Your Kindergartner and Technology
Math
Math concepts taught in class such as shapes and patterns can be extended with the use of technology. Your child may use draw and paint software programs to do a counting activity or create a pattern. He may use a computer template the teacher has created to group objects by attributes, such as size, color and shape. Or he may be asked to extend a pattern, deciding which object comes next. Berthiaume notes: "The class may make a counting book using digital photos, numbers and words."
Science
Your child may visit science Web sites the teacher has bookmarked to further explore what is being taught in class. If the class is learning about farms, students may visit a Web site about farm animals. The class may also visit sites that bring scientific lessons to life, such as a simulation of a tornado. The teacher can also help students ask questions of scientists on the Internet.
Social studies
With email and programs like Epals teachers and students are able to communicate with people from around the world. Virtual field trips may be taken to visit other countries or to step back in time to visit the colonial times. Berthiaume adds: "Kindergarten students may also use Kid Pix to illustrate a story or their learning of a topic such as fire safety."
The arts
Using draw and paint software programs your child may draw pictures that connect to a unit they are learning about in class. A digital camera may be used to take pictures on field trips or in the classroom that can then be uploaded to a slide show. To learn about different artists, the teacher may show art work online. Your child's teacher may publish student's artwork by scanning pictures they've created and make a Web art gallery.
What You Might See in a Well-Equipped Classroom
- Educational software that reinforces reading and math skills
- Interactive story books on a computer
- One computer or more in the classroom with access to the Internet and a printer
- Large-screen display connected to a computer used by the teacher to demonstrate a technology lesson to the whole class (If none is available, the teacher may have smaller groups gather around the computer to introduce a lesson or technology skill.)
- An interactive whiteboard, which is an electronic writing surface that can capture writing electronically
