Technology and Ict in Early Childhood Education

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TECHNOLOGY AND ICT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 2013

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INTRODUCTION Since the implementation of the first computer system in the 1960s, different measures and plans have been developed to increase the integration of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in all educational fields (Nordin, Embi & Yunus, (2010); Nordin et al, (2010); Salehi & Salehi, (2012); Ynus, Salehi & Chenzi, 2012)). According to TechTerm, ICT stands for ‘Information and Communication Technology’ and it refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is similar to Information Technology (IT) but focuses on communications technologies. ICT can be defined as ‘anything which allows us to get information, to communicate with each other or to have an effect on the environment using electronic or digital equipment’. In early childhood education, the term ICT could include computers hardware and software, digital cameras and video cameras, the Internet, telecommunication tools, programmable toys and many other devices and resources. The literature suggests at least three reasons why we should implement technology and ICT in early childhood education. First, technology and ICT have an effect on the people and environment that surround young children’s learning. Second, these technologies offer new opportunities to strengthen many aspect of early childhood education practice. Third, there is support and interest across the whole education sector for the development and integration of ICT into education policy, curriculum, and practice. By embracing technology and ICT, teachers are able to create good engagement with their students in many different subjects and with diverse activities. It also offers opportunities for language use, social interaction and increased motivation among students. Therefore, as literacy educators in this 21st century, we should take advantage on using of technology and ICT in our learning process as it offers many benefits t us. Many researches have been done to prove it and we should not neglect the use of technology and ICT in our education process especially toward early childhood education.

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IMPROVING VOCABULARY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND ICT

Vocabulary is more than a list of words and although the size of one’s vocabulary or schemata matters, knowing how to use it also matters. Research suggests that vocabulary is enormously important to children’s development especially in reading. Research clearly indicates that children with larger vocabularies have higher school achievement in general (Smith, 1941, cited in Beck, McKeown and Kucan, 2002) and higher reading achievement. One of the most important things in learning a language is vocabulary. Through vocabulary, we can express our thoughts and opinion about everything. Therefore, teaching vocabulary to the students is very significant. In the past, students usually presented with reading text, books or pictures when they studied vocabulary. However, since the development of information and computer technology (ICT), teaching and studying activities become more varied especially when dealing with vocabulary. According to Dudenney (2000), Chapelle (2001), Young (2003) and Melor Md Yunus (2007), the use of technology as a tool to develop the different language skills has received great attention. In order to activate the improve vocabulary especially in early child education, teachers need new methods which will be able to interact and satisfy the students who live in the era of ICT. It is a valuable tool to improve teaching and learning vocabulary not only for students but also for us a teacher.

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PROJECT “SHAPE, SHAPE, SHAPE!” Therefore, for first vocabulary project with the kindergarten students, I will conduct project “SHAPE, SHAPE, SHAPE! In this project, the students will learn about varieties of shapes and how to differentiate shapes. They will learn new vocabulary, able to cooperate with their classmates, be creative and learn new things during the process of this project. Throughout this project, I will implement some technology tools and software such as LCD projector, computer, computer speaker, digital camera and Microsoft PowerPoint. This project will be conducted among
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TECHNOLOGY AND ICT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 2013 kindergarten students. By the end of this project, hopefully I will add their vocabularies and have fun during the project.

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SELECTION OF TECHNOLOGY TOOLS AND SOFTWARE For this project, I will use four technology tools and software. Here are the lists of

tools that I will use:1. LCD Projector 2. A computer 3. Microsoft PowerPoint 4. Digital camera 5. Computer Speaker 6. GOM player

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LCD Projector According to Wikipedia, LCD projector is a type of video projector for

displaying video, images or computer data on a screen or other flat surface. It is a modern equivalent of the slide projector or overhead projector. To display images, LCD also know as Liquid- crystal display projector typically send light from a metalhalide lamp through a prism or series of dichroic filters that separates light to three polysilicon panel, one each for the red, green and blue components of the video signal. LCD projectors are beneficial in the classroom for many reasons. For instance, using it in a crowded classroom during a special demonstration in areas such as science, art of technology and more. Teachers are also able to use LCD projectors within the classroom to display educational PowerPoint presentations, videos and information directly from the Internet by using LCD projectors. This makes LCD projectors are useful in everyday activities and lesson within the classroom. I am choosing LCD projector as one of my tools because I will use it for the whole stages of this project. This LCD projector will be use to show a video clip to the kindergarten students, present a PowerPoint presentation, and play game through LCD projector. I will set up a game to work on the LCD projector so that the whole class can participate in the game.
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Computer Computer is a device that computes, especially a programmable electronic

