education Network: www.FEN.com /home
The Gateway Lesson Plans: www.thegateway.org
Global Schoolhouse: www.gsn.org/project/ indexhtml
International Classroom Exchange: www.stolaf.edu /network/iecc
Lightspan: www.lightspan.com
National Council for History Education (References and ERIC Resources): www.history.org/nche
Online Collaborative Projects [Pitsco]: www.pitsco.com/p / Respages / collab.htm1
SafeKids.com : www.safekids.com
Technology Plans for K-12 Schools: www.nctp.com
About.com Family Internet: http: / / familyinternet.about.com/ internet/ familyinternet / mbody.htm
EXAMPLES
OF SCHOOL,
DEPARTMENTAL,
AND COURSE
SITES
Cinco de Mayo (a sample Grades 2-3 site): www.zianet.com/hatchelementary /Cinco.html
Hazels Home Page: www.marshall-es.marshall.kl2.tn.us/jobe
Loogootee West Elementary School [Indiana]: www.siec.kl2.in.us/ -west
Princeton, Ohio: www.phs.princeton.kl2.oh.us
Alachua, Florida social studies site: www.sbac.edu / -fhs/SocStudHome.htm
Montgomery County, Maryland, Schools Social Studies Program: www.mcps.kl2.med.us/ curriculum/socialstd
WEB SITES FOR CHILDREN
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