Networked Classrooms

Networked classroom, can it work in early childhood?

This is still a question that I ask frequently!  Early childhood is such a different world and using technology with 3, 4, and 5 year old students can be tricky.  First of all, what is a networked classroom? 

A network-based classroom looks like a computer lab, with each student sitting in front of a computer. The computers are connected through a local-area network to the server on the teacher's desk. That part is true of many ordinary computer labs. What turns the lab into a network-based classroom is the use of communications software that supports synchronous, written conversation. Various software packages support this, including CB Utility, Realtime Writer, Daedalus Interchange, and Carnegie Mellon's CECE Talk (Neuwirth, Palmquist, & Gillespie, 1988). 

 

 

Do I think that networked classrooms have both positives and negatives?  Of course, just like everything that involves teaching and technology! Students can be able to participate in classroom discussions and not worry about speaking out loud.  I know that this would help reduce lots of anxiety among those who have trouble speaking in front of a group of others.  Yet, at the same time I feel like that is such a life skill that everyone needs to be able to do.  The big trick with early childhood is that many students are not even ready for this skill.  Also many times early childhood has those developmental delays, which can sometimes put a student at a 12-18 month old level.  How are those students going to participate in a networked discussion?  I am sure that it is possibly, with lots of support and training by both teacher and student. 

How do you get to that point in your early childhood classroom when you are ready to start that transition?  I believe you have to ready to jump in with both feet.  You have to have a child that you feel is ready for the challenge ahead as well.  You need to pick a student that is making lots of success in the classroom.  The teacher needs to be well trained in networked classrooms.  It would be best for that student and teacher to just try a few times with just the two of them before they attempt to join or add any other students.  The content needs to start simple as well.

 

Can you see the difference that a networked classroom can make for those diverse learners?  I just keep thinking of those special education students that benefit from this.  Deaf students could actually communicate with others in the class without having to stand in the front and sign to others who would not understand.  Gifted learners can raise the expectations and not be "bored".  

 

I believe that a networked classroom can be a very positive experience but you would have to figure out how to deal with all the "growing pains" of technology.  Who knows, maybe one day I will even try it in my classroom?