Math Patterns Activity

*Standard 2, objective 2 a
*Technology: National Library of Virtual Manipulatives- Color Patterns: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_184_g_2_t_1.html?from=topic_t_1.html (This game gives kids color patterns which they have to finish. )
*Pedagodgy: Have the kids explore the pattern game on their own. Give them different colored clay and let them create their own patterns and explain them to their classmates.

Letters and Sounds Activity

*Kindergarten Standard 4, objective 1 a
*Technology used: Starfall: http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/load.htm?f (This is an interactive technology that lets kids see different letters, hear what they sound like and pair them with a picture( ex: A=apple).
*Pedagogy: Give the children different letters to explore on Starfall. Have them re-create one of the letters on their own using clay, markers or other art media. Have them write the letter and then draw a picture of an object that has the same starting sound. For example, a child could build the letter B out of clay and also create a banana out of the clay.

Digital Camera Project

Technology: Digital Camera
Pedagogy: Demonstrating/practicing emotions and deciphering them in pairs, experiential/active learning by taking pictures of emotions in people around them and Creating/organizing a poster displaying different emotions.
Content: Kindergarten Standard 1 Objective 3 a: Identify and express ideas, information, feelings in a variety of ways.

The pictures you see are examples of emotion pictures that the children can take. Can you guess which one is excited, angry, and sad?

What I learned from the research

One of the most interesting things I learned from the research is that a variety of technology should be available for children to use. This will enable them to exercise independence by making choices as well as help with different preferences and learning styles. Having a lot of different options available also allows students to explore and make more connections in their brains.
Technology is also great for socialization and collaboration. For example, when kids are exploring on computers, they talk to each other about what they're doing and ask and give help when needed.

WHAT IF EVERY CHILD HAD A LAPTOP?

I think it would be extremely beneficial if every child had a laptop or if they at least had a laptop in their home. Using new technology is fun and exciting as well as educational. When the children play the games, not only are they learning how the computer works, they are also learning academic skills like reading and math. Having a laptop would also make it possible for the children to communicate with others in a safe environment.

Technology Inventory

The kindergarten classroom I visited surprised me because of its lack of technology. Also, the teacher seemed uncomfortable when I mentioned the word "technology". She allowed me to look around the room and I found a couple computers, a music player, a TV, a VCR/DVD player and a digital camera. Although these things were accessible, it was clear that they were not implementing in the classroom as much as they could be. I would have liked to explain more about how technology could be used in the classroom, but the teacher seemed preoccupied and uninterested.
I want to hope that there was more technology in the classroom that I just didn't notice, but the teacher seemed busy. However, she did tell me that the class frequently used the tape player to sing and simultaneously do actions with the music at group time. I thought that was a good use of technology-especially since I love music so much.