What is it?
Digital technology approaches employ computer or digital technologies to support children’s development and learning within early years settings. This includes approaches where:
- children use technology independently, either as part of their planned experiences or as part of teaching activities such as instructional games;
- technology, such as interactive whiteboards or digital cameras, is used by early years professionals to support their interactions with children; and
- technology is used to support the professional development of early years practitioners.
How effective is it?
Overall, studies investigating the use of digital technology find that it is associated with moderate learning gains of, on average, an additional four months’ progress over the course of a year. Evidence suggests that technology should be used to supplement, rather than replace, other teaching activities and interactions. Introducing new technology on its own is unlikely to have an impact; it must be accompanied by a change in pedagogy to improve learning.
A number of digital structured programs and instructional games for four to five year old children that aim to supplement the teaching of early literacy or mathematics skills have been evaluated and have shown positive impacts on learning. There is also evidence from the USA that the use of technology can support the professional development of early years teachers in mathematics. A study showed that providing video examples of effective practice for early years professionals to apply and develop can directly benefit children’s learning.
The degree to which digital technology should be used in early years education is highly contested. Some studies suggest that excessive screen-time (e.g. more than 1-2 hours a day, including television) is linked to attention problems, sleep and eating disorders and obesity. However, no high quality evaluations have assessed the link between extended use of technology and educational outcomes in the early years.
How secure is the evidence?
Overall, the evidence related to digital technology is limited. The evidence for the benefits of digital technology on young children is based mainly on single studies rather than meta-analyses, and is weaker than the evidence that focuses on older age groups. The key messages from the evidence are broadly consistent with evidence about use of technology in schools. It is also important to remember that the pace of technological change means that evidence is usually about yesterday’s technology rather than today’s. For example, no high quality evaluations appear to have assessed the impact of tablets on educational outcomes in the early years. This means that evaluating new approaches is important. The average impact of digital technology programs has remained relatively consistent for some time, suggesting that general messages are likely to remain relevant, even as specific digital technologies change.
There is a growing literature on the role of digital technology in Australian schools and early years settings. A study published in 2013 used a randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of a computer-based program for struggling early readers in the Northern Territory. The approach appeared to have a particular impact on the phonological awareness of Indigenous children.
What are the costs?
The initial costs of investing in new technologies are high. However, many early childhood services in Australia have access to digital technologies and therefore would not incur additional costs for digital devices to implement digital technology approaches. Once technology has been purchased, it can usually be used for several years. Computers, digital cameras and interactive whiteboards are common in Australasian early childhood services. It is important for early childhood services to budget for additional training and support costs to maximise the benefit of digital infrastructure purchases. Expenditure is estimated at an average of digital infrastructure purchases $500 per child for equipment and technical support. In early childhood education settings releasing staff for professional development may incur costs. For example, costs to the employer for a relief teacher per hour can be from $35 to $70; a certificate trained educator $19 - $35 per hour (plus employment related indirect costs).
What should I consider?
Introducing new technology does not automatically lead to improved educational outcomes. How will you use the technology to support learning?
Early years professionals need support and time to learn to use new technology effectively. This involves more than just learning how to use the technology; it should include support to understand how it can be used to improve learning.
It is important to evaluate the impact of using new technology. Have you considered how you will evaluate the impact of any new approaches?
