Early Childhood Professionals Who Make a Difference

Professionals who make a difference are one in a million.  After talking to this seasoned teacher, I realized once again that working as a teacher in the Early Childhood Education is the best position I could possible be in.  Her comment on using technology in an early childhood environment:  This is a great topic.  Technology has long been an ally in enhancing learning in literacy development in Early Childhood development because technology approach is through attractive/ colorful interactive games evidenced by how our Head Start children are learning in our mini computer center in our classroom.

Helpful related topic would be the kinds of technology you want to be used in the classroom i.e, is your study just limited to computer software and parts of it, or others like scanner, recorder, and stuff. She suggested these two links that will help.

http://secure.worldforumfoundation.org/library/5015417.pdf
http://www.netc.org/earlyconnections/byrequest.pdf

Current issues related to this  topic would be training for the teachers/personnel that should facilitate this technology, if it will be in technology what kind of software that will best enhance literacy or what kind of interactive games (focus or content), if the use of all technology resources- the availability of the technology tools in each classroom, will it be taught separately in the classroom or will it be integrated in all other curricular areas.

Other issues that commonly encounter in working with colleagues are
*The "how" of teaching a particular concept or lesson.
* Teaching should not just be to raise test scores /to pass standardized/State Test/ or meet AYP  (but teachers are tied into this cycle because they need to meet the expectation and therefore neglecting the true essence of teaching) rather than teach to the goal of education --- to develop students who are ‘confident and motivated’ and who enjoy reading and writing on their own, who enjoy challenges, and are able to work cooperatively.

A website that will help with advocacy efforts is: (Retrieved from http://www1.pgcps.org/UDL/index.aspx?id=132932)
    •      Special Education Law and Advocacy for Children with Disabilities
A Parent’s Guide to Advocacy on Universal Design for Learning, a Parent Advocacy Brief by the National Center on Learning Disability.
National Task Force on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) sponsored by the Advocacy Institute shares helpful online resources.
Universal Design for Learning and Meaningful Access to the Curriculum sponsored by TASH.

Another advocacy group that has useful information:
http://www.childrensdefense.org/policy-priorities/advocate-family-resources/child-advocacy-groups/
An issue that is of most concern are most in need of advocacy is
* Needy children & families -providing them with materials/resources they will need to educate themselves like training, seminar, books and literature in their language & with English translation and other related resources to improve their way of living, process of learning by both parents and children.

Thanks

Interviewing Professionals in Early Childhood

I am thinking about focusing my research paper on literacy development using technology in an early childhood classroom environment.  I had the opportunity to interview a teacher who has been teaching in this country for two years.  Before the interview, I wanted to get a little background information on how teaching was different or the same in her country. She is originally from the Philippines.  This teacher explained to me that teaching is a little different because of the children’s SES.  Most of the children are from parents who are economically stable and most are college graduates.  She sees an improvement in the learning of students as when they can work on computers that have programs that incorporate the children to be interactive. In the interview she stated that children have access to the newest technology and with the knowledge programs are enhanced to develop learning as students master one program after another.
Some of the related topics that she found interesting is that children in her classroom now do not have enough time to work on programs and she notes that it takes a one-on-one effort to help students to achieve more learning skills.  Another issue is insuring that basic programs are available to students who are ELL in order to slowly incorporate learning.
In discussions with other colleagues, she commented that there seems to be a disagreement of the amount of time students need in order to master programs.  It has been noted that teachers feel that they do not have enough time to sit with students on a one-on-one basis.  With a classroom of 20 students, it can be a little overwhelming to help individual students.  Some teachers have up to 25 students in the classroom with no paraprofessional.
Advocay effots that are currently underway in the area in the field of technology are teachers advocating for appropriate training, newer computer in classrooms, teachers who are using blogs, and comic creating software to help students to become more creative in their use of new technology on computers.
“All issues that on technology that will give students the opportunity to work effortlessly and creatively with computers are issues that I will advocate for”


Interview completed by Y. Tuitt 4/20/11

One Day At a Time

As we live our life one day at a time, remember to make a difference in a child's life.  Many children do not get the opportunity to listen to stories, create adventures with friends, enjoy making new friends or singing familiar nursery rhymes.  Give a child the opportunity to listen, create, sing and be included.

One day at a time.....

Yvette