machine that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information. Computers play a vital role in every field. They aid industrial processes, find applications in medicine, heart of the software industry and they play an important role in education. I choose to use computer because it is the vital tools for the whole project. Without computer, this project probably cannot be conducted. One of the uses of computer in this project is to facilitate audio-visual representation of information and making the process of learning interactive and interesting. Computer –aided teaching will add fun element to this project. Other than that, computers also facilitate effective presentation of information. Presentation software like PowerPoint can be a great help to teachers in teaching process. Through computer, I will show the kindergarten student a video clip, play song, make a presentation, and conduct a fun game with them.

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Microsoft PowerPoint According to Wikipedia, Microsoft PowerPoint is the name of a proprietary

commercial presentation program developed by Microsoft. It was officially launched on May 22, 1990 as a part of the Microsoft Office suite and runs on Microsoft Windows and Apple’s Mac OS X operating system. PowerPoint presentations consist of a number of individual pages or ‘slides’. The ‘slide’ analogy is a reference to the slide projector. These slides may contain text, graphics, sound, movies and other objects that may be arranged freely. The presentation can be printed, displayed live on a computer or navigated through the command of the presenter. Why should I use PowerPoint in this project? This is because the use of PowerPoint in class will capture the students’ attention and create an active classroom environment. Other than that, as a teacher, I can present information or instruction to the whole class and create tutorials, reviews or quizzes for students. For this project, I will use PowerPoint to create a Match and Spell Words game and an interactive presentation for the kindergarten students.

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Computer Speakers Computer speakers or also known as multimedia speakers are speakers

external to a computer that disable the lower fidelity built in speaker. They often have a low power internal amplifier. The standard audio connection is a 3.5 mm (approximately 1/8 inch) stereo phone connectors often colour-coded lime green for computer sounds cards. There are also USB speakers which are powered about 2.5 watts of output power. Computer speakers were introduced by Altec Lansing back in 1990. According to How Stuff Work website, in any sound system, ultimate quality depends on the speakers. A system’s speaker is the component that takes the electronic signal stored on things like CDs, tapes, and DVDs and turns it back into actual sound that we can hear. For this project, I am using computer speaker so that I can get the students’ attention and they can listen attentively when I am going to show them my video clip and my presentation about shapes. It is to project the audio so that all the students can hear it.

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Digital Camera According to Wikipedia, a digital camera is a camera that encodes digital

images and video digitally and stores them for later reproduction. Digital cameras are incorporated into many devices ranging from PDAs and mobile phones. Digital cameras share an optical system using a lens with a variable diaphragm to focus light onto an image pickup device. The diaphragm and shutter admit the correct amount of light to the imager. Digital cameras also record moving video with sound and some can edit pictures taken. By using a digital camera, teachers can take advantage of it in their daily teaching. It is easy to use and students love taking pictures. Using digital cameras in the classroom can help students to learn photography skills, which they can use this skill at, home or anywhere. By working with digital cameras, it is hope that it can improve the students’ computer skills.

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GOM Player GOM Player also known as Gretech Online Movie Player is a media player for

Windows. The Gretech Corporation of South Korea distributes it and the most popular media player in South Korea. Its main features include the ability to play some broken media files and find missing codecs using a codec finder service. I am using this software because it is fast media player and can play any format of video. It is friendly use in my opinion compare to other media player software.

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STRATEGIES IN INTEGRATING EACH TECHNOLOGY TOOLS This project will occur in four stages and in each stages, I will implement

those chosen technology tools and software. Below are the explanation on how I integrating each technology tools and software in each stages. 6.0.1 Stage One In this stage or also known as introduction, I will use computer, LCD projector and some pictures on various shape. In this stage, I will show pictures of various shapes to the students. I will ask them whether they know about those pictures. By using LCD projector and computer, it helps me to present all the pictures to them. Besides, with LCD projector and the big screen, all of the students can see clearly my pictures. It also helps me in preparing my teaching material, as I do not need to use small flashcards anymore. All I need to do is by using computer, I go online, search some pictures relates to my topic like this project, save it in the computer and I can just show to the entire student by using LCD projector. Not only it saves my time, I also can create a different way of teaching for me as a teacher. It makes my teaching interesting and I can get the students attention to participate in the project.

