13 Using Technology

Finding ways to utilize technology in regular routines can make collecting observation evidence much more efficient for busy educators. Photographs, video, and audio recordings can authentically capture children’s explorations, investigations, play, and learning experiences in the actual moment. With this type of documentation, educators can replay key moments in a child’s day to look for specific interactions, play patterns, developmental milestones, struggles and accomplishments. With this technique, educators can also listen for language development by recording actual conversations that children are having with their peers. Educators can also monitor how children problem solve and can capture special moments as well as everyday moments. As with work samples, educators can share their observation evidence with the children. Children are fascinated with seeing and hearing themselves. This type of documentation provides the most authentic evidence of all the observation methods.

Collecting your Data

There are numerous ways to incorporate technology into your program. It is important to keep in mind that each early learning program would have their own protocol, policies, and procedures regarding the use of technology to document children’s learning, growth, and development, so be sure to verify what you can and cannot do.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/macbook-pro-beside-white-ipad-4158/

Here are a few suggestions that you may find useful:

• Use a camera, laptop, tablet, or smartphone to record observations and take pictures
• Ask a child to dictate a story and you can type it up on a computer or use an audio recorder
• Scan or make copies of children’s work such as drawings or writing to create a visual timeline that shows a child’s skill development over time
• Use email or a parent communication app to post work samples
• Use voice-to-text software to document important discussions. For example, children can explain how they created their piece of art
• Take pictures of three-dimensional work. For example, woodworking projects, block towers, sandcastles, and culinary creations
• Film dramatic plays and musical performances that the children produce
• Use a video camera to document how children are progressing with their developmental milestones in each of the domains. For example, look at playful interactions to track social-emotional development; watch children on the playground to track physical development; and observe how children tackle science or math activities to track cognitive development.

Organizing your Data

Observation data can be conveniently stored on a computer and each child can have their own digital portfolio or file folder. For every child, you would include photos of them at play, photos of their work samples, and any audio recordings or video clips that you may have collected (as suggested above). When using smartphones to take photos or videos, you can easily upload information to your computer or transfer information to other devices. Some educators may want to use an app to formally organize observation evidence, and some schools may purchase a program that links families to daily observations. Some centers may even use an electronic assessment program (e.g. the Desired Results Developmental Program – DRDP) to track children’s developmental progress and educators would regularly upload observation evidence as part of the assessment process. (keep this in?)

Here are a few added suggestions on how you can organize and use stored electronic observation evidence:

• Photos can be scanned, printed and posted in the classroom
• A photo slideshow can be created for family nights or as a screen saver
• The children can watch a video montage of a themed project they completed
• Children can look at “old” photos to monitor their own developmental progress and can make comments regarding their work, their thought process and their developmental outcomes.

Advantages

The following are some advantages of using technology as a documentation method:

• Provides tangible/visible evidence that educators can use to track a child’s learning, growth and development over time
• Parents and children both enjoy seeing the work on display
• Captures authentic documentation which is ideal for assessment
• Educators can use information to plan and adjust curriculum to help children achieve their learning goals
• Families can see how children learn through play
• Children can share their insights as to how they created the work sample and offer their perspectives as to what they were thinking (authentic evidence)
• Children enjoy seeing their work on display and they can feel empowered when their work is valued
• With using multimedia, children can be observed in their natural settings

Disadvantages

Here are some drawbacks to using technology to document our observations:

• Can be time consuming to add anecdotal documentation and create documentation boards
• Requires a financial investment in technology (camera, video or audio recorder)
• Concerns over confidentiality and privacy when using photos, audio or videos