Topic proposal

     I am wanting to write my paper on how children are affected by the use of technology in elementary schools.  I know that computer use in elementary school aged children is on the rise.  Every child starting in K5 has access to a computer and other gadgets in the classroom as well as in technology class. There are many questions that have been raised whether so much access to this technology is a healthy way of learning.  Some say it is very beneficial, while others think it will lead to other bad habits.

     Kids are engaging in many interactive games in school.  Some of the games are for teaching science, math, reading, and even social studies.  There are many websites for children like "Starfall" and "Compass Odyssey" that children get on while in technology class.  The controversy issue is that  the teachers are using the websites as a teaching resource, but the children are just remembering that they are playing games.  That's where the issue is.  Because children are playing so many games at school, they want the same interactions with technology at home causing bad habits.

     I believe that all of the technology is school is great, but with moderation and a variety of teachings.  The world is growing fast with technology, and children are going to need to understand it and its power.  The Internet and computers have so many options for learning them without the game playing.  I know that children need to start somewhere, and the games catch their attention for the time period needed.  But because of all the game playing, many children only want to play these games, which leads to children who are unsociable and unhealthy.  If children can get on these interactive games, they can learn to use CAD, Microsoft Word, Power Point, and the many other programs available. 

 

 

5 research questions:

 

1) Does children being exposed to so much technology affect their social skills?

2) Are children actually learning from the use of technology in school?

3)With every classroom having many students, how are the teachers evaluating the students learning from the computer assignments?

4)Does using so much technology at school affect the way children feel about using technology at home?  Do they get obsessed with it?

5)What kind of programs do teachers use to enable learning?

6) Overall, what are the pros and cons of elementary aged children being exposed to so much technology?

 

                                                                Works Cited

 

Hatch, Kristina E. "Determining the Effects of Technology on Children."  Senior Honors Projects. (2011) Paper 260. Web. 16 Nov. 2012

Macdonald, Jeffrey G. "Too Much Computer Exposure May Hinder Learning." USATODAY.  08             Dec. 2004. Web. 15 Nov. 2012

MOHAMMAD, MONA, and HEYAM MOHAMMAD. "Computer Integration Into The Early   Childhood Curriculum." Education 133.1 (2012): 97-116. Academic Search Complete.             Web. 16 Nov. 2012.

 Ntuli, Esther, and Lydia Kyei-Blankson. "Teacher assessment of young children learning with     technology in early childhood education." International Journal of Information and       Communication Technology Education 8.4 (2012): 1+. Academic OneFile. Web. 17 Nov.           2012.

Zuckerman, Mortimer B. "Classroom Revolution." U.S. News & World Report. 10 Oct. 2005: 68. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Nov. 2012.

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