Learn how technology can support and enhance project-based learning (PBL) in early childhood, and explore some examples and tips on how to use technology for PBL.

1) Interactive educational apps and games: Technology can provide interactive and engaging educational apps and games that allow young children to explore and learn through hands-on activities, simulations, and problem-solving tasks. 2) Digital storytelling tools: Technology can enable young children to create their own digital stories, videos, and presentations, allowing them to express their creativity and share their learning experiences with others. 3) Virtual field trips: Technology can provide virtual field trip experiences that allow young children to explore different places, cultures, and environments without leaving the classroom, enhancing their understanding of the world around them.

At a young age the key is for technology to support, but human connection & engagement to lead. Children model and learn powerfully from us, socially together. So be careful to preserve and build on this foundation, while using technology to augment and enhance the learning scope and engagement. Technology should be a tool, led by us - resisting the temptation to leave the child to learn alone in commune with the machine. Which if excessive can impact socialisation and life skills at this critical age.

How can technology promote project-based learning in early childhood?

Project-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach that engages students in authentic, meaningful, and collaborative tasks that address real-world problems or questions. PBL can foster creativity, critical thinking, communication, and social skills in early childhood, as well as enhance motivation and interest in learning. Technology can play a vital role in supporting and enhancing PBL in various ways, such as providing access to information, tools, and resources; facilitating communication and collaboration; enabling documentation and reflection; and showcasing and sharing products and processes. In this article, we will explore some examples and tips on how to use technology to promote PBL in early childhood.

1 Benefits of PBL

PBL can offer many benefits for young learners, especially in the current context of rapid changes and challenges in the world. PBL can help students develop 21st century skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, which are essential for lifelong learning and success. PBL can also increase students' motivation and interest in learning, as they are given more autonomy, choice, and voice in their learning process. PBL can also foster students' curiosity, inquiry, and exploration, as they are exposed to real-world problems or questions that require them to investigate, research, and solve. PBL can also support students' social and emotional development, as they learn to work with others, respect diverse perspectives, and express their feelings and opinions.

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Leili Nourikhah

IELTS tutor - IELTS Speaking - IELTS Writing - IELTS Reading - IELTS Listening - I can walk you through IELTS - Conversation Courses - author of "IELTS Speaking Booster"
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1) Interactive educational apps and games: Technology can provide interactive and engaging educational apps and games that allow young children to explore and learn through hands-on activities, simulations, and problem-solving tasks. 2) Digital storytelling tools: Technology can enable young children to create their own digital stories, videos, and presentations, allowing them to express their creativity and share their learning experiences with others. 3) Virtual field trips: Technology can provide virtual field trip experiences that allow young children to explore different places, cultures, and environments without leaving the classroom, enhancing their understanding of the world around them.

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Marble Nyahela

Passionate Teacher of English | IELTS | ESL | Skilled in Personalized Learning and Creative Lesson Planning | Helping Students Achieve Fluency and Confidence in English
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Project-based learning is like play with a purpose. It helps children explore what they're interested in, making learning exciting. They learn problem-solving by figuring things out during projects. Parents and teachers can encourage this by picking topics the child likes, asking questions, and letting them take the lead. It's all about making learning feel like a fun adventure.

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2 Technology for PBL

Technology can be a powerful tool to support and enhance PBL in early childhood, as it can provide access to information, tools, and resources that can enrich students' learning experiences. Technology can also facilitate communication and collaboration among students, teachers, and other stakeholders, such as parents, experts, or community members. Technology can also enable students to document and reflect on their learning process, as well as showcase and share their products and processes with authentic audiences. Technology can also offer opportunities for differentiation, personalization, and feedback, as well as stimulate students' creativity and innovation.

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3 Examples of PBL with Technology

Technology can be used in a variety of ways to promote PBL in early childhood, depending on the project's topic, goal, and context. For instance, students could use digital cameras, tablets, or smartphones to take photos or videos of plants and animals in their local environment, and then use apps or websites to identify, classify, and compare them. They could also use online surveys or polls to collect data on their classmates' preferences, habits, or opinions. Spreadsheet or graphing software could be used to analyze and visualize the data. Additionally, students could use online platforms or tools such as blogs, podcasts, or videos to create and share stories, poems, or songs. Online forums or social media could be used to interact with other students or audiences to receive feedback and comments. Ultimately, this feedback would help them revise and improve their work.

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Colette Bernon-L

Artist and Art teacher
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On the other hand, how were early childhood learners coping with data collection before ? How about using dried flowers, leaves and drawings (printed images) as initial point then building on them instead of spending time on the screen? How about leaving the smaller ones far from technology to help them acquire the needful in terms of self-confidence, creativity and contact with their environment, only to name a few.?

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Dilbar Guliyeva

PYP Coordinator/ PYP English Teacher/ ESL/ EAL Teacher/ MYP Personal Project Supervisor/ Action Coordinator
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My students like to work on Book Creator as a tool for creating digital stories or non-fiction books. After learning about body systems and their functions, students can choose one body system they are most interested in and make a book about it using images, videos, and voice recordings. Another example is making a short film/video on iMovie (grades four and up). We learned to describe our school, and the best fit was filming a school tour in the role of an admission officer.

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4 Tips for PBL with Technology

To successfully implement PBL with technology in early childhood, there are some tips and best practices to consider. Planning ahead and aligning the project with the curriculum, standards, and objectives is essential. You should also define the driving question, scope, duration, and assessment criteria of the project. Additionally, it is important to choose the appropriate technology tools and resources that match the project's purpose and students' needs and abilities. Furthermore, scaffolding and supporting students' learning process and skills development is key. This includes providing clear instructions, expectations, and guidelines for using technology as well as modeling and demonstrating how to use it effectively and responsibly. It is also important to monitor and facilitate students' progress and challenges while providing feedback and encouragement along the way. Moreover, student autonomy, choice, and voice should be encouraged by allowing them to choose their own topics, questions, or products based on their interests, passions, or strengths. Furthermore, students should be encouraged to express their opinions, ideas, or feelings while respecting their diversity and creativity. Lastly, it is important to involve students in self-assessment and peer-assessment as well as helping them reflect on their learning outcomes and experiences.

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Dilbar Guliyeva

PYP Coordinator/ PYP English Teacher/ ESL/ EAL Teacher/ MYP Personal Project Supervisor/ Action Coordinator
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Giving students a heads-up regarding the purpose of assessment and the tools they can choose from develops student agency and boosts their self-confidence afterward. Once they are clear about what is expected from them, they will make an informed choice of the technology tool to use for the particular project. It might vary from what the teacher has planned for them to use. As an expert, teachers can oversee whether students will successfully use the chosen tool or suggest alternatives.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ivan McAdam O'Connell 🌏

From bank COO - to helping people & businesses unlock new opportunities
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At a young age the key is for technology to support, but human connection & engagement to lead. Children model and learn powerfully from us, socially together. So be careful to preserve and build on this foundation, while using technology to augment and enhance the learning scope and engagement. Technology should be a tool, led by us - resisting the temptation to leave the child to learn alone in commune with the machine. Which if excessive can impact socialisation and life skills at this critical age.

Like

How can technology promote project-based learning in early childhood?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Benefits of PBL

2 Technology for PBL

3 Examples of PBL with Technology

4 Tips for PBL with Technology

5 Here’s what else to consider

Teaching

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How can technology promote project-based learning in early childhood?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Benefits of PBL

2 Technology for PBL

3 Examples of PBL with Technology

4 Tips for PBL with Technology

5 Here’s what else to consider

Teaching

Rate this article

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