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GHOU meeting, Lisbon, July 18, 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

Introducing young children to computers

Dr. C.J.Ödman,

Universe Awareness

contact: carolina.odman@unawe.org

GHOU meeting, Lisbon, July 18, 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

Why introduce computers at an early age?

• Computers are everywhere– The more they are understood, the more they are

invisible

• Potential for a divide– Can / can-nots more than have / have-nots

• Advantage of an early introduction– Eagerness of children

– Pre-emption of preconceptions

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GHOU meeting, Lisbon, July 18, 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

How to introduce computers & at what age?

• Before 3 unnecessary– computers don’t help learning of crawling, talking,

walking and making friends.

• Ages 3 - 4– Ready to explore the computer

– Need time

– Do together (kids together or with adults)

– Positive influence on the child’s development:Cause-effect, dexterity, abstraction

GHOU meeting, Lisbon, July 18, 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

How to introduce computers & at what age?

• Ages 5 - 7– Ready to explore with the computer

– Free choices

– Independence in learning pace

– Interface (soft- and hardware) important: can hinderlearning

– Peer learning most efficient but only small groupspossible

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GHOU meeting, Lisbon, July 18, 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

Requirements and recommendations

• Teacher preparation– Know the potential & desirable learning outcomes

• !! Don’t use a new technology to teach intraditional ways !!– Not good: Drill and practice, Instructional activities,

don’t replace thinking by searching!

– Good: Creative activities, Concrete experiences,kids’ control of learning, learning together, teachpowerful ideas

GHOU meeting, Lisbon, July 18, 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

Summary

• Below the age of 3, computers cannot really beconsidered educational

• Kids may take on new technology easily but itdoes not mean they have an easy time learning

• Integrate computer-based learning in a widerlearning context

• Don’t let the computer do the thinking• When the computer is as invisible as the glass

of a window, it can be used to enhance thelearning experience greatly.

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GHOU meeting, Lisbon, July 18, 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

Conclusion

• A healthy introduction to computers at ages 4 -7 is:– Very useful to demystify computers and pre-empt a

skills divide among children

– Probably necessary in today’s world

– Not the solution

• If it has not occurred at a young age, it can becaught up fairly easily

GHOU meeting, Lisbon, July 18, 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

What is UNAWE?

• Expose very young (4 - 10 years),underprivileged children to inspirational aspectsof astronomy

• Broaden young formative minds

• Awaken curiosity in science

• Stimulate world citizenship