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4 Keys to Finding and Using Technology in Early Elementary Classrooms

4 Keys to Finding and Using Technology in Early Elementary Classrooms

Source: Edvocate

Incorporating tech into the classroom appropriately can be particularly challenging with younger students. Here are some suggestions for balancing innovation and safety.

technology in early elementary classrooms

Finding quality technology resources to incorporate into the classroom can be challenging for any teacher, but it may be a particularly tall order for teachers of younger students. As a kindergarten teacher, I’m all too aware of the heightened concerns about screen time and what is and is not age-appropriate for our littlest pupils. Here are a few suggestions to help bring tech tools that are age-appropriate and educationally relevant into the classroom without spending a ton of time hunting them down.

1) Pick visual media with a specific teaching purpose.

So many kids come to school without basic social skills, and heavy use of technology can impede their development in that area. I want to make sure that if I’m using technology in my classroom, it’s meaningful, engaging, and relevant to the lesson. It can’t be an excuse for me to be lazy and say, “Here, I couldn’t think of anything better to do, so just sit on the iPad.”

One example of how video technology can do more than just present information is Skype Virtual Field Trips. My school is about two and a half hours south of Atlanta, and I have students who have not had the opportunity to visit. Going places like California or the Statue of Liberty in New York are not feasible either, but with nothing more complicated than a webcam, we can bring the outside world into our classroom.

We use video in a variety of other ways, as well. I find videos make great warmup exercises. When we practice with math, for example, we might begin by watching a video to practice counting to 100 or reviewing our shapes. Young kids love to sing and dance, and videos with songs about the alphabet are a great way to get the party started some days. Other times, we may watch a video about particular letters or sight words we’re working on, just to reinforce concepts that we’ve covered during other activities.

To read the entire article, please visit The Edvocate.