Using Technology to enhance Science and

Social Studies Concepts

EDST 497B

Instructor: Alice Tunnell

Research• Teachers are also using the Internet as a resource for curriculum ideas and research,

taking children on virtual field trips, and as a powerful tool to help children explore ideas and access information

• The uses of digital technologies and the Internet in the classroom are as open-ended as the imagination and creativity of the teacher.

• Teachers need time to play, explore and discover, and integrate these experiences with their knowledge of developmental theory and research, and to understand how technology can best enhance children’s early learning.

Technology in Early Childhood Education, Child Care Information Exchange http://www.ccie.com/library/5015417.pdf

• The genie is out of the bottle; technology is here to stay. Young children live in a world of interactive media and they are growing up at ease with digital devices that may still puzzle their parents and grandparents

(Berson & Berson 2010; Buckleitner 2009; Calvert & Rideout 2005; Chiong & Shuler 2010; Couse & Chen 2010; Kerawalla & Crook 2002; Lisenbee 2009)

• In today’s technology-rich world, exciting new resources such as augmented reality games, 3D-rendered collaborative games, and immersive world environments represent the next frontier in digital learning for our youngest citizens—leaving it to talented educators and caring adults to determine how best to leverage each new technology as an opportunity for children’s learning.

Technology in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8,(2011), A joint position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Draft%20Technology%20in%20Early%20Childhood%20Programs%204-29-2011.pdf

Research (continued)• When used appropriately, technology can enhance children’s cognitive and social abilities

• Screen media can expose children to experiences that they cannot have in real life (exposure to animals, objects, people, landscapes, experiences, and virtual field trips).

• Digital media can also help children save, document, revisit, and share their real-life experiences through images, stories, and sounds.

• The goal of technology integration is for the use of technology to become routine and transparent—when the focus of a child or educator is on the activity or exploration itself, not on the technology being used.

• When the use of technology tools supports educator and program goals for children, provides children with digital tools for learning and communicating, and helps to improve child outcomes, then technology integration has been successful (Edutopia n.d.).

• To be successful and productive members of society in the 21st century, young children need opportunities to develop the early “technology-handling” skills akin to the “book-handling” skills that are associated with early literacy development.

Technology in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8,(2011), A joint position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Draft%20Technology%20in%20Early%20Childhood%20Programs%204-29-2011.pdf

Links to Explore• Journey North – a project-based site that includes curriculum online projects.

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/

• On the Street Where You Live – Online Mapping http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/techlp/techlp058.shtml

• FOSS(FULL OPTION SCIENCE SYSTEM)Webis the official site for the inquiry-based FOSS science curriculum. A place for support, resources, and fun activities. http://www.fossweb.com/

• Kidwings deals with different kinds of birds. It has some simulations that the students can participate in and games as well. http://www.kidwings.com

• Apples4theteacher http://www.apples4theteacher.com/science.html

• Scholastic http://teacher.scholastic.com/whiteboards/sciencemath.htm http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/learn.jsp

• Kids National Geographic http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

• Learning Games for Kids http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/animal-games-amphibians.html

• Sparky the Fire Dog http://sparky.org/#/Sparky

• Supporting Student Learning with Technology http://web.rbe.sk.ca/support/primary.html#9

• ABC Elementary Links Manitoba http://www.bpsd.mb.ca/teachresources/Elementary.htm#social• Canadian Science Activities http://www.science.gc.ca/Educational_Resources/Activities-WS0EECFABF-

1_En.htm

More Links• Animal Life Cycles

http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/classrooms/judi/life/activities/cycles/life_cycles.html

• Life Cycles, Animal and Plant, Interactive White Board http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/Phase2delivery/Wales/Science/Keystage2/Lifeprocessesan/Lifecycles/Introduction/ http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow9/jun99/lifecycle2/cycle1.html

• Early Childhood Links http://www.edinformatics.com/education/earlychildhood.htm

• Kids Online Resources http://www.kidsolr.com/earlychildhood/page2.html

• Interactive Activities about Canada http://k12west.mrdonn.org/Canada.html

• Canadian Geographic http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/

• EcoKids http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/kids_home.cfm

• Canadian Social Studies http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/social.htm

• SmartBoard Activities http://www.bobsedulinks.com/Smart_Board_Links.htm

•Using Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/using_technology.htm

•Cantebury Environmental Education http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/http://smartboardita.pbworks.com/f/smartboard+with+kindergartener.pdf

•Technology in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8,(2011), A joint position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Draft%20Technology%20in%20Early%20Childhood%20Programs%204-29-2011.pdf

•Technology in Early Childhood Education, Child Care Information Exchange http://www.ccie.com/library/5015417.pdf