Computers & Technology in First Grade

1. Computers & Technologyin First Grade By Deanna Cohn Email: dcohn@hvrsd.k12.nj.us Web Address: www.angelfire.com/de3/cohn Click here to listen to a video introduction

2. Learning should be Fun!

3. Computers in First Grade Can a daily routine using technology for learning, reinforcement, and practice be beneficial for new and re-visited concepts in first grade? Mission: To show how age appropriate interactive websites and software can be used to enrich, engage, and assist students in first grade

4. Make use of technology for learning across the curriculum. Utilize technology where appropriate for creating reports, researching, and communicating with others. Utilize e-mail and access the Internet to foster communication within the school, community, and the world. Have available computers, networking, and other technology hardware. Some Goals & Objectives from hvrsd To read more hvrsd goals & objectives please visit: http://www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/district/tech/webTech2005b.doc

5. A Look at Both Sides

6. Research done by NAEYC • Developmentally appropriate ways to use • the computer varies from age to age in • the primary level. • The computer should not be used just • for drills in basic skills. • Children need to be able to have open • opportunities to navigate and make some of • their own developmentally appropriate • choices. • The computer should be used jointly by • teacher/student or student/student.

7. A Survey Taken by Education World: • The survey did not find substantial evidence that using computers on a daily basis do not assist children in learning across the curriculum. • In fact they found that youngsters that are exposed daily to computer use for enrichment, reinforcement, and assistance, work more independently on meaningful core concepts being learned in the primary grades.

8. Guidelines for Finding a Good Interactive Website for First Grade • Site should be child friendly • Easy to navigate • Fun, but educational • Educational games are ideal • Familiar characters are well liked by children • Connect to the core standards • Site has various focuses for newly learned concepts

9. A Few Great Sites An exceptional website for Language Arts is http://teacher.scholastic.com There are a variety of interactive books and educational activities at this website for all grade levels. One that I found particularly helpful is the Clifford The Big Red Dog interactive book on line. This site also has several different stories and activities on line, using the popular children’s books, Clifford The Big Red Dog. Language Arts

10. Another fun and interesting interactive website for children is: Primary MathHere you can find…

11. Including Science & Social Studies in the fun world of interactive learning • http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/ • www.timeforkids.com • http://www.greatsitesforkids.com/gsfk/land.asp

12. A Useful Tool For Teachers • http://www.ilovethatteachingidea.com/ • http://www.edhelper.com/ • http://www.4teachers.org/

13. References • Hopewell Valley Regional School District http://www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/district/tech/webTech2005b.doc • Scholastic.com • http://teacher.scholastic.com • Primary Math • http://www.primarymath.org/MinuteIndex_Kind.jsp • Enchanted Learning • http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/ • Time for Kids • www.timeforkids.com • Great Site for Kids • http://www.greatsitesforkids.com/gsfk/land.asp • Love That Teaching Idea • http://www.ilovethatteachingidea.com/ • Ed Helper • http://www.edhelper.com/ • 4 Teachers.org • http://www.4teachers.org/