Technology Environment

A child's ability to participate in literacy and technology activities depends on how accessible and well-designed the environment is. Materials should be easily accessible to all children. For some children, accessibility plays a critical role in literacy development. With the proper environment, children can be active participants in their own learning. Special considerations must be made when designing the technology center.

Setting Up the Physical Environment

Adjustable computer table

- Height adjustment: can be raised or lowered easily for child in small chair or child in wheelchair so that monitor is at the child's eye level

- Surface area consideration: has large enough surface for input device, such as IntelliKeys, and printer or other peripheral

- Collaboration encouragement: can fit at least two children comfortably at the table

Child-sized chairs

Positioning materials for children

CD-ROM holders to make disks accessible to children

Needed Equipment for the Technology Center

Although technology is constantly changing, there are certain pieces of equipment that are essential to a developmentally appropriate and literacy-enriching technology center.

Tech Center Equipment Considerations

Computer System with color monitor
Specifications to consider: amount of RAM, hard drive space, speed of computer processor, and operating system
Color printer: for printing books made by children on the computer
Scanner: to scan artwork or photographs to put into authoring programs
Digital camera: to take pictures for books children make on computer; pictures to use with labels in the environment
Input device mouse and keyboard
Adaptive input devices switches, touch screen, IntelliKeys
Microphone for recording children's voices to use in software
Headphones to assist children in hearing what is on the computer

Off-Computer Materials

The use of off-computer materials helps to reinforce concepts learned through software applications. These materials can be used with other activities in the center or home. Oftentimes with storybook software this involves reading the same type of book in the reading center. Since children at this age benefit from manipulation of books and figures related to story characters, off-computer materials can be designed to coordinate with the content presented on the computer.

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Center's Computer Center Checklist

The Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood has developed a 10-item checklist for assessing the computer center in the preschool classroom.

Your Preschool Classroom Computer Center: How Does It Measure Up?

Classroom Computer Center Checklist
1. Is your classroom computer accessible to all children?

[Graphic of child using adaptive equipment at computer ]

Adaptations can make the computer accessible so that all children can participate equally in technology activities. A variety of alternative input devices can help children with physical disabilities be successful and gain independence as they use the computer.

Adaptive devices include:

Switches and Switch Interface
IntelliKeys
Discover:Kenx
- Discover:Switch
- Discover:Board
- Key Largo
TouchWindow or touch screen

Classroom Computer Center Checklist
2. Is your computer center a safe place for children to learn? Considerations for the physical location of the computer in your room:

Place the computer against a wall or near an outlet.
Use Velcro fasteners to keep cords together and out of childen's view.
Secure wires with tape if they need to stretch across part of the room.
Place the computer in a low traffic area.
Monitor and input devices should be placed in secure positions with extra cords hidden from children's view.

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Classroom Computer Center
3. Are multiple child-size chairs available for the children at the computer center? [Graphic of two or three children at the computer ]

To encourage social interaction among children, have at least two child-size chairs at the computer.
Chairs should be at an appropriate height so that children's feet touch the floor while they are seated at the computer.

Classroom Computer Center
4. Is the computer monitor placed at a child's eye level? [Graphic of a child at computer center ]

Place the computer on either a low table, preferably an adjustable one, or a computer cart which can be moved for small group activities.
Position the monitor on the main surface of the table or cart.
Adjust the height and angle of the monitor so that it is between 18 and 26 inches from the child's eyes.
Adjust lighting and/or close window shades or blinds to omit glare on screen.

Classroom Computer Center
5. Are children allowed to use the computer independently? [Graphic of child putting CD into computer ]

Teach children rules for responsible behavior in the computer center.
Teach children how to handle CD-ROMs, removing them from their cases, inserting them in the drive and closing the drive door.
Use KidDesk as a desktop protection program so that children can select the software program they want.

Classroom Computer Center
6. Do children use a sign up sheet or book to manage turntaking?

[Graphic of child signing up at computer center or sign up sheet next to computer center]

Encourage children to manage their own turntaking by providing a sheet or book for signing up for the computer.

[insert Emergent Literacy details on creating and using a sign up sheet].

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Classroom Computer Center
7. Is turn-taking managed in ways other than through the use of a timer?

Provide quality time for creating and exploring at the computer.
Encourage children to manage their own turntaking.
Allow children freedom to interact with others at the computer.

The Center for Best Practices does not encourage the use of a timer due to the restrictions that it places on children's creativity at the computer. Children feel rushed and anxious when a timer is used. Use of a timer also encourages aggressive behaviors in children who are waiting for their turn. A timer is usually not used in other centers, therefore the computer center should be treated in the same way.

Classroom Computer Center
8. Are props (toys, games, books) related to the software provided at or near the computer center?

[Graphic of props at computer center]

Extend children's learning at the computer center by providing appropriate props.
Relate props to selected software with content related to classroom projects and topics.
A variety of printer products are available which will help in making off-computer materials which relate to software. Most of these products are available locally at department stores, craft stores, or fabric stores, or online.
Examples of printer products: printer fabric sheets, iron-on transfers, magnet kits, window decals, bumper stickers, specialty printer papers in multiple colors, button maker.

Printer Fabric Sheets

Printer fabric sheets are specialty fabric which can be run through a desktop printer. After running through the printer, the fabric can be sew onto pillows, shirts, tote bags, aprons, or other items.

Available at fabric stores or at the Fons and Porter Quilt Supply website, http://www.fonsandporter.com/storefront/fabricsheets.html

Computer Quilting Made Easy website,
http://softexpressions.com/software/notions/jtcolorf.htm

Iron-on Transfers

Iron-on printer sheets are specialty fabric which is run through a printer. Then, it is placed on a material item and heat adhered through use of a dry iron.

Ginger's Needlework and Quilting
http://www.quiltknit.com/memories/

Other Printer Products

Magnet Kits [Graphic of Green Eggs and Ham magnets]

Print and Stick Project Paper- Window Decals

Bumper Stickers

Crayola Printer Papers - Stardust Pattern, Classic Colors, Pastel Colors

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Classroom Computer Center
9. Are classroom CD-ROMs easy for children to access?

Encourage children to make their own decisions about software from designated titles by making it easy for them to access CD-ROMs.
Keep CD-ROM storage at child's eye level.
Store CD-ROMs in inviting holders that hang close to computer. These can be purchased or homemade. Large envelopes, manila folders, or heavy paper can be made into pockets and laminated.
Provide clues with each title which help the child know which one it is
Pictures from software boxes can be taped to software holder
Pictures from software screens can be captured, reduced, and printed to fit on software holder.

[Graphic of examples of software holders or storage - ECCTS and Lit Demo]

Classroom Computer Center
10. Do you use KidDesk as a desktop management program?

Center for Best Practices has seen many benefits from using KidDesk with children. KidDesk is a software program that allows children to independently access software on the computer. Besides the many literacy benefits, children also benefit from independent computer use with KidDesk.

Encourages children to manage their own time and turntaking at the computer.
Gives children freedom to make their own software choices.
Encourages the development of emergent literacy skills.

ITLC Online -- -- http://www.wiu.edu/itlc/