Wacona Elementary School uses “digicams” in the classroom

Wacona Elementary compiled information on how to introduce digital cameras to elementary school students. After sifting through the information, it seemed like preschoolers could handle using digicams as well.  I know firsthand that children love taking photos as much as they love being photographed.  Digicams are popular with children because of their convenience-pictures can be viewed instantly, then transferred onto a computer for printing or deletion.  The article explains that basically, preschoolers need to be taught about digicam handling and usage and guided about the aim of a photo project and what they want to “shoot.”  Included in this website were a number of photo projects, many too complicated for preschoolers.  I did, however, like the following project ideas and even added a few of my own.  Ways to use the digicam year round:  have children help to make a class roster at the beginning of the year by both posing for their portrait and helping to photograph their classmates; take digicams on fieldtrips; have children take pictures of classroom happenings to show their parents what they do in preschool;  allow children to photograph teachers and staff in funny situations;  do an alphabet project, whereby children find an object in the classroom or school that starts with a given letter of the alphabet and photograph it.  There are endless ways to engage children in picture-taking without boring them about the art of photography.  Incorporating digicam projects into the curriculum adds a fun and creative dimension to learning.

Mrs. Levin’s Pre-K Pages

Mrs. Levin’s Pre-K Pages is  a very user-friendly guide for integrating various technologies into the Early Childhood classroom.  This teacher made several suggestions for implementing iPods and iTunes in a preschool curriculum.  Examples included replacing cassettes and CD’s in the listening center with an iPod and expanding the center’s library by reading and uploading stories onto an iPod.  Similarly, she explained how iTunes can be used to interest children in reading by facilitating the creation of  audiobooks that students can watch on a computer.  The teacher also experimented with using iPod shuffles for homework.  Following the suggestions of her students, she made audio recordings of books for take-home use.  Finally, to update parents unable to attend school events, she used iPods to create the audio portion of video podcasts of classroom happenings. This site made it apparent that iPod and iTunes can add elements of convenience and variety to any preschool classroom.

Yes, I have already walked!!

Me in my cap and gown

My Associates in Arts degree has been four years in the making because of work commitments. However, I am proud to say that I have already graduated and am ready to put my Early Childhood Education degree to good use!!

greatschools-Involved Parents.Successful Kids.

greatschools-Involved Parents. Successful Kids. is a website which boasts an extensive amount of research related to preschool learning disabilities and the AT (assistive technology) created to help learning disabled children.  Included are detailed articles on AT that supports learning of the basics-math, reading, listening, organization & memory, and writing.  Examples of AT for each category are provided, ranging from a software program for an electronic math worksheet that helps a child align and organize math problems on a computer screen, to a paper-based computer pen designed to record spoken words as they are written.  The site also addresses how best to match AT to a child’s individual needs.  Real-life examples attesting to the benefits of AT validate this innovative trend.  What I liked about this site is that it is dedicated to AT.  I have seen AT transform the lives of special needs children.  For some, it makes inclusion (involvement in mainstream classrooms) possible.  For others, it facilitates the communication that allows them to express their wants and needs.

Early Connections: Technology in Early Childhood Education

Although Early Connections: Technology in Early Childhood Education website explores how various technologies can be used in preschool classrooms, it mainly focuses on appropriate uses of computers and software. As young as age three, children can begin to use a computer.  Even the most basic computer skills, such as making the mouse and cursor “connection,” help to develop a child’s cognition. Preschoolers can begin to explore programs and discovery-based software with the help of an adult.  However, software should not replace teaching, but rather support learning and curriculum while matching children’s interests.  Early literacy and math readiness are among the skills that can be supported by computers and software.  For example, one literacy program helps a child generate a story which s/he then can dictate to be typed into a computer.  While this website seems to favor the use of technology in preschool classrooms, it does warn against technology misuse and/or overuse.  For example, it warns that computer time should be balanced with play, more specifically interaction with physical objects like blocks.  One important reason for using software and computers in the preschool classroom is they allow adults to connect with children.  Exploring both  real and make-believe worlds through computers and software creates an opportunity for  discussion between children and their teachers and parents.  I like how this site provides a new spin on computer and software;  with young children, it is common to see the two used only for interactive lessons, games, and stories.   However, I disagree with the idea of putting a three-year-old on a computer as it would only be viewed as a toy to them.

Because I have been a substitute teacher and paraprofessional for the last eight years, I have worked in every grade and at many schools. A common occurrence across grade levels and in schools is student bullying. Bullying affects toddlers through high-schoolers. Instances of bullying range from a preschooler grabbing a toy away from a classmate to an adolescent making fun of another student’s speech impediment. As this video demonstrates, bullying can have serious repercussions. Students of all ages need to know that reporting cases of bullying is O.K. Being a proactive “tattletale” is better than being a complacent bystander to bullying.

Storylineonline is an interactive story-telling site.

Storylineonline builds preschoolers emerging literacy skills through face-to-face (a la screen) story-telling.  SAG (Screen Actors Guild) members offer a life-like story-tellling experience, complete with illustrations and animated voices.  Although I think there is no substitute for a real and engaging story-telling experience, this site is perfect for children who may not be read to a lot at home or at school.