In today’s world, children seem to be practically born with an electronic device in their hand. But is it really appropriate to push children to electronic devices at such an early age? Are parents and schools replacing one-to-one communication and teaching with a computer, iPad or cell phone?
Most experts agree that children under the age of three do not need to be punching the keyboard or clicking the mouse. However, research points to the positive effects of technology in children’s learning and development, both cognitive and social. Once a child turns three, they evolve into a new stage of development. One that includes concrete learners interested in speaking, writing, drawing and numbers. These young ones are also active and mobile, needing frequent changes and physical experiences. Technology use in the classroom can meet the needs of these developmental changes, especially exploration, changing styles of play and working at their own pace. At this age, and as they grow into adolescents, students also exhibit a variety of different learning styles. Appropriate use of technology can individualize and enrich the lessons, giving every student what they need to succeed.
Technology Engages Students and Creates Motivated Learners
Using technology in the classroom can help turn the mundane into marvelous. The sounds and graphics of computers gain children’s attention. That math concept that you cannot seem to understand, can turn interesting and clear when combined with a software game. The history project of America’s founding can come alive when students search for and find primary source documents from that time. Technology can make students active participants in the learning, engaging in problem solving, mastery learning and conversation. They have the control to make things happen and can play and replay activities, while experimenting with variations.
Technology Facilitates Communication – With Peers and Parents
Research has shown that using technology can increase communications within the classroom and from classroom to home. Project-based learning is facilitated by technology and students are able to collaborate, review and add to learning opportunities using programs like Google docs, Wikis, and learning management software. Research shows that students prefer to work in groups on the computer, seeking help from each other instead of the teacher. They engage in high levels of spoken communication and cooperation using the computer. They are also able to conduct peer tutoring and peer mentoring using technology. Technology also improves two-way communication from school to home. Parents can more easily be kept informed about what is going on in the classroom, students can share projects with parents, and parents can have input into what is happening at school.
Technology Enhances Individual Learning and Growth
Students learn in many different ways and in different time frames. Technology can provide differentiation in the classroom, giving all students the opportunity for success by allowing them to work through projects or concepts at their own pace. Technology can give help to disabled students or students with learning disabilities And it can also easily enrich the advanced student.
Technology Brings The World Into The Classroom
The use of the Internet brings a whole new world of educational resources and teaching aides into the classroom. Movies, film clips, museums, primary source documents, and so much more are now available with the click of a button and all of the sound, color and real-life experiences come streaming into the classroom. These resources can be used to enhance the teaching of standards, to provide an alternative teaching strategy for a struggling learner, and to enrich the educational development of more advanced students.
Through “kid-friendly” networks, young children can also more easily collaborate with other classrooms from around the world, sharing different cultural and environmental experiences. The Internet facilitates direct communication and promotes social interactions previously limited by the physical location of students.
Technology Teaches Real-World Skills
Technology is an integral part of how we work and live. Teaching students how to use technology to learn, research, collaborate, and solve problems from an early age will better prepare them for their careers. It can also help reduce the fear of new technology in the future by familiarizing them with the discovery process for each new tool. The more familiar we can make computers for our youngest learners, the easier time they will have using computers as they get older. In addition to these computer skills, students can gain information about how to use the internet safely and effectively in a controlled environment. By learning to use technology in the classroom at a young age, children are developing the skills and knowledge that is essential in today’s world.
How Chatsworth Hills Academy Integrates Technology
At Chatsworth Hills Academy in Los Angeles, we don’t just provide technology resources for our students. Technology is carefully integrated in every classroom curriculum on a daily basis as part of the overall classroom plan.
- Computers are located in the classrooms; rather than only in a computer lab
- Software is chosen to enhance curriculum content, not just as stand alone “learning games”
- Technology is utilized to facilitate collaboration across subject areas and classrooms
- Software is used to extend the curriculum, offering exploration and additional learning opportunities of concepts and subjects
- Teachers are professionally trained in integrating technology into the curriculum for teaching, enrichment and differentiation
Enroll Today at Chatsworth Hills Academy
Find out more about how the faculty at Chatsworth Hills Academy integrates technology into every classroom. CHA is the premier private school for residents of the greater Los Angeles area and the only school in the San Fernando Valley that has been accepted as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for primary and middle school. Technology is fully integrated with our program’s educational goals and objectives and is used daily to individualize, address learning challenges and different learning styles and bring the world into the classroom. Give us a call today at (818) 998-4037, or fill out our online inquiry form. We welcome the chance to tell you about our technology use and our entire academic program.
