Digital Learning in Preschool

The podcast episode discusses the topic of digital learning and its potential impact on preschools. Digital learning refers to using technology to enhance the learning experience. While digital learning is common in high schools, its use in preschools is still a topic of discussion. Some studies suggest that digital media can support students' interests, creativity, and identity. In preschools, technology can be used to facilitate collaborative learning and engage children through visual and auditory stimuli. However, there are concerns about excessive technology use and the potential negative effects on social and emotional development. Access to technology and cost are also factors that affect the implementation of digital learning in preschools. It is important to maintain a balance between digital and other learning methods to provide a well-rounded education. The podcast host encourages listeners to share their opinions on the importance of digital learning in preschools. Hello, everyone. Welcome to my first podcast episode. I'm Allie, your host, a creative writing student entering the world of virtual media and learning as I make mistakes along the way. Today, I'm going to be going into a bit of a different topic, but something I found interesting, and that is the topic of digital learning and how this could affect preschools. Firstly, though, what even is digital learning? The Victorian Department of Education defines digital learning as any type of learning that is facilitated by technology and any instructional practice that is effectively using technology to strengthen and or transform the learning experience. That's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it? In simpler words, digital learning is learning with the use of technology to better the learning experience. Digital learning in high schools is not a new concept. Using laptops or iPads as learning tools are even quite expected. A study completed in 2017 by Davis, Ambrose, and Orand examines the links between digital media, agency, and identity. Their results show the value of using digital media in ways that align with and support students' interests, provides them with opportunities to take on meaningful, creative roles, and connects to their social and cultural context. Within the study, they looked at after-school programs and in the school setting to compare technology usage. They ultimately found that the school environment had more restrictions in place for technology usage, limiting the students' identity and agency. In contrast, the after-school programs were set up in a way that used digital media to encourage students to express their identities and assert their personal agency. The study argued that the increase of expression of identity and agency within after-school programs led to higher levels of engagement, showing a support for more freedom of ways in which high school students can use technology for learning. How does technology in learning settings potentially benefit younger students, though? In 2018, Talon and Falzia released an article compiled of numerous studies regarding the possibility of digital learning in preschool, much to take them awhile. With the previous three industrial revolutions, we have now reached a fourth, first introduced in 2011, which is characterized by a digital revolution. The influence of the digital world as a consequence of this 4.0 industrial revolution also affects the world of education, including childhood education. This has led to more and more discussions around if and how much technology should be used in preschools to facilitate learning. While digital preschools may seem weird to some of you listening, as it did to me when I first heard of them, there are preschools which have been using digital learning for some time. In Singapore, Ingo T. Preschool mentioned the usage of computer devices and tablets in the learning process as early as 2011. In 2017, Friedberg, Toulin and Red Force completed a project with the aim of increasing understanding of the ways technology could be used in preschool to support collaborative learning, in particular in relation to science. Children use tablets to create time-lapse photography and slow motion films in their activity working with water change phases. Cool, right? The researchers reported an increase and focus on looking at scientific meanings in situations where time-lapse was used to stimulate memory. The study also showed that children were able to communicate in a more advanced way about the phenomenon than they would be able to otherwise. Another aspect which makes digital learning in preschools a promising prospect is related to media theory. According to media theory, the more senses that are stimulated, the easier it will be for children to understand the material. Digital media may have the ability to engage more children in learning activities through a combination of things such as moving views, interesting sounds and colours. Now, all of this sounds great, right? So why aren't all preschools using digital learning? While there are many potential benefits to going to digital learning in preschools, while there are many potential benefits of digital learning in preschools, there are also drawbacks as well. One main concern many have with digital learning in preschools, and honestly one I had as well when I first heard about the use of digital devices in preschools, is that children will be using technology too much and other methods too little. Today, it is not uncommon to see young children owning phones or playing on tablets. Talon and Falzia note that parents may also model poor behaviour around their children, with they themselves using digital devices more often than previous generations of parents, and even in settings where they are interacting with others face-to-face. This can cause children to potentially imitate their parents' behaviour. Due to this, there is an importance of maintaining balance in digital preschools so that children's emotional and social development is not negatively impacted by an overuse of technology in place of other activities. Another potential negative that comes with implementing digital preschools is access to technology. Digital resources can be costly, so many preschools may choose to save money through using other education tools, while some may not be able to afford digital devices in the first place. This could create a gap with some preschools having access to digital learning before primary school, and others not. I think digital learning, like other methods, deserves its place in preschool education, though like with all methods there remains an importance to create balance. It is important for young children to learn in a variety of ways, and using a variety of tools, without relying too heavily on one or the other. Using technology in this way also broadens children's understanding of what they can do with it. I would love to hear what you guys all think. Do you think digital learning in preschools is as important as other methods of learning? This is a friendly space, so feel free to tag me at alibro409 on Instagram with your opinions.