In today’s educational landscape, technology in the classroom is more than just an information vs. motivation question. There are exciting possibilities for enhancing assessment especially for young learners. Now is the time for educators to embrace technology’s potential to handle the lighter, time-consuming aspects of assessments. By using tech tools for the initial setup and final processing of assessments, teachers can remain at the forefront of the assessment experience while gathering valuable data for informed decision-making and reporting. This balanced approach allows teachers to focus on meaningful interactions with students while ensuring accurate, data-driven insights. Embracing technology in this way empowers educators to streamline their processes without sacrificing personal connection.
Transforming the Assessment Process
In a kindergarten classroom, technology can transform assessment processes, making them more efficient and effective. Integrating technology into pre-assessment and post-assessment routines allows educators to focus on guiding young learners through the elements of the assessment, ensuring they understand what is expected. Familiarizing students with the assessment process builds confidence and readiness, helping them feel comfortable with the tools and steps involved.
Artwork created by Angelia Buckingham using ChatGPT4o.
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Screen Time: To Limit or Not To Limit
Incorporating technology into the young learner’s academic structure is essential due to advancements in educational tools and methods. Meaningful guided screen time helps children develop comfort and skills while exploring the vast potential of digital tools. This could mean helping the learner identify components of the hardware or software. Thereby increasing their curiosity through extended exposure to the tech. By engaging with technology in ways that promote achievement and deeper understanding, young learners build a foundation for lifelong learning. Limiting screen time without context risks denying them critical opportunities to adapt and excel. Looking at screen time differently could mean addressing the unhealthy usage of technology by young learners as well as any possible benefits.
Incorporating technology into assessments allows teachers to gather specific and actionable data. However, its use requires careful consideration. As educational leaders, teachers should ensure that technology does not replace pedagogically dynamic activities, such as meaningful discussions with students that uncover emotional barriers to learning or the development of critical thinking skills. These essential interactions encourage students to challenge norms and deepen their understanding in ways that technology cannot fully replicate.
Empowering Teachers Through Thoughtful Integration of Assessment Technologies
When incorporating assessment technologies like Lexia Core 5, DreamBox, and Kahoot into my kindergarten classroom, I ensure I clearly communicate my expectations for using these tools. Unlike traditional assessments, I prefer these platforms because they incorporate gamification elements that appeal to young learners, making the sessions lively and engaging. These are items of interest that I also share with our school’s admin team. The tools and interfaces on these platforms are similar to those found on popular video game consoles, minimizing confusion and enabling students to support each other more effectively. These types of technology bring to mind the conversation of physical robots vs. software robots vs. smart assistant technology as discussed in Jeffery Young’s podcast.
In Young’s podcast (2021, 34:35) about robots replacing teachers, Neil Selwyn mentions that teachers need to be brought up to speed in order to provide adequate push back against decision makers who give more consideration to using tech because it is cheaper rather than deciding what tech is needed within that school’s culture. Teachers should be the organizers of processes that may direct the tech to do menial tasks that increase the teachers ability to focus on necessary aspects of education.
Looking Ahead to Enhance Early Learning
As today’s young learners grow, they will become tomorrow’s leaders, responsible for navigating an increasingly digital world. The technology influencing their lives today will only grow more sophisticated and pervasive by the time they reach positions of leadership. This reality places a significant responsibility on educators to thoughtfully integrate technology into early education, ensuring it enhances learning rather than detracts from it.
Selwyn posits the question, “What do we want education to be and what do we think technology is for”? Currently, decisions about the use of educational technology are being made primarily by manufacturers based on their limited perspectives. These discussions often involve school administrators and leadership but exclude teachers. As educators guiding young learners, we must actively engage with educational technology and offer constructive feedback to its developers. Our input is essential to ensure these tools enhance, rather than diminish, the vital role of educators in the classroom. By thoughtfully adopting and shaping technology, we can transform it into a powerful resource that supports educators, provides meaningful data to guide instruction, and creates an enriched learning experience for the next generation.
References
Milton Hershey School. (November, 2017). Using Technology in Elementary School – Milton Hershey School. [video]. https://youtu.be/7oxt9p941co?si=wOXzPwmvuJQ-y6Ag
Young, J. R. (Executive Producer). (2021, October 5). Should robots replace teachers? [Audio podcast]. EdSurge. https://www.edsurge.com/news/2021-10-05-should-robots-replace-teachers