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TECHNOLOGY AND ICT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 2013 6.0.2 Stage Two

For this stage, I will use all the technology tools and software. In this stage, I will show the students one short video clip about shape. After that, I will deliver a brief explanation about shape using PowerPoint. Then, we will sing a song about shape. The rationale for these activities is to reinforce their understanding about shape. With the use of LCD projector, I can show my short video clip, creative presentation and play a song to the entire class. Without this tool, I cannot conduct this stage successfully as it is a vital tool for this project. By showing the video to them, it will make the learning process fun and exciting, as they will enjoy watching the video. The excitement continues when they will sing a song about shape in the classroom. This strengthens their attention and engagement for this project. For computer, I use the computer to search and download video and song about shape. After I downloaded it, I can save it in the computer and play it in the classroom anytime using GOM player. It helps me to keep my audio materials and present it in the class when conducting this project. Then, by using this computer, it helps me to collect all informations I need about shape for this project. As for computer speaker, I am using this so that the students can listen clearly and attentively to the song and conversation in the video clip. It will help the students to grasp information about shape and lead them to a better understanding. Other than that, this will make the project run smoothly without any sound problem. In addition, it will make the students give an active participation during the learning process. Without GOM player, I cannot play my video and my song; it is important software when it comes to play video or song. For me, it is the best media player software, fast and easy to use.

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Stage three The students will play game in this stage. They will play Match and Spell

Words and in this game, they will play in-group and they have to cooperate in order to win the game. Microsoft PowerPoint is helpful software to reinforce learning vocabulary among students. I will create interactive game using this software and there are many ideas on how to create game using PowerPoint when you search
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TECHNOLOGY AND ICT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 2013 online. As we all know, kids love to play game, therefore, when we implemented game in this project, students will be easily engaged to this game due to their willingness to play. Other than that, they will get a positive experience about learning because by playing game, it will encourage students to keep learning and eliminate the idea that learning is boring. When they play Match and Spell Words later, they will be able to understand the consequences of their choices. The students will learn through experience, through trial and error. This game will offer a safety environment to test and learn through mistakes so the information becomes meaningful when they understand its use. In addition, as a teacher, creating games using PowerPoint will add on our values as a teacher. It teaches us to be more creative teacher because there are many ways to create game using Microsoft PowerPoint. Instead of just downloading game via online, we can make our own game as material for our teaching. Therefore, not only it create fun environment in our teaching, games also improve our credibility as a teacher.

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Stage four At this stage in this project, students should be able to produce their own

material. For example, they can write as many objects as they can think for each shape or they can make their own collage using handmade shape. Since this project focusing on technology and ICT, they will be going on a shape scavenger hunt in the classroom and inside the school. They will work in a group and each group need to use digital camera to take pictures. After they are done taking pictures, they will make their own shape book by captioning each shape. For example, the door is rectangular. This activity will reinforce their vocabulary about shape and improve teamwork between the students. It will create a fun learning by get the students moving and working together. Other than that, form this activity, it is hope that they can improve their computer skills as they need to save the pictures in the computer and print it. All this need to do with the adults supervision and they need to help them when they are creating their own shape book.
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FLOW OF THE PROJECT

Stage 1 :Introduction

• Teacher will show some shape pictures to the class using LCD Projector. • Teacher will ask students whether they know and recognize those shapes. • The rationale for this activity is to introduce to the kids about today's learning.

Stage 2 : Introduce Shape

• Teacher will show the students a short video clip about shape. While watching it, students need to response to the video. • After watching it, teacher will explain briefly about shape using PowerPoint presentation • Then, they will sing a song about shape in the classroom. The rationales for these activities are to introduce shapes to them and reinforce their understanding about shape.

Stage 3 : Practice

• Students will play Match and Spell game in a group. • This interactive game is created using PowerPoint by the teacher. • The rationale for this activity is to test their understanding vocabulary about shape.

and

Stage 4 : Produce

• In this stage, they need to produce something. • Therefore, they need to do shape hunt, capture shape related pictures, make their own shape book.

Figure 1 : Flow of the project

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TECHNOLOGY AND ICT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 2013 7.0 CONCLUSIONS

Briefly, it is hope that the implementation of technology and ICT in this project allows a better improving in the kindergarten students’ vocabulary especially in English. Generally, this project also can be applied into other subjects such as Mathematics. Other than that, it is hope that, this project can motivate students to participate more in classroom and allow good interaction with their classmates. Nowadays, know how to use the technology tools and some applications is part of becoming a strategic teacher. We as an educator should not neglected the use of technology and ICT in our teaching, we should be brave and creative to create an interesting and active lesson pelan. Be smart in using technology and ICT as our teaching tools because it will bring advantages to us as a teacher and to our students too.

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