Teachers
and parents need
serious technology
playtimeSetting up technology playdates that lead to
technology mastery in early childhood settings
NAEYC Annual Conference, Washington, DC 2013
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth. All rights reserved.
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Playtime brought to you by…
Karen Nemeth, Ed.M.
Fran Simon, M.Ed.
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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Hello- From Fran
http://bit.ly/TECPLAYDATE
SLIDES
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Who are you?
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
• Do you know about the Position
Statement?
• Have you read it?
• Do you use it?
http://www.naeyc.org/content/technology-and-young-children
NAEYC/FRC Position Statement on Tech
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Investments in technology tools are wasted
without investments in professional
development.
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.7
Adults need
technology “play
time” AND formal
professional
development to
understand the
implications of
the tools
Your technology will end up like this without PD8
Our research
http://kaywa.me/vHkL79
@ Copyright, Fran Simon Dale McManis, and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
More data
coming soon!
Our research
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@ Copyright, Fran Simon Dale McManis, and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
http://kaywa.me/QIB94
Webinar on
December 5, 2012
Hatch Early
Learning Webinars
In programs that use technology, after high cost, administrators and
teachers report that not having enough PD was the biggest obstacle to
helping children meet learning goals using technology tools
11@ Copyright, Fran Simon Dale McManis, and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
In programs that use technology, ADMINISTRATORS report being offered
the following types of educational technology professional
development
Attended
formal
workshops or
online
training that
were not
helpful
Attended
formal
workshops or
online
training that
were helpful
Used
computer-
based self-
paced
tutorials that
were not
helpful
Used
computer-
based self-
paced
tutorials that
were helpful
Got help from
a friend or
colleague
Read the
manual or
called tech
support
Found
answers in
online forums
or blogs
Learned
about
educational
technology in
college
coursework
I have little
or no
professional
development
of any type
on technology
Other
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@ Copyright, Fran Simon Dale McManis, and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
In programs that use technology, TEACHERS report being offered the
following types of educational technology professional development
Attended
formal
workshops or
online
training that
were not
helpful
Attended
formal
workshops or
online
training that
were helpful
Used
computer-
based self-
paced
tutorials that
were not
helpful
Used
computer-
based self-
paced
tutorials that
were helpful
Got help from
a friend or
colleague
Read the
manual or
called tech
support
Found
answers in
online forums
or blogs
Learned
about
educational
technology in
college
coursework
I have little
or no
professional
development
of any type
on technology
Other
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 13
Tech Professional Development Requires…
Openness and acceptance
Safe risk taking
A combination of
Formal training
Playtime exploration
Coaching
Mentoring
Role modeling
Peer leadership
Practice with the childrenPhoto credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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Rationale for Various Technology PD
Combinations Formal Training--
Introduction
Playtime--
Application
Coaching/mentoring--
Extension
Introduce new tech skills
and applications
Connect tech to best
practice in ECE
Apply skills in relevant
contexts and have fun
Explore with peers and
tech savvy models
Push skills, interests and
learning to the next level
Get feedback from more
experienced people
Peer-to-Peer--
Collaboration
Classroom--
On the job experience
Get and share ideas and
learn from the
experiences of others
See tech in action as an
observer
Apply skills in relevant
context with children and
with realtime challenges
Get feedback from what
works and what does not @ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 15
Why adults need playtime, too!@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 16
Our storyTech Playtime at conferences@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 17
Our Playdates
• Technology Interest Forum Tech Playroom, Annual Conferences
2006, 2007
• Administration Station, NAEYC Annual Conference 2008
• Technology Play Date, NAEYC Professional Development
Conference, 2012
• Tech on Deck, NAEYC Annual Conference, 2012
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 18
How did we do it?
1. We saw a need
2. Identified our audience
3. Planned goals
4. Located partner organizations
5. Secured space
6. Identified topics of interest and
7. planned activities for each
8. Found experts to facilitate each topic
9. Created visual aides and handouts
10. Promoted the event
11. Created a survey for feedback
12. Participated in the funPhoto credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 19
Planning your technoplaytime
Identify audience
Identify objectives
Assess skills
Assess the available tools
Determine the space
Plan “activity starters” to provide
context and relevancy
Photo credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 20
The goals are to…
Guide teachers (parents) to:
Add new tools to their toolkits
Connect those who know with those who
need to/want to learn
Link technology use to DAP, curriculum,
content, and standards
Learn from peers and experts
Have funPhoto credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 21
Like everything meaningful, good
technology playtime takes planning
Assess the group’s current skill level
Assess the available tools
Identifying experts to lead activities
Identify peer leaders
Identify those who need more support
Plan objectives
Playtime and formal training must have
objectives – They can’t be a free for all@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 22
Informal training works best in context!
The classroom is the optimal location
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 23
But what if that is not possible?
• Classroom?
• Community Center?
• Auditorium?
• Community College?
• House of worship?
• Town Hall?
• A private home?
• Local training space?
• CCR&R?
• Where else?
You need space that can accommodate:
• Lots of outlets
• Internet access! @ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 24
Where do you get the devices?
If you are lucky, your program has enough
devices!
BYOD
Ask parents and local businesses to loan
Try to partner with computer stores and kiosks
Ask your CCR&R
Ask your agency or affiliate agency
No need for one on one! Remember
people share!@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 25
Tips for the Classroom TechnoPlaySpace
Ask an expert or peer expert to be the facilitator in each
of the Interest Areas (Learning/Activity Centers)
Photo credit: © 2012 Giovanni Arroyo
GiovanniArroyo.com
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved. 26
Tips for the Classroom Playspace
Invite participants to engage with devices in the Interest
Areas
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Tips for the Classroom Playspace
Let participants move around as their interests change
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Tips for the Classroom Playspace
Provide visual aides: Add signs, labels and information
about objectives related to integrating technology into
the Interest Area.
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Tips for the Classroom Playspace
Add ideas of apps and websites for each area
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Tips for the Classroom Playspace
Give reluctant participants “activity starters” to warm
them up and get them thinking
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Create groups that make sense for your
audience
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Thanks, and stay in touch!
Karen
LanguageCastle.com
ECEtech.net
Fran
EngagementStrategies.com
ECEtech.net
EarlyChildhoodWebinars.com
@ Copyright, Fran Simon and Karen Nemeth All rights reserved.
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