Using the Latest Technology in Early Childhood

"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow." - John Dewey

NAEYC Technology Position Statement

Transforming Education with Technology

     Gail Laubenthal, Educational Consultant                                         laubenthalladybugs.pbworks.com

             glaubent@yahoo.com

      Robbie Polan, NBCT, AISD Early Childhood Childcare Liaison       kinderpandas.pbworks.com

              rpolan@austinisd.org

Gail participated in BLOCKS (Base Line Objectives for Children's Knowledge and Skills) for Science. BLOCKS was a 3 year project funded through a grant to the University of Texas Center for Science and Mathematics Education from the National Science Foundation. The first years focus was on physical science. The children explored force and motion and properties of matter and change. The 2nd years focus was on life science, with the children experiencing growth and change in both plants and animals. Last years focus was on earth science. 25 prekindergarten teachers in the Austin area are participating in this research based project. Guidance and support comes from the following mentors: Dr. Mary Hobbs, Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood, Dr. Aida Alanis, Dr. Brian Anderson, and Dr. Bob Williams.

TechnoScientists: Techno 5: The Process - Engaging, Empowering, Enriching, Enabling

TechnoScientists was a project that provided hands-on opportunities to learn a variety of skills, strategies, and best practices that improved teaching and learning for both teachers and students.  The goals were to promote essential 21st century skills and NETS while enhancing effective technology integration in the classroom.  TechnoScientists had over 100 teachers actively participating in Austin ISD.  Robbie and Gail were participants throughout the years and can truly say that theTechnoScientist project helped them grow as a teacher and as a teacher trainer.  It was the brainchild of Vanessa Jones (vanessa. jones@austinisd. org), AISD technology trainer and technology support for the district.