scholarly journals Girls, Boys, and Bots: Gender Differences in Young Children’s Performance on Robotics and Programming Tasks

10.28945/3547 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 145-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Sullivan ◽  
Marina Umashi Bers
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Second Grade ◽  
Prior Work ◽  
Technological Tools ◽  
Better Than

Prior work demonstrates the importance of introducing young children to programming and engineering content before gender stereotypes are fully developed and ingrained in later years. However, very little research on gender and early childhood technology interventions exist. This pilot study looks at N=45 children in kindergarten through second grade who completed an eight-week robotics and programming curriculum using the KIWI robotics kit. KIWI is a developmentally appropriate robotics construction set specifically designed for use with children ages 4 to 7 years old. Qualitative pre-interviews were administered to determine whether participating children had any gender-biased attitudes toward robotics and other engineering tools prior to using KIWI in their classrooms. Post-tests were administered upon completion of the curriculum to determine if any gender differences in achievement were present. Results showed that young children were beginning to form opinions about which technologies and tools would be better suited for boys and girls. While there were no significant differences between boys and girls on the robotics and simple programming tasks, boys performed significantly better than girls on the advanced programming tasks such as, using repeat loops with sensor parameters. Implications for the design of new technological tools and curriculum that are appealing to boys and girls are discussed.

scholarly journals Toward a Theory-Predicated Definition of Digital Literacy for Early Childhood

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. Kazakoff
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Second Grade ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Developmental Needs ◽  
Technological Tools ◽  
Definition Of

Though young children are frequent users of digital technology, there is no comprehensive definition of early childhood digital literacy. Currently, digital literacy and related terms are defined with much older children and adults in mind. This paper aims to lay groundwork for redefining digital literacy in an early childhood context. Taking into account the unique developmental needs of early childhood when discussing digital literacy can provide a gateway to developing technological tools and curricula to prepare children in kindergarten through second grade to be more effective users of digital technologies throughout their lives.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of a Faith Scale for Young Children

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 197
Author(s):  
Sungwon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Christian Education ◽  
Faith Development ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Development And Validation

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a faith scale for young children. Data were collected from 424 young children, who had not yet entered elementary school, with their parents rating their faith level. Sixty-five preliminary questions were formulated under three domains―knowing, loving, and living—that were based on existing studies related to faith. The questions were reduced to 40 through a content validity test conducted by a seven-member panel. These questions were subsequently refined through pilot study, main survey, and statistical analysis. After exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the scale was finalized, comprising 25 questions that can be categorized into three factors: confessional faith life, missional life, and distinctive life. This scale is expected to measure early childhood faith and prove the effectiveness of Christian education programs on a young child’s faith development.

iPods, Internet and Apps, Oh My

2013 ◽  
pp. 1650-1668
Author(s):  
Sally Blake ◽  
Denise L. Winsor ◽  
Candice Burkett ◽  
Lee Allen
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate Practice ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Design And Technology ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Beliefs About Technology ◽  
Teachers Attitudes

This chapter explores perceptions about technology and young children and includes results of a survey answered by Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) and Early Childhood Education (ECE) professionals in relation to age appropriate technology for young children. Integration of technology into early childhood programs has two major obstacles: (a) teachers’ attitudes towards and beliefs about technology and (b) perceptions of what is developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) in their classrooms. The issue of what constitutes developmentally appropriate practice for young children in relation to technology in early childhood education classrooms is one that may influence technology use in educational environments. The framework for this chapter explores perceptions of early childhood and instructional technology practitioners and their views of what is and is not appropriate technology for young children.

Introducing Computational Thinking Unplugged in Early Childhood Education Within the Context of Physical and Natural Science Courses

2022 ◽  
pp. 197-222
Author(s):  
Michail Kalogiannakis ◽  
Kalliopi Kanaki
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Natural Science ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Second Grade ◽  
Educational Activities ◽  
Science Courses ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Educational Framework ◽  
Second Grade Students

In the contemporary digital era, introducing computational thinking concepts is considered an imperative need at all stages of schooling, since they are inextricably linked to skills applicable and beneficial in everyday life. This chapter presents a novel educational framework that aims to foster the growth of computational thinking at early childhood stages, within the context of physical and natural science courses, pursuing the unplugged philosophy and following the principles of game-based, project-based and collaborative learning. This chapter also presents a relevant pilot study, conducted with second grade students of a Greek primary school, with the objective of assessing the feasibility of the proposed educational framework, as well as examining its effectiveness. The results stemming from the pilot are promising and reveal that the proposed approach serves our goal to enhance computational thinking at the first stages of schooling through engaging and fun educational activities that appeal to young students.

