Education Commons^™

Technology Enhances Literacy & Numeracy Skills In A Play-Based Preschool Classroom, Sarah Ringsdorf

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This research project investigated how technology can improve literacy and numeracy skills in a play-based preschool setting. This study looked at four basic literacy skills and four basic numeracy skills that could be enhanced through the use of the KidsAcademy iPad app. This study used a quantitative approach with a dependent sample t-test to look at how literacy and numeracy scores changed from a pre-test to a post-test. Data was analyzed using an average means between the students that used the technology. Findings suggest that the use of technology in preschool can advance literacy and numeracy skills, thus aiding in …

Improving Preschoolers’ Number Sense Using Computer Math Games, Justine Hosch

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research study was to determine whether a preschool child’s number sense skills could be improved by using the iPad application ABCya! Games. The research study was conducted in a preschool classroom of 19 students at an elementary school in central Iowa. A mixed methods approach was used to collect data as students were assessed prior to and after the intervention, and were observed playing the technology-based math games during the intervention period. Given the limitations of the study, the findings of this study determined that the technology did not significantly improve student learning outcomes in …

Technology To Increase Peer Interactions In Preschool, Angela Mclean

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Adding technology to the preschool classroom without interfering with social interactions is a dilemma for educators. Peer interactions are an important developmental goal in preschool age students. Increased pressure to include technology in education at earlier ages is often viewed as a hindrance to social interactions in play-based curriculum, with many educators feeling unprepared in the methods to incorporate technology. The goal of this literature review is to analyze current research to discover methods that can increase social interactions among peers with the addition of technology tools in the preschool classroom. This review looked at forty-seven studies of social interactions …

Technology Use In Early Childhood, Sandra Anderson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review examines the influence of technology on early childhood development. It uses scholarly journals and articles to show the benefits and risks of technology use and how it can be used to compliment growth, development, and learning of young children. It also examines how technology can impact the early childhood developmental domains of: (a) social emotional, (b) cognitive, (c) physical motor, (d) language and literacy, and (e) mathematics. The influence of technology use on teaching and the family are also addressed. Furthermore, this literature review includes implications for the future, continuing research, and recommendations from the American Academy …

Impact Of Technology Use On Early Childhood, Paige Davidson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Technology is something that has evolved immensely over the last 20 years and only continues to grow and change. Technology has affected early childhood education, in the home and classroom. This literature review explores the impact of technology use on young children, as well as how educators can support students learning using technology. The literature review will analyze how technology can positively affect student learning through increased collaboration, enhanced engagement, strengthened motivation and creativity. In addition, the literature review will explain how technology can improve academic skills, such as reading and math. Educators are the key facilitators for improving student …

Lessons Learned: What The Covid-19 Global Pandemic Has Taught Us About Teaching, Technology And Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jane Roitsch, Robert L. Moore, Annemarie Horn

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Purpose. This paper examines the impact of the abrupt transition from attending school face-to-face to participating in online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by a parent of a student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Design/methodology/approach. A phone interview was conducted with the parent of a child with ASD. The semi-structured interview focused on how the child’s family was impacted when classes shifted to virtual from face-to-face learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings. Four themes emerged from the interview. Three of these included adjustments to changes in 1) routines and roles, 2) …

Stem Education In The Early Childhood Classroom, Julia Biagiotti

Honors Program Theses and Projects

This qualitative study focuses on the type of STEM education students are getting at the early childhood level (PK-2). Based on gaps found in literature, an interview protocol was created and six participants with various careers in the field of STEM education were interviewed. The research was concentrated on trying to determine what components of STEM education make it successful in the early childhood classroom. All of the interview responses were analyzed and coded and determined the results found below. A few integral parts of a successful STEM education seem to be curiosity, asking questions and a hands-on component, but …

The Effects Of Technology In Early Childhood, Krista Werling

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This literature review examines the effects of technology in early childhood. This literature review uses scholarly journals and articles to show the advantages and disadvantages of technology in early childhood. The research examines how technology can impact a child's development in the areas of (a) social emotional, (b) physical, (c) cognitive, (d) language, (e) mathematics, and (f) literacy skills. The advantages and disadvantages of technology will be reviewed in each of these early childhood developmental areas. Parents and teachers must be aware of screen time guidelines. Recommendations from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the …

The Level Of Engagement Of Typically Developing Students Versus Students Enrolled In Special Education And Their Response To Teacher-Led Music Instruction Versus Technology-Led Music, Candice Haugen

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Technology comes in many forms and is more accessible than ever before. There are many notable benefits of using technology. However, there are also negative effects when used incorrectly or not in moderation. There are various views on when technology should be incorporated into a classroom, the types of classrooms and how early within the educational setting it should be used. Based on research gathered, technology should be used within the classroom to enhance learning, not replace face-to-face interactions or experiences. Music within the early childhood classroom is beneficial to all learners within the environment. There are various ways to …

Finding The Path Beneath My Feet, Jill O'Craven

SASAH 4th Year Capstone and Other Projects: Publications

Jill O'Craven participated in two CEL experiences: first, assisting with the second-year Digital Humanities course taken by SASAH students and producing a video on breaking down the A&H/STEM dichotomy and, second, volunteering at the London Children's Museum assisting with running the Early Years' Play Dates. The two experiences were useful in crystalizing her interest in science communication and education outside the classroom and helped her develop skills and experience to pursue this passion.

