Date of Award
1990
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Advisor
Marie Cormier
Committee Member
June Delano
Keywords
cognitive development, computer uses in education, concept formation, perceptual development, Piagetian theory, preschool education, primary education, problem solving, programming, skill development, teach education
Abstract
This practicum was designed to solve a problem related to the provision of a computer training component for students enrolled in an early childhood education teacher training program. Increasing pressures on graduates of the training program to integrate computers and educational software into programs for young children, as well as the students' interest in developing computer skills specifically related to early childhood education, made it necessary to design a computer training module which could be integrated into existing classroom hours in a tightly scheduled training program.
The writer surveyed the students in the training program in order to determine previous experience with computers, skill levels, and goals with respect to computer training. The needs of employers and graduates of the program were also examined. Institutional support for time-tabling and funding for the purchase of software and hardware for the training module were obtained. Three core courses taught by the writer were modified to accommodate a module of computer training within the time constraints and terminal performance objectives of each course. The writer designed a module of computer training in which module, the study assignments and projects the computer laboratory component was included in one of the courses to facilitate hands-on experience and the evaluation of education software. The focus of the module was on the selection and integration of developmentally appropriate software into the regular curriculum for younger children in order to promote children's progress in the affective, cognitive, and physical domains.
The results of the practicum were positive. Student performance on the objectives of the module were tested and students achieved the prescribed standard. Students evaluated the module and made specific suggestions for its expansion and elaboration. Students expressed their satisfaction at having acquired a sufficient level of skills to be able to use computers and additional developmental tools to enhance play and learning within the preschool and kindergarten class.