Graduate Research Papers
Availability
Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Abstract
This review was done to determine how computers should be used in early childhood programs. Chapter I focuses on the introduction to the review. Chapter II is a review of the literature. It describes the positive and negative effects of computer use in early childhood programs. Positive effects are increased motivation, positive attitude, and academic achievement. Computers provide collaborative experiences with peers, and help develop social interaction. Computers encourage creativity, exploration, and experimentation. Negative effects are that computers are abstract, and children are not, and young children lack the requisite skills. There is a lack of quality software. Children find program inconsistencies frustrating. Computer use can cause social isolation and withdrawal. Many teachers are inadequately trained. The characteristics of good educational software are discussed. Good educational software meets educational objectives, and has instructional value. It is relevant to the student, age appropriate, and user-friendly. Software can be interactive, open-ended, simulation, or drill and practice. The design should be interesting and be of high quality. It should provide immediate feedback, and contain features which allow adults to change the options. Chapter III focuses on effective ways to use computers in early childhood programs. Computers should be used in a defined, computer area in the classroom. The classroom should have three to six computers with color monitors, speech synthesizers, keyboards, mice, or joysticks, and a printer. Computer use should be integrated into the curriculum. Children, age four, will spend approximately 10 to 15 minutes per computer activity. The trained teacher provides exploratory, open-ended, and interactive programs. Effective educational software programs have been identified by authorities in the computer field. Chapter IV contains the analysis, and Chapter V contains the summary, conclusions, and recommendations.
Year of Submission
1995
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Department
Division of Early Childhood Education
First Advisor
Charles R. May
Date Original
1995
Object Description
1 PDF file (88 leaves)
Copyright
©1995 Deborah S. McQuigg
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
McQuigg, Deborah S., "How computers should be used in early childhood programs" (1995). Graduate Research Papers. 2866.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/grp/2866
Comments
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