by Dr. Dale McManis

1. Roadmap to a Successful
Educational Technology Program:
Why Start with Early Learners?
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math:
Full STEAM Ahead! Conference
September 2012
Lilla Dale McManis, PhD

2. WHY WE NEED A ROADMAP
Begins with the youngest students
Conflicting information
Rapidly changing digital age
Unprecedented pace
Ubiquitous
Transformed mainstream culture
Technology and interactive media here to stay
All screens not created equal
“T” in STEM (STEAM ) both major component and gateway to
others
Technology is a tool that is effective
only when used appropriately

3. FOUR BIG IDEAS
1) Research Findings
2) Program Philosophy
3) Best Practices
4) Local Evaluation

4. IDEA 1: RESEARCH FINDINGS
Be familiar w/research on traditional
and newer interactive technologies
and learning….
But first a snapshot from the popular press~

5. What Happens When Toddlers
Zone Out With An iPad?
Technology Helps Children Deal
With Autism In School
Is The Internet Hurting Children?
Most Moms Credit Technology With
Positive Impact To Family Life
Children Becoming
'Addicted' To Computers
Emerging Technology Has
Positive Impact In Classroom
The Screens That Are Stealing Childhood
The Benefits Of Video Games
(Headlines from recent popular media articles)

6. What do we know?
• 30+ years of Research
• Negative Outcomes when
Passive or for Very Young
Children
• Positive Outcomes for
Preschoolers& Up when
Actively Engaged

7. How are these founded in theory?
• Open ended technology-based instruction based on
scaffolding (Vygotskian approach), but with a
framework more aligned with discovery (Piaget) and
constructivism (Bruner)
• Computer assisted instruction based on scaffolding
(Vygotskian approach), information processing
(NeoPiagetians), and actions and reactions (Skinner)

8. Foundational Research w/
Traditional Technology • Language
• Literacy
• Math
• Science
• Social-
Emotional

9. Research w/ Interactive Touch Technology
• Language
• Literacy
• Math
• Science
• Social-
Emotional

10. IDEA 2:
PROGRAM
PHILOSOPHY
Identifying and being true to your early
education program’s purposes and goals

11. Early childhood education is
about preparing children for Intentionality
school success…
Academic and cognitive areas Supportiveness
The arts
Positive approaches to learning
Social-emotional competence
Responsiveness
21st C learning

12. Technology is a TOOL!
Just like books and
manipulatives
Without skilled
teachers guiding
children’s learning…
...children can only go so far in building the
foundation for school success

13. IDEA 3: BEST
PRACTICES
Selecting educational technology
Using technology with children
Professional development and support

14. Technology for Technology’s Sake

15. Finding the best educational
Look for and evaluate:
technology can a challenge….
Engagement to enhance learning
Child-friendliness Educational value
Monitoring of progress Interactivity

16. Using technology with
children appropriately
most important element
NAEYC/Fred Rogers Center
Tech Position Statement
NETS
TPACK

17. TECH POSITION STATEMENT
Developmentally appropriate practices must
guide decisions about whether and when to
integrate technology and interactive media
into early childhood programs.
Technology and media can enhance early
childhood practice when integrated into the
environment, curriculum, & daily routines.
Professional judgment is required to
determine if and when a specific use of
technology or media is age
appropriate, individually appropriate, and
culturally and linguistically appropriate.

18. TPACK FRAMEWORK

19. NETS

20. Professional Challenges
Development &
Support ~Time
~Real-world settings
~On-going models
Solutions
~Built-in Supports
~Learning
Communities

21. IDEA 4: LOCAL EVALUATION
Understanding…
extent using technology
w/ YOUR children meets
their needs
&
how to build on
children’s strengths
and successes

22. Teachers YOU as educator are the
single most important factor
Tutors
You won’t be evaluating the
technology in isolation but
Volunteers
rather…
Administrators What are your goals for the
children?
Parents
How did you design/create
activities and experiences?
How did you determine if
children met goals?
How are you communicating
your findings?

23. A developmentally
appropriate approach
to local evaluation…

24. Making sure we go in the right direction when using
technology for children means attending to…
1) Research
2) Program Philosophy
3) Best Practices
4) Local Evaluation
…and realizing they are integrally
related to one another

25. In Closing…
Current focus on
STEM is weak Louder, stronger, more informed
voice needed when working in early
childhood
Stakes and
benefits high for
young children Technology is also a
gateway in STEM
Takes time to As informed educators guiding
fully support
children’s technology use, we can help
learning children become competent
excited life-long learners!