Posts Tagged early childhood education
The Big Gap – Online Educational Games For Kids
In our quest to find online educational games and learning activities for kids in kindergarten, preschool and first grades, we did a detailed study to see how well they fulfill parental expectations and needs. Our findings show significant gaps, indicating challenges and new opportunities for online educational websites for kids.
What do parents actually want?
Earlier surveys have shown that parents generally want their children to get used to computers at a young age, but not get addicted to the same. Parents expect children’s websites to be informational, easy to use, and suitable for kids of varying ages. They look for games and activities that teach the kids the essential concepts of early childhood education, such as, numbers, alphabets, phonics, analytical skills etc. They also look for online stories, rhymes and other entertaining content. Studies have shown it to be highly effective, if the kids are taught in a subtle and entertaining manner, without giving them a burdened feeling that they need to learn. Such a fun learning approach goes a long way in addressing their short attention spans, and it is quite effective in motivating kids to learn.
Of course, in today’s scenario, most parents are busy and find little time to sit along with their kids in front of the computer on a regular basis. Educational websites for kids need to be well designed for easy kid-friendly usage, and have the ability to engage young kids without the parents necessarily having to babysit them all the time.
What do most educational web sites offer?
To our surprise, our research showed that most kids education web sites fail to meet the above, rather basic expectations. We found a large number of websites offering online educational games, activities and content in a highly unorganized manner without any standardization. Each site had its own content and navigational structure, requiring kids to read and understand instructions on the screen, making it mandatory for an adult to help and supervise. Typically, most games are not age specific and unintuitive in their design. Large number of games relied on kid’s hand-eye coordination, and did nothing in terms of helping them learn a new concept.
Even the more education-oriented websites, actually do not ‘teach’ or explain concepts to the kids. They pose questions in a game format that mainly ‘test’ what the kids already know. Teaching requires audio-visual content that explain the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of each topic in an age-specific manner. This is one of the biggest shortcomings of most of the web sites for early childhood education.
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Online Education to Become a Teacher
You might want to consider acquiring an online degree if you are interested in becoming a teacher. The field of education is one that gives you plenty of opportunities to try out different roles. As a teacher, you can focus on early, middle, or secondary aged students. You can also take on administrative roles with an online degree focused on teaching.
Kinds of Online Degrees:
Similar to any other field, there are lots of options available for you when it comes to online degrees. To start with, you can go for a bachelor’s degree in education. You can become a teacher in any college or university by earning this degree along with a certificate in teaching. Normally your college major will decide which subject you are going to teach. Once you have earned a bachelor’s degree in education, you can further go for a master’s degree in education. This degree can come in real handy for individuals who want to advance their career.
Different Areas in the Field of Education:
The education field consists of various specializations that include elementary education, early childhood education, administration, higher education, secondary education and middle school. Each of these specializations needs a specific educational qualification and certification for becoming a teacher. For example, it is mandatory for teachers to get a license from the state in which they are teaching.
Online Bachelor’s in Education:
To start a career in teaching, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree in Education. The course structure of this online degree program includes planning lessons, handling discipline related issues, psychology of learning and making sure that students do not face any problem in understanding concepts. You can earn between $25,000 and $30,000 as a first year teacher with an online bachelor’s degree in education.
Online Master’s in Teaching:
Certified teachers can attain promotions as well as pay raises with the help of online a master’s in teaching degree. Another good thing about this degree program is that it gives teachers more opportunities in private schools and universities. Upon graduation you can also enroll in a PhD in education degree program.
Schools Offering Online Education Degrees:
o Western Governors University: Regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Western Governors University offers Bachelor in Education, Masters in Teaching, Masters in Education, Higher Education, Secondary Education and Special Education.
o Ashford University: Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Ashford University offers Associate, Bachelor and Master degrees in teaching. Some of the programs conducted by Ashford University are Bachelor in Education, Masters in Teaching, Masters in Education, Masters in Teaching, Higher Education, Early Childhood Education, Secondary Education and Elementary Education.
o Grand Canyon University: Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, Grand Canyon University offers Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education in Secondary Education and Master of Education in Special Education.
The acquisition on an online degree in education can help individuals in acquiring better career opportunities and go for well-paying jobs. But before enrolling in an online college or university, you need to make sure that it is accredited.
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Educational Toys – Are They Really Educational
Children love to play and it is the most natural way for them to learn. Toys can provide a means for parents and or caregivers to connect relationally with children through play. Studies show that learning is enhanced as parents – caregivers participate in the activities of their children. Interaction during play also provides opportunities for parents – caregivers to observe the various skills that are developing and continue to build upon them as well as observe under developed areas and help these areas to grow.
According to the NPD Group, a leading market research company, the toy manufacturing industry boasted $21.64 billion in sales in 2008. This may or may not surprise you, but toy sales in 2008 in a shaky and uncertain economy were only down 4% from toy sales in 2006 when the USA seemed to be enjoying a stable and even growing economy. Many toy manufacturers make claims that their products will facilitate learning and growth in the six crucial areas of early childhood development. But do they really?
Children from infancy to six years of age will experience some positive growth and development with almost any toy that they engage during playtime because their brain is being stimulated and is gathering information with every experience. This is why parents – caregivers should seek advice from a pediatrician or an educator who specializes in early childhood education and development as to what toys will be best suited for their child. In doing this parents – caregivers will discover that the best educational toy is not what a manufacturer may claim, but the one that works best at stimulating interaction with them and their child. Toys are not a substitute to keep children busy by themselves, but an avenue to support loving, caring interaction and relationship building.
On Monday October 5, 2009 my wife and I welcomed our fifth grandchild, a boy, into our family. As I observed him in the hospital nursery waving his little arms and legs shortly after his birth I could not help myself from thinking that his brain was already preparing him for the world around him. With that, here a few ideas that may help you when looking for educational toys for your child…
- Look for age appropriate toys that will challenge their imagination. Problem solving helps prepare them for real life situations
- Look for toys with your child in mind. Like everything else, trends find their way in the toy market also and may not be suitable toy(s) for your child
- Do not fall prey to claims made by advertisers. Many educational toys have greatly improved in recent years, but some are more entertaining than educational. A little personal research on your part can reveal a lot.
- Safety first. Is the toy safe for your child? Remember 1 – 2 year olds like putting things in their mouth
- Stay away from any toy that promotes even the slightest hint of violence or negative social behavior
- When in doubt, seek the advice of a pediatrician or an early childhood education and development educator – specialist
With the 2009 holiday season quickly approaching many parents – caregivers will purchase toys for their children. However, while choosing toys that will aid in your child’s educational development, it is important for parents – caregivers to keep in mind, their personal interaction with their child is the best gift that they can give.
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