The Effects Of Early Technology Use On The Development Of Young Children, Kara E. Avis

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

With technology becoming a prevalent part of daily life, early childhood experts, teachers, and parents have concerns as to what is appropriate for young children to do and use. Research shows both benefits and potential risks associated with technology use. Benefits can include enhanced creativity and collaboration with peers and adults, literacy achievement gains, language and vocabulary development, and opportunities for independence. These benefits generally occur in purposeful situations with developmentally appropriate educational content alongside adult guidance and scaffolding. Risks include health factors, cognitive and behavioral challenges, displacement of traditional developmental activities, and fewer personal interactions. These risks are more …

Stem Opportunities - High School 2019, Huey-Xian Kelly Wong, Madeleine Rauhauser, Annie Morgan Nelson

Honors Expanded Learning Clubs

This publication details the lesson plan for the “Opportunities in STEM” club for the summer of 2019. This club began out of a desire to educate high school students about the opportunities and careers available in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Often, students feel that the prospect of entering a STEM field is daunting and out of their grasp. What it means to be a scientist is often unclear, and students never consider opportunities out of the fear of the unknown, particularly when science is associated with complexity and difficulty. This lesson plan integrates experiments with a wealth …

Increasing Engagement During Circle Time Using Technology, Amanda Williams

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

All preschool teachers dream of a way to make all students engaged during circle time. This may seem like an impossible task but this study finds that adding technology during circle time can increase engagement. In this study the teacher and the students will be using a Smart Board as the technology. This is done by using interactive hands on activities allowing the students to be involved in their own learning rather than being lectured the information. In this study a rubric was used to assess the student’s engagement during circle time. Engagement without the use of technology scored a …

Increasing Family Involvement With The Use Of Technology, Briana Riddle

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to determine if the use of an online application could increase parental involvement, more specifically communication, in a prekindergarten setting. Data was collected through quantitative means using a tally system for each occurrence of communication and which method was used. The classroom setting consist of two groups of students, an AM and a PM group. One class had the application made available to them, along with the other forms of communication, while the other class only had the basic forms of communication (e-mail, face-to-face, or phone calls) available. Analysis of the data …

The Impact Of Technology Selection On Student Literacy Achievement, Elizabeth Daggett

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to determine if prekindergarten students could increase literacy achievement and motivation when the educator selects the technology based on learning goals and the Iowa Early Learning Standards. High quality technology applications were provided during whole group, small group, and learning centers. Data was collected through quantitative means using Teaching Strategies GOLD and the Individual Growth and Development Indicators (IGDI) test scores. Analysis of the data collected suggests that the prekindergarten student’s GOLD and IGDI scores increased as specific technology integration was implemented in the classroom.

We’Ve Come A Long Way (Baby)! Or Have We? Evolving Intellectual Freedom Issues In The Us And Florida, L. Bryan Cooper, A.D. Beman-Cavallaro

Works of the FIU Libraries

This paper analyzes a shifting landscape of intellectual freedom (IF) in and outside Florida for children, adolescents, teens and adults. National ideals stand in tension with local and state developments, as new threats are visible in historical, legal, and technological context. Examples include doctrinal shifts, legislative bills, electronic surveillance and recent attempts to censor books, classroom texts, and reading lists.

Privacy rights for minors in Florida are increasingly unstable. New assertions of parental rights are part of a larger conservative animus. Proponents of IF can identify a lessening of ideals and standards that began after doctrinal fruition in the 1960s …

The Effect Of Technology On Student Achievement With English Language Learners In An Early Childhood Classroom Setting, Tiffany Vasquez-Dewein

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to determine if there was a correlation between the use of iPads to improve student achievement and traditional methods of teaching with four and five-year-old English language learners (ELLs). Two control groups of four ELLs were taught in math three times a week. Control group A was taught using iPad applications to support math teaching in alongside traditional teachings in math. Control group B were taught with age appropriate early childhood materials such as counting cards and manipulatives to support the traditional teachings in math. Data was collected at the end of …

Integrating Technology Into Kindergarten Writing Program, Colleen K. Hahn

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research project was to determine if incorporating technology into a kindergarten-writing program could increase their motivation and attitudes, and hence improve their writing abilities. Two types of technology were introduced to the writing program; one being an electronic portfolio to share their work and the second was a digital story writing software. Data was collected by use of attitude surveys, observational notes, and student writing samples. Analysis of the data suggests that students were more engaged during the writing time and were very motivated to write if they could publish it to their online portfolio.

Integrating Technology Into Morning Meeting In Early Childhood, Micaela Borer

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

In early childhood education (ECE), there are many interpretations of the morning meeting. This meeting can encompass learning in several areas of early childhood namely mathematics, literacy, and social skill building. Many activities within morning meeting help with classroom management and can be beneficial to children with special needs as well including morning message, visual schedules, and calendar time. Some ECE professionals are beginning to note that technology can also be included in this crucial part of the school day. Incorporating technology not only will encourage young children to learn, but will prepare them for their future. Technology use is …

Documentation And The Use Of Technology In The Study Of Early Childhood Learning, Nancy Barrick Gaumer

Sabbaticals

Documentation is the process of record-keeping and collection of children's work at different stages of development and of making children's thinking and learning visible. Documentation is done for a variety of purposes such as guiding instruction, assessment of development, studying pedagogy, and communicating with others. Documentation (sometimes called "pedagogical documentation") guides instruction by focusing teachers on what children know, what they are interested in, and providing clues as to the best ways to reach and teach individuals and groups of children. Assessing the development of individual children is probably one of the most common uses of documentation. Documentation gives us …