Is your child ready for the digital classroom?
RANDBURG – It is important that parents prepare their children for the digital classrooms.
The use of technology in education is a given – not a debate anymore.
Using tablets instead of bulky, cumbersome textbooks and a smart interactive board to engage pupils, is not just an appealing form of learning to pupils, it makes sense in our technological world.
While some remain skeptical about using it in early childhood education, fearing children may miss out on key experiences, advances in software encourage an interactive and stimulating learning experience. Many of the classrooms in our primary schools have already been transformed. You will not find the old blackboard or the clouds of chalk dust that settle on almost every surface, but rather smartboards and tablets. Since the revolution has already begun, in some cases with parents not even realising it, it is important that parents ensure that they keep abreast of the latest developments in their children’s education.
Most children have already experienced technology in their homes. Schools have realised that extending this experience in the classroom will support the development of these skills – skills that are essential in a tech-savvy world. As a learning tool, technology is found to be both effective and meaningful in imparting content and teaching and learning skills. Principal of Sharonlea Primary, Carla Hercules said,” Children of today are very techno savvy, and as a result, we have to engage with them at this level and as teachers we become more relevant to this new generation of pupils.”
Pre-primary schools are also embracing technology as a learning and teaching tool. Exploring technology in an open playful and supportive environment will allow for the pupils to develop confidence and ability in their usage of the tool. ” In 2016, we will be opening our doors to five Grade R classes and we also plan on introducing smartboards in these classes,” added Hercules.
Parents should begin to introduce their children to educational apps to prepare them for digital classrooms. It is important, however, to supervise this experience.
A few popular apps are:
Dr Seuss’s ABCs by Oceanhouse Media: Learn ABCs with Dr Seuss in an interactive book app for young readers. You can personalise the story with your own narrative. Compatible on the following platforms: iPad and iPhone.
GoldieBlox and the Movie Machine: Children will learn the basics of animation and create their own animated GIFs (Graphic Interchange Format). Compatible on the following platforms: iPad and iPhone.
The Magic School Bus: Oceans by Scholastic Ms Frizzle and students embark on an aquatic journey in this interactive storybook which features science, facts, pictures, games and movies. Compatible on iPad only.
