In order to understand the importance of implementing technology at a young age we must look at human development in general. If we were to take into consideration that humans are able to learn without any written or spoken knowledge, we would understand how young children can learn through technology. In early human evolution we were usually found in small groups of hunters and gatherers. These early hominids did not have any kind of written or spoken language. They communicated using images and body language. Also, they learned through experiences and role modeling, which is probably the most important piece of evidence for this discussion.
Humans at an early age also learn through role modeling. When you were young how did you learn that the square peg didn’t go into the round hole? The repetition of success and praise from successfully completing this task caused your brain to “re-wire” itself. This Re-wiring is known as learning, the making of connections based on experiences. If technology is used in a manner that is appropriate for the age of the student, it can only enhance their learning. Young children are not motivated by a person, albeit usually an energetic one, doing mundane tasks. They need to experience concepts in order for their brain to make sense of them. The example found in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOhb4n4ADbM, is a perfect example of how technology can be used to improve the classroom experience for a young student.
As said by Francis Wardle (http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=302), it is important to keep in mind that students need social interactions and opportunities to relate to other students. Like everything else, technology should be used in moderation to enhance the classroom experience. The overuse of technology will limit the student’s development in other aspects that are essential to their success.
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