Ed Tech and Early Learners

Most educators can agree that technology is here to stay, and that 21st-century classrooms and schools cannot afford to pretend otherwise, or they risk letting their students fall behind in an increasingly tech-integrated world. Yet the magnitude and the role of technology in learning--especially when it comes to preschoolers--are not always clear, and experts often have differing ideas about how much tech is too much tech for the earliest learners.

If you're interested in exploring some of the issues--from studies about the impact of screen time on early brain development to a list of best technology integration practices for educators working with early learners--then take a look at this article from Education Week: "Proper Role of Ed Tech in Pre-K a Rising Issue." It surveys some of the questions and challenges surrounding ed-tech and early learners, and offers links to some helpful resources.

Here are a few more places to read up on the issues:

• The nonprofit group Sesame Workshop offers a list of research-driven BEST PRACTICES for tablet use with preschool children.
• Check out the POSITION STATEMENT from the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media.
• Take a look at the FAQ PAGE on CHILDREN AND MEDIA from PBS.org.

These are important questions to be asking as educators--start exploring the research and the ideas, and get involved in the conversation!

Early Childhood Education and Common Core--Resources and Information

One of the major points of focus of the new Common Core State Standards is a seamless connection from early childhood education all the way to higher education and career preparation. But many people have questions about how CCSS can work with very young children. How can early childhood educators align their instruction with Common Core and make sure that they're maintaining developmentally appropriate practices and helping prepare the littlest learners for a transition into elementary school?

Here are a few great blog posts, articles, and resources directed toward early childhood educators. They represent different perspectives and are worth examining for anyone who works with young children, and who wants to learn more about how Common Core will impact the world of early childhood education.

Check out THIS POSITION PAPER from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which discusses both the benefits and the challenges of the Common Core for early childhood education.

Take a look at THIS COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION to a pre-kindergarten foundation for the Common Core, developed by the New York State Education Department. It includes a vetted sample instructional unit as well!

Watch THIS PRESENTATION by Professor Gillian McNamee as she discusses what it means to have high-quality PreK-3rd grade education in the context of Common Core.

Prof. McNamee's talk was the wrap-up for a conference held by the Erikson Institute of Chicago, focused on pre-k and early childhood education and the impact of Common Core. CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE for a complete list of talks, papers, and resources.