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