Sarah High
Professor Thomas
Segl 101
07 December, 2012
The
“Igeneration”:
Technology
in Elementary Schools and
Their Revolutionary
Transformation
Since the first signs of
technology for what people call the “baby boomers”, technology has been rising
very quickly. Technology has increased
from simple radio talk shows, to now interactive boards and ipads. As technology is being invented, the
developers are finding more ways for it to benefit our community. Technology used to be rarely seen, but now it
is found at every corner we turn. According
to Matt Richtel in his article “Grading the Digital School; In Classroom of
Future, Stagnant Scores" that was written in the New York Times, says that because of a science and technology
committee assembled by President Clinton in 1997 technology is also now seen in
almost every classroom, including those in elementary school. Children from four years old are able to
embrace the world we live in through virtual space. The committee’s report cited, “the successes
of individual schools that embraced computers saw test scores rise or dropout
rates fall.”
Derrick Mears, who wrote
an article in, The Journal of Physical
Education, Recreation & Dance, says that the generation of children
entering elementary schools over the past couple of years are known as the
“Igeneration”. With these children being
introduced to technology since birth, they are becoming expectant on its great
use. This generation is learning much
more quickly and differently than previous ones; they seem to easily catch on
the new aged technology that is put into their hands at home and school. Mears says that Children are becoming
advanced multitaskers who embrace every bit of technology and the information
it provides. Children are motivated to
learn through digital tools, which is beneficial in every school setting. Upon their first encounter with school children are being
exposed to daily activities with various types of technology. Because of this, the virtual world has become
a necessary tool for teaching in today’s classrooms. There are many that agree with The Board of
Education who entirely approve the use of a digital curriculum in elementary
schools, and there are also critics that say there is no reason in spending out
the amount of money it takes to supply it when pencils, paper, and chalkboards
work fine. Children, teachers, and the
producers of the new aged technology alike benefit by its use because it draws
the children’s attention making it easier for the teacher to instruct the
class, and the produces are making millions getting it inside the classrooms. However there are also many detrimental
aspects caused by its placement such as the cost, the children’s social skills
and attention span possibly being hindered, and the time it takes for the
teachers to learn the new equipment.
It is quoted in the report “Computer
Integration into the Early Childhood Curriculum” by Mona and Heyam Mohammad
that, “Piaget's theory, known also as the constructivist perspective, says that
learners benefit most from “concrete” experiences or hands-on activities that
allow the learner to manipulate his/her environment in order to construct
knowledge based on interactions with the world.” So in other words, Piaget is saying that
children learn best through play.
Children love to use their imagination to build, paint, and to role
play. In previous generations, if a
kindergartener was asked what their favorite activity at school was, most
answers would be the same few. You would
hear them say, “I love to build with blocks,” or “I love the kitchen
center.” If asked the same question to
today’s generation, the majority of the answers would be, “I love to play on
the computer or Ipad.” The updated
answers make sense considering the world’s present use for technology, and the
kindergartener’s feelings towards this still follow Piaget’s theory. Because of how advanced digital components
have become, Ipads and computers are considered concrete objects that children
can manipulate and have “hands on” experiences from around the world with. Many ask the question, “How are children
learning with a digital classroom curriculum, when all they are doing is
playing interactive games?” That is just
not the case. During a personal interview
with Mrs. Stiffler who is a technology teacher at Hendrix Elementary School,
She stated that “through the interactive games and websites children are learning
without realizing it.” In Kristina
Hatch’s article, "Determining the Effects of Technology on Children,” she
agrees with Mrs. Stiffler in that technology accelerates and enriches basic
skills, and students who have access to this
become more quickly engrossed in the material, and as such are able to absorb
the information more quickly. It is a
known fact that children have to always be engaged in things that are
interesting and find fun. That is how
they learn. They enjoy the new aged
virtual world, so why not make it part of their learning experience? Mrs. Stiffler stated that children starting in
4K are learning the components of the computer.
They are starting to understand the mouse and how to manipulate it to
draw under the paint program as well as navigating through interactive
children’s websites, which is further improving their fine motor skills and
hand eye coordination. In Kindergarten
and first grade each child is starting to understand the keyboard and how to
type sight words they are learning. By
the time a child is in the third grade, they understand how to use their
creative thinking skills and knowledge to put together a power point. Educators understand a child’s development,
which is why they introduce children to the components of the computer for them
to be able to get the most out of their experiences. It must be known that computers and other types of
technology supplement and do not replace highly valued early childhood
activities and materials, such as art, blocks, sand, water, books, explorations
with writing materials, and dramatic play(Mohammad). Mona and Heyam Mohammad reported that as long
as teachers choose and find developmentally appropriate software and web sites
that meet children's interests and needs, and integrate them into the curriculum
to best support the way young children learn best, the children will develop
positive attitudes towards learning.
Although the same material is being taught as those in previous
generations, electronic materials give children a three dimensional
representation of what they are learning (Hatch). I think it is great that with the help of
interactive educational games and other software, teachers are able to make the
learning of math, reading, science, and social studies fun for children; at the
same time children with disabilities like autism are able to get their
education in a regular classroom. Kristina Hatch stated, “Getting children
involved with many types of educational tools, including technology, at an
early age will further enhance their capabilities to be more successful in the
real world and prepare them for the workforce.”
