What age is appropriate?

When asked the question, "At what age can online/digital literacy activities be integrated into the classroom?" My immediate reaction is no age is too soon. I am a waitress on the weekends and I can testify that at least 90% of the children that come into the restaurant with their families have some sort of electronic device in their hands beginning when they are old enough to hold the device themselves. When the child is too young to hold the device, the parent is often seen holding it in front of them with some sort of application playing for their viewing pleasure. Therefore, I believe that our new generation of students will be coming to us with much more prior knowledge and experience in the coming years. We must be prepared for this and begin to integrate online and digital literacy activities into our classrooms as soon as possible. Evidence for this can be seen through the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology, CTEDTECH. The State Department of Education has established computer technology competency standards for students beginning at Pre-Kindergarten. Specifically, standard 4 - Technology Communications Tools states that students Pre-K - grade 4 should, "Use technology resources (e.g., puzzles, logical thinking programs, writing tools, digital cameras, drawing tools) for problem solving, communication, and illustration of thoughts, ideas and stories; Gather information and communicate with others using telecommunications, with support from teachers, family members or student partners.


Standards have also been established by NETS, as mentioned in previous blogs.