How to Use Technology as a Teaching Tool
Technology has changed the classroom. Over the years, technology has contributed in small ways, such as mass producing notebooks, replacing chalk slates, or through solar powered calculators edging out slide rules. In recent years, however, with the rise of personal electronics, the shift has been even more noticeable. If you want to learn how to incorporate technology in positive ways for children, the right CDA course can help.
Changing Education with Technology
Computers and e-books have changed how information is consumed. Compared to previous advances in technology, these shifts have been faster, and they have affected children much more than earlier technologies that were primarily focused on adults. As an educator, knowing how to make the most of these technologies, without making them the center of the learning experience is an important skill to have.
As an educator, it is important to be able to identify best practices and set guidelines for the use of technology in the learning environment. Additionally, educators should also research safety and technology to gain an awareness of issues such as cyber security, student safety online, and controlled access to certain types of web content. Luckily, there is a CDA course to help you meet these challenges.
Using Technology in Positive Ways
The CDA course "Using Technology as a Teaching Tool: Do This – Not That" is an hour-long training course worth 0.10 CEUs. This course covers best practices for creating a preschool classroom that is technology rich, in addition to sharing ways for supporting developmentally appropriate access to technology for preschoolers. The online training course also discusses best practices for infusing technology into the classroom.
This online course highlights the differences between passive and active technology and the pros and cons of each approach for children. This helpful information is supported by best practice recommendations from some of the leading authorities in the education and care of young children, including the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Fred Rogers Center, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Bringing STEM Into the Classroom
To learn about implementing technology in very specific ways, the CDA course “STEM in the Preschool Classroom” is essential. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and there are courses, as well as entire schools, focused around this curriculum focus. While you may have connected STEM with older children, effective STEM education should start when children are young, and this course covers those essentials.
In particular, you learn about the benefits of STEM, project-based learning, higher level thinking, and ways to incorporate STEM into your preschool curriculum.
Meeting Technology Challenges
As you work to integrate technology into your classroom, you may find a few challenges along the way. For instance, some children may be more distracted by technology than others. Similarly, some children may have a harder time following the classroom limits for technology use than others.
In contrast, you may be looking for more innovative ways to use technology. For instance, you may want to integrate technology into story time, or you may want to utilize technology to foster emotional and social development.
If you are working on earning your CDA or renewing your CDA, let ProSolutions Training help. We have a training course on almost every topic possible, and we let you earn or renew your credentials from the comfort of your home on your own schedule. Contact us today to sign up or learn more.
