The idea of technology and preschool going hand in hand is something many people would not consider a good match. However, preschool is the perfect time to introduce and incorporate technology into daily learning. As a preschool teacher I understand that birth to age five it key to not only the physical growth and development of a child but it is also the optimal time for exploring and learning. So in my mind, introducing technology to preschool age students sets them up to be more successful throughout their entire school career as well as preparing them for the demands of 21st century society. With in my preschool classroom, the students use computers to play interactive games that cover all developmental areas, we have a classroom digital camera that we use to create classroom books, and document student work that might not otherwise be recordable. I also have a classroom laptop that has Internet access and we use that to do research on relevant topics, like the phases of the moon, volcano eruptions, listening to music, or any other idea that the students come up with. Using the Internet in that way, I think makes learning more meaningful and interesting to my students and they retain more information because they can really make it their own.
If I consider the NETS for teachers' standards I think that with the limited resources that I have access to I am taking steps in the right direction towards building a strong technological future for my classroom. I know there is so much more that I could be doing and so much more that I can and will learn.
One of the biggest barriers I face as well as many other educators face in regards to incorporating more technology is limited funding. It seems like every year budgets are getting smaller while the demands for a well rounded education are getting bigger. So, the challenge for educators becomes how to balance the needs of every student, a limited budget, and the demands of society.
I would say I am not very fearful of technology and the application of technology in my classroom, but rather unfamiliar with all of the technology options that are available to me that would enhance my lessons and the learning experiences that my preschoolers receive.
I look forward to expanding my knowledge of the technologies that are available to me so I can enhance and supplement my daily lesson plans and expose my preschoolers to many more technology based learning opportunities. I believe that gaining knowledge in a subject matter that offers you challenges gives you the power to better not only yourself but influence everyone you come into contact with. I hope to gain a stronger baseline knowledge of the available technologies, so I will be more comfortable using them in my preschool classroom, as well as more comfortable with sharing that knowledge with others.
