Tablets as an educational tool for enhancing preschool science |
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| Authors: | Melina Furman Susan De Angelis Enzo Dominguez Prost Inés Taylor |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Education, Universidad de San Andrés, Buenos Aires, Argentina;2. CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina;3. Institute of Research in Education Science, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina;4. Economics Department, Universidad de San Andrés, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
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| Abstract: | Information communication technologies (ICT) is increasingly being introduced in the preschool level, but questions have been raised regarding its potential to develop content knowledge or specific skills. This quasi-experimental study looked into the impact that hand-held tablets can have on science learning outcomes in five-year-olds. Four classes from two preschool institutions in Buenos Aires, Argentina, were selected for a six-week intervention. All four classes received training and an inquiry-based science teaching sequence, with one group from each institution also receiving tablets and specific guidance on how to incorporate them into their science lessons. Post-intervention test results showed significant improvements in science outcomes for all students, but no significant difference between the tablet-enhanced classrooms and those taught without ICT. Challenges and opportunities are discussed with regard to including tablets for teaching science at the preschool level. |
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| Keywords: | Tablets science inquiry ICT preschool |
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