Nowadays, kids as young as six and seven years old have experience with some form of technology. Although some might consider this too early for children to start using technology, I think it's necessary. Today, technology skills are essential to do some of the most basic tasks in life. I think sometimes we forget this fact. We use some form of technology everyday. Everything from using the ATM to using self-checkout at the department store. Sometimes I witness people struggle with these technologies because many of them did have exposure to technology at a young age. This is one of the main reasons that I support the integration of technology in schools. Children should be introduced to technology as young as possible to ensure they have the basic technological skills to do simple tasks like using self-checkout at their local grocery store or using a search engine to browse the library's catalog. One article I read called "Implementing Gaming and Technology in Schools" by Khalida Mashriqi states, "I have taught my kindergarten students to go on the laptops and read on starfall.com, a free public service website designed to use phonics to teach young children to read." (Mashriqi, 2011) Technology in this classroom has only reinforced the lessons that students have learned on paper. Integrating technology into the classroom only add to the experience of learning for students.It allows them to enjoy learning in more interactive and engaging manners.
Mashriqi,
K. (2011). Implementing Technology and
Gaming Lessons in a School Library. Knowledge Quest, 40(1), 24-28. Retrieved from
http://web.ebscohost.com.queens.ezproxy.cuny.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=57838c5c-8d51-4bdb-99b0-d94442b8b53b%40sessionmgr13&vid=4&hid=106
I find this post to be very insightful about youth and technology. But in my opinion I believe that children should not be introduced to technology until they are at an adolescent age to where they understand the advantages and disadvantages of technology usage.
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