Young Children and Computers
Twenty years after computers started appearing on desktops in classrooms across the country, educators are still engaging in discourse about the positive and/or negative effects of computer use amongst young children. There are many who feel that the use of computers at such an early age will affect the social development of young children. Campbell and Schwartz (1986) asked the questions that are still plaguing us to this day: “Will the microcomputer disrupt the environmental balance in the preschool classroom? Will it diminish the young child’s involvement with other materials and learning tools? Does the presence of a microcomputer influence social participation patterns in the preschool classroom?” (p. 47). According to Lieberman (1986), a major issue in the research of computer usage among young children is the report that young children, especially boys, report “highly positive attitudes toward computers” (p. 81). However Healy (1998) has concerns that young children are suffering due to the heavy use and dependence upon computers at such a young age: “Time spent with computers in the early years not only subtracts from important developmental tasks but may also entrench bad learning habits, leading to poor motivation and even symptoms of learning disability” (p. 205).
My colleagues will debate the pros and cons of computer usage and preschool and elementary school age students. They will provide well researched information that will provide the audience fodder to make conclusions that will affect their beliefs about technology in the classroom as well as in their own homes. We look forward to the conversation initiated by our debate.
References
Campbell, P.F. & Schwartz, S.S. (1986). Microcomputers in the preschool: Children, parents, and teachers. In P.F. Campbell & G.G. Fein (Eds.), Young
children and microcomputers,
(pp. 45-59).
Healy, J.M. (1998). Failure to connect: How
computers affect our children’s minds-for better and worse.
Lieberman, D. (1985). Research on children and
microcomputers: A review of utilization and effects studies. In M.
Chen &
microcomputers: Research on the
newest medium, (pp. 59-83).