Research has shown that 3 and 4 year old children who use computers with supporting activities that reinforce the major objectives of the programs have significantly greater developmental gains when compared to children with or without computer knowledge, long term memory, manual dexterity, verbal skills, problem solving, abstraction, and conceptual skills. The benefits of providing computers to kindergarten and primary grade children vary depending upon the kind of computer experiences offered and how frequently children have access to computers. The potential gains for kindergarten and primary children are tremendous, including improved motor skills, enhanced mathematical thinking, increased creativity, higher scores on tests of critical thinking and problem solving. In addition, computers enhance children's self concept, and children demonstrate increasing levels of spoken communication and cooperation. Children then share leadership roles more frequently and develop positive attitudes towards learning.
For our Current Events assignment this week, we were asked to come up with our
top three computer internet skills we felt were most important that children should develop.
1. Typing Skills: Mastering the basic typing skills will help students type as fast as they think.
There are many free websites and downloads that actually provide online tutoring or tests for people who want to practice and get better at their typing skills.
EX: www.typingtest.com
2. Computer language, Programs, and Shortcuts: Knowing how to use the function keys on the computer, knowing how to use programs such as the applications in Microsoft Office (Word, PPT, Excel, etc.), and the shortcuts to programs needed for class study.
According to one of our group mates findings during her research, Word Processing is one of the most common activities on a computer! Which if you think about it, is true right! We use word for numerous assignments, reports, class projects, etc.
3. Internet Communication & Safety
We feel that while at school, students must adhere to the school's internet/computer policies and regulations that the administration sets. Computer use while at school should strictly be used for classwork related assignments only. We also feel that many children while at home may be allowed to spend time on the internet with little or no adult supervision and so, as a teacher, we should teach our students about safety while using the internet to help prevent children from the dangers that the world wide web possesses.We must also remind our students that what they post online can affect them and others in various ways and some things may actually not be able to be deleted off the web. Teaching them "netiquette" will keep our children safe because they will know how to properly communicate online to protect themselves, prevent cyber-bullying and privacy concerns.
