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Digital Tools for Learning, Creating, and Thinking: Developmentally Appropriate Strategies for Early Childhood Educators

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Victoria B. Fantozzi

About the Book

Children are growing up with technologies as part of their daily lives at home and in school. For educators, it is important to understand how to use technologies to promote learning in developmentally appropriate ways. This book helps you make thoughtful, informed decisions that will enhance what you are already doing to support children’s learning. Learn how to
 
  • Use technologies in ways that build on, not detract from, the learning children gain through play
  • Introduce technologies using a gradual release of responsibility model
  • Foster children’s storytelling, reflection, early coding skills, and more
  • Use technologies to enrich your partnerships with families and invite them into the classroom community
  • Work with colleagues to develop a digital culture that supports the program’s goals
With the guidance in this book, you’ll be able to evaluate technologies and understand how to put them to their best uses in your program.

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
    • Guidance for Intentional Decision Making Around Technologies
    • Guiding Principles in this Book
    • What’s in this Book?
    • What’s Not in this Book
  • Part 1: Setting a Foundation for Technologies in the Classroom
  • Part 2: Developmentally Appropriate Technology Use
    • Chapter 3: Mindsets and Guidelines for Using Technologies
      • A Play Mindset
      • Supporting Child Creators
      • Guidelines
      • Next Steps
      • Making Intentional Choices: “Let’s Be Troubleshooters”
    • Chapter 4: Teaching with Technologies
      • Gradual Release of Responsibility Model
      • Including All Children
      • Including All Voices
      • Next Steps
      • Making Intentional Choices: What Type of Technology-Related Lesson Do the Children Need?
    • Chapter 5: Creating and Collaborating with Technologies
      • View and Review
      • Storytelling
      • Coding
      • Assessment
      • Next Steps
      • Making Intentional Choices: Many Pathways for Creating
    • Chapter 6: A Connected Classroom
      • Creating a Connected Classroom
      • Empowering Children
      • Empowering Families
      • Connecting to All Educators
      • Bridging the Digital Divide
      • Next Steps
      • Making Intentional Choices: Privacy Considerations
    • Chapter 7: Planning for Intentional Technologies Integration
      • Setting a Purpose
      • Setting Goals
      • Identifying Key Teaching Partners
      • Teachable Moments
      • Next Steps
      • Making Intentional Choices: Where to Start
  • Appendix A: Student Sharing Checklist
  • Appendix B: Weekly Planning Sheet
  • References
  • Resources
  • Index
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author

Book Details

Product Code: 1159
ISBN: 978-1-952331-04-6
Publish Date: 2022
Citation (in Chicago 17th ed. style): 
Fantozzi, V.B. 2022. Digital Tools for Learning, Creating, and Thinking: Developmentally Appropriate Strategies for Early Childhood Educators. Washington, DC: NAEYC. 

Related Resources

Articles 

“Harnessing Potential: Integrating Technology and Media in Preschool” - Rachel Konerman, Jennifer Horwitz, Sarah Clancy, and Carmen Rietta share four research-supported practices involving technology and media, along with a look at each practice in action. (Teaching Young Children, Winter 2022)
 
“10X: Using Technology to Engage Families” - In this article, Ana Blagojevic offers tips for using technology to strengthen home–school relationships and support children’s learning. (Teaching Young Children, August 2016)
 

Blogs

“Four Ways to Use Tablets to Foster Early Math Learning” - Explore ways one digital tool can support children’s learning in a key content area in this blog post by Jessica Mercer Young and Ashley Lewis Presser. 
Audience: Student (higher education), Teacher
Age: Early Primary, Kindergarten, Preschool
Topics: Other Topics, Technology and Media, Digital Media
Victoria B. Fantozzi

Victoria B. Fantozzi, PhD, is a professor of early childhood education at Manhattanville College. Victoria partners with teachers to research developmentally appropriate digital literacy practices. Her book Digital Tools for Learning, Creating, and Thinking was published by NAEYC in 2022.

Victoria B. Fantozzi

Reviews

Finally, a resource that supports practitioners with integrating technology appropriately into the classroom to support student learning goals and connection with families. Victoria uses her classroom experience to provide teachers with strategies that encourage creativity, collaboration, and communication. A great read from start to finish.

—Kimberly Buenger, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Olathe School District

The author is committed to the dialogue around technology, play, and young learners, revealing that there is indeed more to the conversation. With a detailed view that is theoretically grounded and quite practical, the book draws on experiences that mirror many an educator’s classroom. It probes deeply into educators’ thoughts, urging us to think about how to harness the power of technology as a tool to create the highest quality learning opportunities for a new generation of children. This is a gem of a resource for understanding how to navigate this constantly evolving debate.

—Ihuoma Iheukwumere, Site Director, South of Market Child Care

Technology is rapidly changing the teaching world for learners of all ages. This book provides a foundation for teachers to incorporate technology into their teaching and assessments daily. It supports teachers in making good choices about using technology not just as a device but as a tool that can enhance learning at multiple entry levels in the curriculum. 

—April Grundman, Early Childhood Educator and Professor 

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