Northville Early Childhood Center is a Reggio based center, meaning educators approach teaching with a project approach.  Projects come from the interests of the children and can last from a few days to a few months.

While keeping technology in mind, I observed children to find what interests they had that would be enhanced by the use of technology.  Students became interested in shapes, specifically, what they could create using shapes.  I saw this as my perfect opportunity to enhance their exploration using technology.

I began using technology simply, by documenting children's work using a digital camera.  Children began exploring shapes and their properties.  I decided to create a total of 5 lessons that would gradually introduce technology to the children.  We began by Tiling with Shapes, Creating Shape Collages, Observing Shapes in Home and school environments, and finally, Creating Shapes on the computer using KidPix. 

My Hopes and Dreams of Technology

• Throughout this process of technology integration, I hoped that the children would find new ways in which they could explore and learn.  I wanted to make technology a comfortable part of their learning environment.

Step 1:  The first step was to give the parents information about our plans of integrating technology into their child's program.  We sent home a Parent Letter which included a survey of the technology that they use and are comfortable with along with a request for their e-mail address. 

Step 2: This step involved the creation of the lesson.  Brainstorming and collaborating the best ways in which technology could be used in our classroom.

Step 3:  The project and lessons were introduced to the children.  We had begun!!

Proof of Success

The children began simply with their shapes.  But after a few days of re-visiting what they knew and what they had already learned, their play and exploration transformed before my eyes.  Their Tiled Patterns went from simple and unorganized to complex and planned.  They carried their findings of tiled shapes into the other activities and their interactions in the Shape Collage became equally complex. 

After a few days of exploration in the classroom, it was time to send the children home with a "Homework Assignment".  Children were to take pictures of the shapes they saw in or around their homes and bring back their findings to share the next week.  Children brought in exquisite pictures of the shapes they found and many had created a book using a scanner and printer at home.
 

Additional Links

• Calendar of Events
• Additional Examples of Student Work
• Unit Plans