Work

Tablets as an educational tool for enhancing preschool science

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Information communication technologies (ICT) is increasingly being introduced in the preschool level, but questions have been raised regarding its potential to develop content knowledge or specific skills. This quasi-experimental study looked into the impact that hand-held tablets can have on science learning outcomes in five-year-olds. Four classes from two preschool institutions in Buenos Aires, Argentina, were selected for a six-week intervention. All four classes received training and an inquiry-based science teaching sequence, with one group from each institution also receiving tablets and specific guidance on how to incorporate them into their science lessons. Post-intervention test results showed significant improvements in science outcomes for all students, but no significant difference between the tablet-enhanced classrooms and those taught without ICT. Challenges and opportunities are discussed with regard to including tablets for teaching science at the preschool level.

Source: International Journal of Early Years Education

DOI: 10.1080/09669760.2018.1439368

Authors: Melina Furman, Susan De Angelis, Enzo Dominguez Prost, Inés Taylor

Institutions: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, University of San Andrés, Universidad de Buenos Aires

Language: English

Topic: Education and Technology Integration

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: green

Funder: Intel Corporation