Jeffery Macdonald, a journalist for USA
Today, agrees with Hatch in that he feels that academic performance rose
among those who routinely engaged in writing e-mail or running educational
software. Although the board of
education and many researchers see there being many positive reasons to include
various technologies within the educational experience, parents question if the
use will interfere with children’s ability to express their social skills
within the classroom. Early childhood teachers must understand that they are one of
the most important factors in a child developing social skills. Although many feel the use of technology
hinders a child’s social interaction, it is actually completely up to the
teacher. Children love to share their
computer experiences with their classmates, help one another, and enjoy
expressing their success when a goal has been reached. Research has proven that if the teachers
allow the natural process of interacting between children to take place while
engaging with computers or ipads, children will be encouraged to work together
cooperatively. Unlike traditional
activities such as building blocks and puzzles, Mona and Heyam Mohammad state
that “the computer elicits more social interaction and different types of
interaction.” There are moments when
children must focus by themselves on an assignment, but I feel if a teacher
wants the children to remain quiet during every computer generated activity,
this will affect how they interact with their peers in a negative way. Children need those little moments throughout
the day to discuss with their peers about things in their environment that they
interact with or notice, including the virtual world. Although teachers must
work extra hard to find appropriate ways for children to engage with computers,
ipads, and other types of digital gadgets, they see it to be very beneficial
for the children of this generation.
Teachers must go through many time
consuming trainings to keep up with the new types of technology and software
being brought into the classroom. But
according to the website Education Corner, because each teacher is different
with the way they teach their classes, and each school district has various
requirements, technology will continue to create roadblocks for the
teachers. They must work hard to find
programs that not only benefit each child, but also supports their teaching
style. Just like with traditional
teaching materials, when the teachers create a curriculum that is age
appropriate, keeps the child in control, has clear instructions, expands the
child’s complexity, gives Independence, and shows real world models, the
teaching will have a positive impact on the children (Mohammad). Richtel says that, “Good teachers can make
good use of computers, while bad teachers won’t, and they and their students
could wind up becoming distracted by the technology.” This is true.
You have to keep the child engaged while creating an up to date learning
experience that will help the child expand their thinking and rational skills
to help them grow within the world we live.
According to Mrs. Stiffler teachers
have programs that are set up for the individual child. These programs are set up according to the
child’s own MAP scores, so each child will have the opportunity to work at
their own learning pace. This serves to
be beneficial for the teachers and the students. I think this is great because teachers are
able to keep up with how much each child is retaining, and who might need extra
help. Even though there are so many
benefits from the use of technology it does have some teachers a bit
frustrated. Because classrooms are growing at an extensive
rate, and the technology used is requiring more time, research says that
teachers are finding it difficult to stay on top of the new programs. Teachers also understand the cost of the
technology being brought into each classroom, and Richtel feels that although
teaching with technology has lowered the cost of many things, some wonder why
the schools are equipped with so much when school budgets have been cut. Many teachers are depending on their own
money to pay for numerous things needed for their classrooms and find it
unfair. But because of the amount of
benefits technology has on the classroom as a whole, such as written in
Mortimer Zuckerman’s article "Classroom Revolution,”
that “students can take virtual trips and collaborate with other students
around the world and research in the best libraries in the country,” teachers
tend to overlook little things like having to buy paper or hand sanitizer. Despite the technology companies making
millions of dollars off of schools and the teachers losing money to help
provide needed supplies for their classroom, educators will do what is needed
to help their students succeed. Companies like Apple and Microsoft
have numerous engineers and computer programmers who work daily to develop the
technology that is used in classroom.
With schools having the luxuries of using electronics, these companies
are benefitting from the growth of the technological world. Each school district
that is up to date with the virtual world has roughly $15,000 worth of
technology in each classroom. With
interactive white boards costing $1,200 a piece, and each classroom having
three ipads and at least ten computers that are composed with the top ranked
software, it is no wonder how these companies are so successful. Matt Richtel understands that it’s easy to
see why technology is such an easy sell here, given the enthusiasm surrounding
it in classrooms, and that technology seems to be the only way this generation
will learn. Mrs. Stiffler said the reason why Hendrix Elementary is
so up to date with technology is because of help from the Government. They are given what is called title 1 money
issued to schools around the country who qualify based on the amount of
students who get free or reduced lunch.
This Government issued money helps schools stay on top of the technological
world to ensure that every child gets the same benefits out of school. I think this is such a great opportunity in
that it gives every child, no matter what their background is, a chance to be
successful and grow with the world.
Because of research and my personal
experiences with my own children, I understand why technology is being used in
elementary school. Although school has become fun and interesting for children
because of the approach technology takes, I also believe it can become a
problem if overused. Because children
enjoy their interactions with it so much, if parents don’t step in and put a
limit on how much they are allowed children will become dependent on the sole
use of technology. Outside play and
children’s ability to understand nature’s true beauty will become
obsolete. Children’s health and
connections with others will start to decline because all they will know is a
virtual world. The technological world has morphed to where
it is more than just an entertainer, and there are more benefits from its use
than ways it will hurt children. Hatch
says that, “while it is okay to allow children to use technology for a limited
amount of time, when it begins to become a substitution for personal interaction,
issues begin to arise.” McDonald and the
website Education Corner believe having more than one computer in the home will
cause children to be disconnected with their ability to learn at school through
a digital environment because they will become distracted. I believe parents having an understanding that
they need to engage with their children, and not allow them to be completely engrossed
with technology, allows this and future generations to have a chance of
becoming well rounded individuals. They
will not only be able to learn through the fast growing digital transformation,
but also understand the environment and interactions with the world as they
grow.
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