Mar
9
More on Using Technology in a Kindergarten classroom
March 9, 2009 | 5 Comments
I am a Kindergarten teacher and a second year TLITE student. I am interested in how involving students in regular communication between School and Home will increase their interest, engagement and academic achievement at school.
In the fall I had one of my Diverse Learners use Clicker 5 (with an SEA) to build a daily page for his Home and School communication book. The project was successful, but plagued by technological limitations. Most of them being of a financial nature. (old or dying printer, limited access to computers that have the program or the ability to print etc.) I would like to work further on this with Clicker 5 or perhaps a similar program, but have no budget to purchase new programs. 
I’m wondering if anyone has used Clicker 5, Boardmaker or a similar program to have young students make Home and School communication book entries. I would appreciate any thoughts, ideas or suggestions that you may have on the subject.
By Debbie Mitchell, Maple Ridge
5 Comments so far
Hi Debbie,
You obviously are keen to provide a rich learning environment for your students, but there are many reasons why using technology in a kindergarten classroom is the wrong way to go about it. As an elementary teacher myself, and a graduate from the TLITE program at SFU, I would recommend reading, “Crisis in the Kindergarten: Why Children Need to Play in School.” Here’s the link if you’re interested.
http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/sites/allianceforchildhood.org/files/file/kindergarten_report.pdf
I would highly recommend that you at least skim it over.
Good luck to you in your TLITE program.