iPods, Internet and Apps, Oh My: Age Appropriate Technology in Early Childhood Educational Environments

Introduction

Epistemology is often almost a subliminal subconscious influence on our actions in classrooms so that we are not always aware of why we develop our classroom environments in a particular manner. The growing interest in the role of epistemic beliefs in learning and academic achievement demands new thinking about instructional decisions in relation to technology. In particular, our beliefs about “the definition of knowledge, how knowledge is constructed, how knowledge is evaluated, where knowledge resides, and how knowing occurs” (Hofer, 2001, p. 355) need serious reflection is we are to meet the challenges of technology integration. Teachers’ beliefs about and perceptions of technology determine what technology will be introduced into educational environments and how that technology will be used. This may be a major influence in our attitudes and use of technology. In addition there is disagreement among professionals about the use of technology with young children. The conflicting views from groups of professionals about technology can influence how we accept and use technology. In this chapter we will explore influences on our use of technology and provide recommendations from IDT and ECE professionals. Research supports that teachers develop their instructional decisions through knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values they agree are important and this influences what they nurture in their students.

The framework for this chapter incorporates perceptions between early childhood and instructional technology practitioners and their views of what is and is not appropriate technology for young children. The basis for Developmentally Appropriate Practice in early childhood settings comes from the personal interpretation of Piaget’s theories of development by teachers and faculty. To understand the expectations and perceptions of what this means in technology, the chapter focuses on the perceptions of professionals from two fields to better understand how technology use for young children is perceived. Professionals work in a limited realm dependent on their field and interpretations of experiences and perceptions of development. We will share how perceptions from different fields may influence the use of technology in educational settings with young children and suggest our interpretation, as well as implications from this research on teaching and learning.

The first section will discuss some of the issues related to use and definition of age appropriate technology for young children. We will share some of the myths associated with technology and some reasons for resistance from many early childhood professionals to use technology in their classrooms. Next we will share results from a survey administered to early childhood and instructional design technology professionals concerning age appropriate recommendations for varies types of popular technology. We will include the results in relation to some of the myths about technology use and conclude with recommended resources for teachers.