Preschool+And+Technology

 Preschool and Technology

Technology is not addressed as a standard in the Early Learning Standards Framework, but I try to expose my students to using computers and technology as much as possible. As they progress through school, my students will be using computers for testing and writing, among many other things, so I want to be sure they have at least some idea of how to use the mouse and keyboard. My classroom has three computers and a Smartboard system from an early learning company called Hatch. This system is a new addition to my classroom, and the students and I are having a blast with it. Hatch has a program on it that has over a thousand activities teaching and reinforcing the skills covered in our Framework. We use it every day for everything from our calendar at circle time to a station during teacher directed and free choice stations.

At my three computers, I use educational websites with games geared toward preschool age children. For some students, this is their first time ever using a computer and mouse. For others, it's easy to tell they have one at home and are accustom to them. By the end of the school year, all the students are able to manipulate the mouse to complete the games on the screen.

The websites I use most often for their educational games are listed below:


 * [|www.nickjr.com]
 * [|www.disneyjr.com]
 * [|www.pbskids.org]

For our Smartboard, when I'm not using the program provided by Hatch, I use it as a large flat monitor and we take virtual tours to various zoo websites that have web cameras on their animals. The sites are listed below:


 * [|San Diego Zoo]
 * [|Tennessee Aquarium]
 * [|National Zoo]
 * [|Decorah Eagles]