Book Description
This exploratory study was designed to describe young children's social interactions and teachers' perceptions before and after the introduction of a microcomputer to classrooms and early childhood settings in New Zealand. Two junior school classes and two kindergartens participated. During the first term of 1986, baseline data in the form of independent observation, teachers' diary records, and interviews of the children were collected. A Commodore 64 computer with age-appropriate software was introduced to each classroom or kindergarten in the second term. Data subsequently collected included coded observations, teachers' diary records, teacher and child interview data, and parents' written responses to an exploratory set of questions. An independent observer coded 28 randomly selected children's behaviors before and after the introduction of the computers. Findings tended to support the view that many young children perceive computers as fun, and that microcomputers can enhance aspects of children's social interactions. However, results also suggest that careful planning is needed before microcomputers are introduced to early childhood and junior school learning environments. Appendices provide summaries of teachers' courseware evaluations and instruments used in the study. (Author/RH)