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Florida's Child

As seen in Child Care Business, November 2001,
Volume 2 Issue 10; Reprinted with permission


Which way do we grow?
How Technology Links Assessment to Care


by Jason K. Feld, Ph.D. and Heidi Kirkland


YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY SURE PROGRESS IS HAPPENING AROUND YOU, BUT YOU'RE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHERE - WHICH CHILDREN, WHICH CLASSROOMS, WHICH TEACHERS ARE IMPROVING TODAY? TO FIND OUT, DO YOU DIG INTO THE PAPERS ON YOUR DESK OR TAKE A WALK AROUND THE CENTER? WITH THE OBSERVATIONAL NOTES YOU'VE MADE, CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENTS YOU'VE IMPLEMENTED, WORK SAMPLES YOU'VE COLLECTED, TEACHER EVALUATIONS…HOW DO YOU TIE THEM TOGETHER AS MEANINFUL INFORMATION? HOW ABOUT TAKING A LOOK IN THE COMPUTER?


If yours is like many other early learning programs, you probably haven't fully implemented technology to the degree that you would like. You may still be evaluating how to make the best use of technology in your program. Computers can provide many solutions to challenges in child care business - including some you may not have considered especially if you are determined to gather better data on how well your program is doing. Keeping in mind the core purpose of measurement is the belief that better information leads to better decision-making.


Yet, computers make it possible to do more than theorize which way to grow. Computers can efficiently organize information that was already available, but not readily accessible, in a way that will actually help you determine your next step toward improvement. A generally accepted benefit of technology is the ability to track and organize information with ease and speed. Another benefit is gaining efficiencies through automation, and ultimately achieving better results with less work.


Applied to your program's goals and objectives what type of information would benefit you in tracking and organizing? What processes would you like to automate for better results? Consider the types of technology appropriate if the main goal of your program is to improve learning opportunities for children. Does it make sense that better assessment information might lead to better teaching decisions?



Electronic Management of Learning


Take a closer look at how technology can help you determine which way to grow. The phrase "Electronic Management of Learning" describes interactive technology that links children's development information to the planning of effective learning opportunities, and facilitates quick access to activities, lesson plans, and assessment data, to improve learning outcome. Like center management software, Electronic Management of Learning is achieved by using computers, software and in some cases the Internet. While center management software focuses on accounting functions and business operations, technology for the Electronic Management of Learning focuses on the progress of children and the teaching process itself.


For example, a teacher could use a computer software program to record observations of the children's progress, and the computerized program aids the teacher in systematically tracking each child's development. This information of the children's capabilities is then automatically summarized and reported at various levels, class, center, agency, for teachers, parents, and administrators use. From this information, the teacher can set relevant goals to build on the children's strengths and accomplishments. The computer can link these goals to developmentally appropriate activities, and expedite the process of preparing weekly lesson plans. Assessments, activities, and lesson plans would ideally be stored electronically for quick reference and easy access among educators.


Like any other software category, technology products addressing the Electronic Management of Learning have differing capabilities. Systems differ in how they approach assessment, outcome reporting, curriculum development and lesson planning. Understanding what you want to achieve from technology and how you use it is critical in choosing the right software manufacturer for your program.


BETTER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS


According to childtrends.org, simply "providing basic care in which simple routine needs are met, but children aren't stimulated to learn," is not meeting the developmental needs of our children in this county and not addressing school readiness concerns. Many child care centers consider themselves the first classroom a child will enter. Since it has been proven children accomplish their most important learning before they reach age 5, the early childhood industry must be poised for continuous improvement of learning opportunities for children. To do that, many centers are finding accountability measures a key component in designing appropriate curriculum.


For instance, activities might be scrutinized beyond whether the right materials are available or if they pertain to a specific theme - instead, do they align with goals developmentally-appropriate for those children currently in class.


Benefits geared to improved learning opportunities gained by Electronic Management of Learning include:


  1. Credible assessment information that can be accessed immediately provides teachers continuous feedback of what is working in the classroom.
  2. Computers save teachers time by linking assessment data automatically to creation of developmentally-appropriate activities and lesson plans.
  3. Kids enjoy activities that are exciting and developmentally-appropriate.
  4. Electronic libraries of learning activities can be created for use in the classroom and home.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES


Can good measuring practices improve enrollment and retention? Documenting outcomes can be a recruiting tool for centers that do a good job helping children make progress. Here are additional ways Electronic Management of Learning can be influential:


  1. Computerized assessment offers more communication options for parents, using direct input from the parents as part of the assessment process, and colorful reports to aid progress discussions.
  2. Lesson plans and activities can be easily shared among teachers program-wide facilitating increased curriculum options.
  3. Curriculum can easily be tailored to individual learning readiness levels. This may be important for multi-age classrooms, classrooms with special needs children, and/or programs aiming to develop accelerated tracks.
  4. Centers are armed with credible information to dispel myths about the impact of the child care environment on children.

It is important to note that if a center's learning outcome is not that good to begin with, electronic aggregation will not necessarily make it any better. Although, the computer can expose areas not within the center's control, such as irregular attendance, and how this is affecting a child's progress.


IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS


Clearly, one of the strengths of computerized documentation is the ability to quantify your program's value. In addition, technology can help teachers perform more effectively, easily, and efficiently. Long-term benefits include cost savings and training utility. The internal accountabilities, resulting from Electronic Management of Learning, allow directors to look at variables in the program. Technology becomes a program improvement tool in a wide number of areas affecting teacher proficiency, parent involvement, attendance levels, and enrollment, that all correlate to learning results.


Like most promises of progress, there is a requisite investment, and some considerations relating to the feasibility of implementing technology for management of learning include:


  1. Product Performance Disparity: Because technology tools available address a wide variety of areas, it may seem difficult to choose the proper assessment and teaching tools. Compare products on validity, credibility, ease of use, range of capabilities, and adaptability. Refer back to earlier questions in this article regarding your program's goals, and make sure the tools you evaluate address those goals.
  2. Cost: Technology requires an investment in hardware and software, as well as maintenance and support. Will your investment drain resources from other essential tools of instruction? Determine how your investment will pay dividends by adding to the centers' resources.
  3. Training: Technology often has a steep learning curve, especially considering many teachers are not computer proficient. With this in mind, training improves the payoff - Electronic Management of Learning gives teachers an opportunity to become a part of, and benefit from, the technology revolution.
  4. Ramp-Up Time: Technology takes time to set up; this is particularly true when the useful information must first be gathered before it can be aggregated and reported.

Is now the time to look to your computer for improved learning opportunities for children? Technology solutions that link assessment and teaching processes can offer child care centers advantages that benefit the children, parents and programs. Determining if your program is ready to move toward Electronic Management of Learning, requires some thought and investigation.


Those centers that are already pursuing continuous improvement are most prepared to implement technology and expand their centers effectively. CCB