I.

Observation 4:
Technology
II.

Grade:
Pre-K

III.

Students:
17 boys, 12 girls

IV. Setting:
Mrs. Conniffs Pre-K Class at St. Matthias Catholic School
Multi-age (4-5 years old ) classroom, 29 students, 1 head teacher, 2 teachers aides.
V.

Pre-Observation:
The purpose of this observation was to see how technology was incorporated within the
classroom and how it benefits the students. I read the article, Using Technology
Appropriately in the Preschool Classroom written by Ann S. Epstein to help make my
decisions in this observation.

VI.

Data:
The main source of technology used in the preschool classroom is the Smartboard. The
Smartboard is used mainly for everything within the classroom. Beginning from the timer
to morning circle songs to the letter of the week. The smart board helps the children learn
certain educational knowledge in a way that a teacher with just a whiteboard was not able
to provide. The children can visualize certain objects that relate with the specific letter of
the week. For instance, when we spoke about the letter N, there is a song on youtube for
it, in which, all the basic words, such as: night, nap, neighbor, neck, need, nest, necklace,
nurse, nuts, noodles, nose, were shown to the students making sure they can associate
those terms with the letter N. The children were very interested and were able to answer
right away. However, when I read a book about the letter S, many of them were rolling
around on the rug and did not understand when I asked them to show me the certain
objects that start with the letter S on the picture page. Not only does the smart board help
with letters and numbers, but it also helps wind down the children. Exercise is very
important and especially when children spend majority of their time inside, they need to
let their energy out somehow. 15 minutes outside before lunch is a good way to release
energy, but the smart board helps exert energy by letting them dance to certain songs or
practice Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. It is fun, yet educational because they are
learning the names of their body parts. The children look forward to certain songs and
videos because that keeps them entertained and focused.

VII.

Analysis:

I feel that the teachers are doing a great job incorporating the smart board into the class. It
helps with each subject and the children enjoy it. However, an excess of anything is not
okay. So I feel that their level of moderate use is good. Reading aloud instead of watching
a movie about the topic is better in certain cases. There needs to be a balance, which will
help both the students and teachers.
VIII. Recommendations:
I believe that many good factors come out of using technology within the classroom. The
author of the article, Using Technology Appropriately in the Preschool Classroom
states, At the same time, AAP recognizes that high- quality interactive media can have
educational benefits for children above age two, improving social skills, language skills,
and even school readiness (Epstein). I agree with this quote because children are like
sponges who absorb everything and are able to learn information easily when young. If a
child is being shown movies in Spanish or French or even English, those languages might
become very easy for that child to learn. Language skills seem hard to attain, but
technology is making it easier with certain apps and videos. Children learn social skills
by mimicking who certain actors and actresses act. Whether it be a family show or a
show about friends, children know how to act with who and will try it out in real life. It
depends what they watch that makes the technology beneficial or not.
IX.

Post Observation:
I really enjoyed working on this observation because I am very opinionated about this
topic. I see both sides of technology playing a negative and positive role in a classroom.
However, I feel again that if used moderately, technology can make life much simpler for
both teacher and students.

X.

Citations:
Epstein, A. S. (n.d.). Using Technology Appropriately in the Preschool Classroom.
Retrieved December 5, 2016, from
http://www.highscope.org/file/NewsandInformation/Extensions/ExtVol28No1_hi
ghres.pdf