Research has shown that 3 and 4-old-year children who use computers with supporting activities that reinforce the major objectives of the programs have significantly greater development gains when compared to children without computer experiences in similar classrooms-gains in intelligence, non-verbal skills, structural knowledge, long-term memory, manual dexterity, verbal skills, problem solving, abstraction, and conceptual skills ( Haugland, 1992).
The benefits of providing computers to kindergarten and primary-grade children vary depending upon the kind of computer experiences offered and how frequently children have access to computers. The potential gains for kindergarten and primary children are tremendous, including improved motor skills, enhanced mathematical thinking, increased creativity, higher scores on test of critical thinking and problem solving, higher levels of what Nastasi and Clements (1994) term effectance motivation (the belief that they can change or affect their environment), and increased scores on standardized language assessments.
In addition, computer use enhances children’s self-concept, and children demonstrate increasing levels of spoken communication and cooperation. Children share leadership roles frequently and develop positive attitudes toward learning.
As a first step, teachers can explore software that is developmentally appropriate for the classrooms. Teachers can then discuss the potential learning objectives of the programs and activities they could use to integrate particular software into their classrooms. Teachers can also participate in workshops that integrate the developmental theory and research regarding computer use with hands-on experiences. Mentors can also provide teachers with affirmation, support, and suggestions for classroom use.
As teachers implement technology in the classroom, the vision of the role of technology in teaching and learning will undoubtedly change. Administrators need to continually support teachers in their quest to discover how technology can best enhance children’s learning.
By: Ma. Josefina D. Navarro | Master Teacher I | Samal North Elementary School | Samal, Bataan
