Emmalou Hernandez

EDU-225
April 10, 2015

Blog entry 2: Integrating Instructional Technology

Introduction
Integrating technology in the classroom is a fore that has been brought into the realm of schools
nationwide in the most recent decade. Studies have shown the grand impact of having iPads or
similar tablets in early childhood classrooms. A new development and understanding is what
young children are learning from having iPads in the classroom. a clearer, quicker understanding
of material is what teachers are seeing when integrating technology in the classroom.
iPads
In the most recent years iPads and similar tablet devices have migrated their way into early
childhood classrooms. Having such tool brings an opportunity to have and use technology in
early childhood development. Grade levels as early as prekindergarten have started integrating
iPads into the classroom. Many programs have been created to fit the needs of early child
development, teachers needs, as well as parents needs. Familiar programs used with these
tablets are ABC mouse, Star Fall, and PBS kids. Teachers have found that these programs offer
the support your current curriculum needs and content that teachers of early childhood classes
want. Within these programs you will find all sorts of content to support and enhance your
classroom. Managing all areas of development these programs focus on literacy skills,
mathematical skills, arts & crafts, music and song, and much more. Including technology can
increase student engagement and motivation (Chiong, Ree, Takeuchi, & Erickson, 2012);
Developmentally Appropriate Interactive Technology
Developmentally appropriate interactive technology has become increasingly popular in the early
childhood setting. An IWB is a wall-mounted, touch-sensitive flat screen. (Lider, 2012) Many
early elementary classes have developed and taken on these interactive technologies. Interactive

white boards are now in every classroom across the US. IWB are motivational for children and
allow for visual, auditory and kinesthetic involvement making the brain work in all areas at one
time. When the brain is stimulated in more than one area at one time it creates new neurons and
pathways for learning and storing information. Goodwin (2008) finds that children who use these
forms of interactive technology have more complex understandings of fractions than children in
settings where the technology is not incorporated into lessons.
A Framework for iPad
Technology is an important component of a globally focused, globally linked classroom
(Suarez-Orozco, 2007). Having iPads and other tablets in the classroom will enhance learning
through motivational tactics. Young children yearn to be like their siblings, parents, and older
caregivers. This sense of being able to play with a technology tool drives young children and
sparks an interest therefore fueling the brain to actively start learning. Programs such as ABC
mouse have gone above and beyond grabbing childrens attention with learning games.
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning
With such success of integrating, technology in the classroom there will be times that it can have
its downfall if instruction is not carefully planned out. Many times the use of technology in an
early childhood classroom can be misleading to some children. Some children may seem to get
overly distracted with the device and can just seemingly go through the motions. One fear
teachers have is reaching the day when technology can overturn its self in the classroom setting
with younger children. Children can be overly excited and not focus on the lesson.
In the absence of a solid teaching framework, we worry that at best, apps will waste precious
classroom time, and at worst, students will learn incorrect information and develop
misconceptions. Duke & Pearson, 2002; Pearson & Gallagher, 1983). Although there are minor

downfalls to having iPads integrated in the classroom, there are effective ways to avoid these
downfalls, and that is having an effective instruction plan.

Wired and Wireless Classrooms

Having both wired and wireless classrooms both have their pros and cons. Aside from
the more obvious reasons like economics and wireless classrooms being much more expensive
and wired classrooms would save a few thousand dollars for schools. Some other pros on having
wired classrooms would be that the connection from wired to wireless is realizable and is not
affected by wireless signals such as cellular phones. Whereas wired classrooms have trouble with
connection when weather conditions arise. When having a wired classroom the life expectancy is
greater where a wireless classroom the length of a solid connection is limited.
Conclusion
Integrating technology into the classroom is one of the quickest forms of instruction to be
adopted by teachers in early elementary classes. With its ever popular and influential devices
growing on the hands of children every day, teachers have managed different ways to incorporate
effective teaching lessons with iPads and interactive white boards. These technology elements
have given students a broader understanding of lessons and have influenced all areas of
development, not to mention teachers have found supporting tools and software for instruction
through integrating technology into the classroom.

References
Chiong, C., Ree, J., Takeuchi, L., & Erickson, I. (2012). Print books vs. e-books: Comparing
parentchild cop-reading on print, basic, and enhanced e-book platforms. New York: The Joan
Ganz Cooney Center. Retrieved November 15, 2012, from
www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/upload_kits/jgcc_ebooks_quickreport.pdf

Duke, N.K., & Pearson, D.P. (2002). Effective practices for developing reading comprehension.
In A.E. Farstrup &
S.J. Samuels (Eds.), What research has to say about reading instruction (3rd ed., pp. 205 242).
Newark, DE: International Reading
Association.

Goodwin, K. 2008. The Impact of Interactive Multimedia on Kindergarten Students

Representations of Fractions. Issues n Educational Research 18 (2): 103-117.