| Discussion: | Traffic Jam Applet tool |
| Topic: | Computer Tools at PreK2 |
| Related Item: | http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/10/ |
| Post a new topic to the Traffic Jam Applet tool Discussion discussion |
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| Subject: | RE: Computer Tools at PreK2 |
| Author: | Doug |
| Date: | Aug 26 2004 |
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I would like to respond to the idea that computer tools are not appropriate. I
have been doing and reviewing research on this, and engaging in projects in real
classrooms, and believe that both research and the wisdom of expert practice are
consistent: Computer tools are appropriate if used well, and, moreover, are
*superior* to paper and even physical manipulatives in many cases.
Bad educational practice can be done with any medium. However, good practice is
often better with (high-quality) computer tools. Why? It depends how much you
really want to read!
Clements, D. H., & McMillen, S. (1996). Rethinking “concrete” manipulatives.
Teaching Children Mathematics, 2(5), 270-279.
Clements, D. H. (1999). ‘Concrete’ manipulatives, concrete ideas. Contemporary
Issues in Early Childhood, 1(1), 45-60.
You can *see* this at http://www.triangle.co.uk/ciec/
Or, you can just ask me to e-mail you a copy of this one.
A final one is as follows:
Clements, D. H., & Sarama, J. (2003). Strip mining for gold: Research and policy
in educational technology—A response to “Fool’s Gold”. Educational Technology
Review, 11(1).
Retrieve from http://www.aace.org/pubs/etr/issue4/clements.cfm.
Basically, the articles make the case that, although misuse *is* a problem,
computer environments can make real contributions. I'm happy, as I've said, to
list them here, send you the articles, or the like.
Doug Clements
On Aug 26 2004, Bethany wrote:
> I have some concern, and I've heard it voiced by other teachers who
> teach at this level too, that using computer tools to explore
> mathematics is really NOT appropriate.
I'd like to know how
> others feel about this topic. Are there appropriate uses for
> computers at this level that truly benefit student learning as
> opposed to other methods of teaching? If so, I would love to know
> what you've found useful. If not, I'd like to hear about those
> experiences as well.
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