My Technology Lesson Plan

Using pumpkins we will explore and compare sizes, height, colors and all about pumpkins. Using our SeeSaw application we will follow lessons, submit material, and conclude with a quiz.

Assignment 12 13 by Elizabeth Williams on Scribd

Reflective Wrap-Up

           I currently work in a preschool setting, and my center offers limited technology for student resources. We have computer for paperwork and we check in with daily pictures and description on iPad’s. however, these items are not for child use, the closes my students get to it is when we use these items to play music and get up and moving with our movement songs. While I do not mind a no electronic classroom I also feel in this century I really feel we should be embracing this technology. These children know how to work these electronics better then I do at times I wish my center offered more technology availability.

Working with preschool students they may find the technology challenging. I think of my struggles with the college Aleks program if I do not get it right I have to continuously repeat it until I get the correct answer. They have many programs like this, as an adult this extremely frustrates me I cannot imagine how a child might get just as frustrated. However, I would love to keep cell phones away from my children during class times, that is just too much of a distraction for older children. I think technology offers a lot of ways to practice real world help skills if used appropriately. With correct supervision technology can be a brilliant learning tool.

My biggest problem with how to incorporate technology is partially the age of my students, and even the funding of my school. To fund for iPad for every student would be impossible but maybe we could get two for each class and do a rotating schedule like we do the rest of our curriculum. I think it is extremely possible maybe we could even host a fundraiser. I pretty much grew up in a tech savvy household I am comfortable with most machines and how to fix simple errors. This makes me very desirable in the workforce as most of my building calls me the in-house tech support. I really believe technology is ever changing and growing, who knows how much children can learn when given the chance to look and touch learning. Its proven instant gratification is the most effective way of keeping attention, most of these apps offer instant congratulations giving children what they are looking for. I just hope we do not become too reliant on our technology and then loose it. 😊

Classroom Design

           As an early childhood educator my children learn through play and they learn through their environment, so for me classroom arrangement is key. Arranging a classroom is challenging work and typically if you are a teacher for younger children your room is commonly being rearranged. From the materials on the shelves being rotated to the room its self. While being careful not to constantly offer disruption change to the class it can be a fun way to bring attention to new areas simply by rearranging them children find it a fun and new space. While I love changing my room and decorating it for my center I always must have 6-7 defined areas of study. This is because as an early childhood educator I must offer the following areas reading, blocks, math, science, dramatic play, and art. Optionally and if given space we also love quiet reading areas the children can explore language on their own. Making these areas well defined and separated is a big part of my job. While at work typically my shapes are not so perfect squares or circles this picture gives you a taste of my idea classroom.

One of my favorite areas is circle time, I love a wide-open area that offers wiggle room yet still close enough the children can see the books, boards, and calendar. Free art is one of my kid’s favorite things to do I love when this area is by our kids sink! Simply because when paint play is all done boom the sinks right there to wash up. I have three little guys that love building large block arenas varying from towers, houses, farms, and even car races. I like to have this area open and offer ample room for big projects. The math area is always hard to get young children to attend of their own free will, so we often come up with fun and exciting ways they can practice math. Through scales, counting cards, and many more materials I would love to have a desk area here, so they can work on materials. Lastly the science area in my center is cool there is nature exploration, mixing colors, offering magnifying or even hunts this area is mostly stocked up with materials children can use for investigation. Our classrooms are a very important part of our children education! We help create a world in which they can learn and how we present that material is how we help them learn through play.