scholarly journals ‘Click on Miaow!’: How Children of Three and Four Years Experience the Nursery Computer

2002 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Brooker ◽  
John Siraj-Blatchford
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Cross National

This article reports the findings of an ecological, mixed-method study of the ways in which children aged three and four, from a variety of class and ethnic backgrounds, learn from the computer in their inner-urban nursery setting. In doing so, it acknowledges and contributes to the ongoing debate over the effects of information and communications technology (ICT) on young children's development and learning (both at home and at school), and explores the claims that are currently made for a positive role for ICT as a context for development in early childhood. The study was undertaken as part of a larger project, DATEC (Developmentally Appropriate Technology in Early Childhood), which is seeking to develop and disseminate exemplary uses of ICT with young children in a range of European settings. DATEC itself follows in the footsteps of an earlier project with European partners, CHAT (Children's Awareness of Technology), which launched a website for the exchange of research ideas and information in this field. Both DATEC and CHAT have aimed to develop cross-national (European) understandings of developmentally appropriate uses of technology, in a manner which parallels the work of the National Association for the Education of Young Children in the USA.

Educator licensure overlap in the early grades: Why it occurs, why it matters, and what to do about it

2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
R. Clarke Fowler
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Appropriate Practices ◽  
Educational Importance

In the United States, 48 states have recognized the educational importance of the early years by awarding stand-alone early childhood education (ECE) licenses that require specialized training in teaching young children. Yet, at the same time, teachers with elementary education (ELED) licenses are allowed to teach kindergarten in 34 states and 1st through 3 rd grade in more than 45 states. This means that teachers may be licensed to teach young children without receiving specialized early childhood training. R. Clarke Fowler explores the extent of the licensure overlap, the reasons for it, and the effects it has on early childhood education. He recommends moving toward a preK-3 license that requires teachers to learn developmentally appropriate practices for the education of young children.

Planning In-Person and Virtual Learning Through Translatable Instruction and the Early Childhood Flip

2021 ◽  
pp. 127-149
Author(s):  
Dina Rosen ◽  
Susan Poage
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Learning Technology ◽  
Remote Work ◽  
Instructional Tools ◽  
Brick And Mortar

In-person instruction is best for young children. While in-person instruction is best for young children, COVID-19 has shown educators that distance education is a viable option and might be an unavoidable reality. In this chapter, educators are identified as Teacher Nomads who need to be ready to shift instructional modes and use remote learning technology tools as important components of their brick-and-mortar classrooms. The authors develop the concept of the Early Childhood Flip. Key components of this developmentally appropriate remote instruction include visuals that mimic the classroom, a balance of on-screen and off-screen time, activities that build relationships and collaboration, edutainment and game-like elements, and engaging introductions by the teacher to motivate students in technology-driven independent remote work. The authors also introduce an approach to planning called Translatable Instruction, a design process that guides educators to mindfully balance in-person and virtual instructional tools to meet learning outcomes.

Early Childhood Corner: The Role of Technology in Early Childhood Learning

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 340-343 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Annual Conference ◽  
Cooperative Play ◽  
Disadvantaged Population ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Early Childhood Learning ◽  
First Time

If you ask, teachers will tell you about the advantages that they find in using computers. For example, writers have reported that fourand five-year-olds from an urban, economically disadvantaged population began making new friends as they asked others to join them in working at the computer. For the first time, they sought help from one another (Bowman 1985). An egocentric child learned cooperation and problem solving. Children's cooperative play paralleled the proportion of cooperative play in the block center and provided a context for initiating and sustaining interaction that could be transferred to play in other areas as well, especially for boys (Anderson 2000). Are these examples unique, or are such advantages widespread? We know that computers are increasingly a part of preschoolers' lives. From 80 percent to 90 percent of early childhood educators attending the annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children report using computers (Haugland 1997). Such use is no surprise— research on young children and technology indicates that we no longer need to ask whether the use of technology is “developmentally appropriate” (Clements and Nastasi 1993).

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