Admission: “My name is Christie and I let my children use technology”!
As a parent I worry about the amount of ‘screen time’ my children have. But as a teacher I know that technology is an integral part of the learning process in today’s classroom and society. Our children are surrounded by screens and technology, from the humble television, to smart phones and tablets. As parents we use it as a form of communication (Hi hun, yes the kids are still alive), entertainment (a bit of Sean Hayes lip syncing and dancing always brightens my day) and to gather information (how to get sudo-cream out of carpet) – so why shouldn’t we encourage our children to use these devices in the same way – with an emphasis on MODERATION!
When our eldest son started showing interest in our iPhones, I started researching some appropriate apps for toddlers and preschoolers Before you check out which apps I think you must have on your devices, read this article that was written by the Head of Digital Education at ABC Splash about why you should be encouraging and engaging your children in educational technology.
Five tips to engage children in educational technology
By Annabel Astbury, Head of Digital Education at ABC Splash
As recent data from statistics portal Statista shows, educational apps
are the third most popular download category in the Apple App store,
with a share of 9.95 per cent as of March 2015. With that in mind, it’s
clear that the resources used to educate the next generation are
shifting into the digital realm. So how do we adapt to this and ensure
our children are getting the most out of these tools?
are the third most popular download category in the Apple App store,
with a share of 9.95 per cent as of March 2015. With that in mind, it’s
clear that the resources used to educate the next generation are
shifting into the digital realm. So how do we adapt to this and ensure
our children are getting the most out of these tools?
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| Original Source |
It’s us, not them
It’s
important to note that children today are the first age cohorts who
have never known the world pre-internet. In fact, the shift to digital
technology is more of an adaption for us than for them. So the first
thing we need to do, as parents, is reframe our mindsets and stop trying
to engage kids in the way we were taught.
important to note that children today are the first age cohorts who
have never known the world pre-internet. In fact, the shift to digital
technology is more of an adaption for us than for them. So the first
thing we need to do, as parents, is reframe our mindsets and stop trying
to engage kids in the way we were taught.
Allot ‘Tablet Time’
Allowing
children time with their tablet is often seen as an incentive or treat.
Why not take advantage of this by filling the device with educational
games that they will enjoy, and bargaining that they play these first
before they get free reign (to an extent) over their choice of content?
children time with their tablet is often seen as an incentive or treat.
Why not take advantage of this by filling the device with educational
games that they will enjoy, and bargaining that they play these first
before they get free reign (to an extent) over their choice of content?
Learning on-the-go
Whether
you’re off on a road trip and need in-car entertainment, or you’re
bringing your children along on a boring adult chore and need something
to distract them – pack your tablet with these games and you won’t feel
so bad when you have to leave them to their tech treat. After all, the
aim of these educational games is to embed learning skills disguised as a
fun interactive experience.
you’re off on a road trip and need in-car entertainment, or you’re
bringing your children along on a boring adult chore and need something
to distract them – pack your tablet with these games and you won’t feel
so bad when you have to leave them to their tech treat. After all, the
aim of these educational games is to embed learning skills disguised as a
fun interactive experience.
Competition
Get your
child’s competitive juices flowing with a dose of healthy in-family
competition. Children love to feel they’ve outsmarted their elders (and
each other), so get some educational games on the go and take it in
turns to play and score each other’s effort. This also provides a great
way to get involved with your child’s learning and development in a fun
context.
child’s competitive juices flowing with a dose of healthy in-family
competition. Children love to feel they’ve outsmarted their elders (and
each other), so get some educational games on the go and take it in
turns to play and score each other’s effort. This also provides a great
way to get involved with your child’s learning and development in a fun
context.
Improvement
As much as children love to
compete with others, they also love to compete with themselves. A good
way to encourage their use of these educational games is to chart their
progress and scores so they can see their gradual improvement. Why not
create some achievement charts that they can update and mark off when
they reach new levels and scores?
compete with others, they also love to compete with themselves. A good
way to encourage their use of these educational games is to chart their
progress and scores so they can see their gradual improvement. Why not
create some achievement charts that they can update and mark off when
they reach new levels and scores?
About ABC Splash!
Launched
in March 2013, Splash is a ground-breaking free education website which
helps students, teachers and parents embrace online and digital
learning. It was developed by ABC Digital Network in conjunction with
Education Services Australia, supported by the Department of Communications
and the Department of Education. It is one of the largest digital
projects ever undertaken by the ABC and delivers world-class interactive
educational resources for primary and secondary school students, their
teachers and parents. Visit the website for more details: http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/home
in March 2013, Splash is a ground-breaking free education website which
helps students, teachers and parents embrace online and digital
learning. It was developed by ABC Digital Network in conjunction with
Education Services Australia, supported by the Department of Communications
and the Department of Education. It is one of the largest digital
projects ever undertaken by the ABC and delivers world-class interactive
educational resources for primary and secondary school students, their
teachers and parents. Visit the website for more details: http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/home
Children aged between two and three were more likely to respond to screens that prompted action, such as touching, then to a screen that demanded no interaction, research from the University Wisconsin found. The more
interactive the screen, the more real it was, and the more familiar it
felt from a two-year-old’s perspective.
Heather Kirkorian, Assistant Professor in Human Development and Family Studies, carried out the research and says touch
screens could hold educational potential for toddlers.When she did another test on word learning, the results were repeated. “Kids who are interacting with the screen get better much faster, make fewer mistakes and learn faster – “But we’re not turning them into geniuses, just helping them get a little more information.”
screens could hold educational potential for toddlers.When she did another test on word learning, the results were repeated. “Kids who are interacting with the screen get better much faster, make fewer mistakes and learn faster – “But we’re not turning them into geniuses, just helping them get a little more information.”
As a teacher of children with Special Needs, specifically Autism, I have seen the many benefits that using educational technology can bring. Children who have limited or no communication skills find a voice through the use of technology. Children who once found it hard to socialise suddenly create friendships by playing games on technological devices together. I’ve even had children demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of topics being explored in class where previously they had difficulty expressing it.
So don’t view devices such as iPads, iPhones and tablets as a means of distraction – if you complement them with educational and age appropriate apps they can be a great learning tool that can aid in a child’s development
