Surveying Preschoolers’ Computer Use Capabilities

Authors

  • Michael Vitoulis Lecturer in Department of Early Childhood Care and Education, Alexander Technological Education Institute of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

Keywords:

Early Childhood Education, Computer ICT, Preschool, Toddler, Children’s Computer Skills, Appropriate Age of Computer Using, New Technologies.

Abstract

This study detected computer skills that children have developed spontaneously in their everyday lives and those that have already possessed during their studies at the early childhood education centers. The survey involved 453 children, aged 3 to 5, attending 24 different early childhood education structures. A 25-point computer skill observation form, supported by a corresponding rubric, was used to describe the computer capabilities of preschool children. According to the results of the study, as children registered for early childhood education settings, they brought with them their pre-existing computer skills. These skills could potentially hold a key role in designing future educational programs. The age of children seemed to affect these skills up to the age of 4. Implications of findings, concerning computer skills of preschool children, are discussed.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. “Policy Statement— Media Use by Children Younger Than 2 Years. Pediatrics”, 128(5), 2011, pp. 1–7.

B. Funk, J. Brouwer, K. Curtiss & E. McBroom. “Parents of Preschoolers: Expert Media Recommendations and Ratings Knowledge, Media-Effects Beliefs, and Monitoring Practices.” Pediatrics, 123(3), 2009, pp. 981–88.

Ch. Hohmann. “Evaluating and selecting software for children”. Child Care nformation Exchange, 123, 1998, pp. 60-62.

NAEYC. “NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs. Position statement.” Washington, 2009. Retrieved from www.naeyc.org/fles/naeyc/fle/positions/ProfPrepStandards09.pd

L. S. Judge. “Selecting developmentally appropriate software.” Children and Families, 16(3), 2002, pp. 18–19.

D. H. Clements. “The effective use of computers with young children.” In Juanita V. Copley (Ed.), Mathematics in the early years (pp. 119-128). Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. ED 440 786, 1999.

D. H. Clements & J. Sarama. “Young children and technology: What does the research say?” Young Children, 58(6), 2003, pp. 34-40.

National Institute for Literacy. Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel. A Scientific Synthesis of Early Literacy Development and Implications for Intervention. T. Shanahan, Chair. Louisville, KY: National Center for Family Literacy, 2008.

S. W. Haugland. “What role should technology play in young children's learning? Part 2. Early childhood classrooms for the 21st century. Using computers to maximize learning.” Young Children, 55(1), 2000, pp. 12-18.

L. Plowman, J. McPake & C. Stephen. “Extending opportunities for learning. The role of digital media in early education.” In S. Suggate & E. Reese (Eds), Contemporary debates in childhood education and development. New York: Routledge, 2012, pp. 95–104.

V. Rideout & E. Hamel. The media family: Electronic media in the lives of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents. Menlo Park, CA: Kaiser Family Foundation, 2006.

F. Simon & C. Donohue. “Tools of Engagement: Status Report on Technology in Early Childhood Education.” Exchange, 199, 2011, pp. 16–22.

Common Sense Media “Zero to Eight: Children’s Media Use in America.” San Francisco, 2011. Author. www.commonsensemedia.org/ research/zero-eight-childrens-media-use-americ

NAEYC. “Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8” -. Position Statement, 2012.

R. A. Lauricella, F. R. Barr & L. S. Calvert. “Emerging computer skills: influences of young children’s executive functioning abilities and parental scaffolding techniques in the US.” Journal of Children and Media, 3(3), 2009, pp. 217–233.

C. Hughes. “Executive functions and development: Why the interest?” Infant and Child Development, 11, 2002, pp. 69–71.

E. A. Lane & J. M. Ziviani. “Factors influencing skilled use of the computer mouse by school-aged children.” Computers & Education, 55(3), 2010, pp. 1112–1122.

A. Donker & P. Reitsma. “Young children’s ability to use a computer mouse.” Computers & Education, 48, 2007, pp. 602–617.

P. J. Hourcade. “Learning from preschool children’s pointing sub-movements.” Paper presented at the 5th Annual Conference for Interaction Design and Children, June, Tampere, Finland, 2006.

E. Wood, T. Willoughby, A. Schmidt, L. Porter, J. Specht & J.Gilbert. “Assessing the use of input devices for teachers and children in early childhood education programs.” Information Technology in Childhood Education Annual, 2004, pp. 261–280.

J. McPake, C. Stephen, L.Plowman, D.Sime & S. Downey. Already t a disadvantage? ICT in the home and children’s preparation for primary school. Becta org., 2005.

M. Bittman, L. Rutherford, J. Brown & L. Unsworth. “Digital natives? New and old media and children’s outcomes.” Australian Journal of Education, 55(2), 2011, pp. 161–175.

T. Cross, A. Woods & H.Schweingruber. Mathematics Learning in Early Childhood: Paths toward Excellence and Equity. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2009.

M. Prensky. Digital game-based learning. McGraw-Hill Pub. Co., 2004.

J. Marsh, G. Brooks, J. Hughes, L. Ritchie, S. Roberts & K. Wright. Digital beginnings: young children’s use of popular culture, media and new technologies. Sheffield: University of Sheffield, Literacy Research Center, 2005.

DESI. “The Digital Economy and Society Index 2015.” European Commission, 2015. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/desi

J. Piaget. Behavior and evolution. New York: Random House, 1978.

L. S. Vygotsky. Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1978.

Downloads

Published

2017-08-15

How to Cite

Vitoulis, M. (2017). Surveying Preschoolers’ Computer Use Capabilities. International Journal of Computer (IJC), 26(1), 161–174. Retrieved from https://ijcjournal.org/index.php/InternationalJournalOfComputer/article/view/1038

Issue

Section

Articles