ERIC Number: EJ1052036
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Jun
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1307-9298
EISSN: N/A
Developmentally Appropriate Technology in Early Childhood (DATEC) in Botswana: In-Service Teachers' Perspectives
Bose, Kabita
International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, v1 n3 p218-231 Jun 2009
Developmentally Appropriate Technology in Early Childhood (DATEC) aims to identify the most appropriate applications of Information and Communication Technology to support the development of children under eight years of age. Botswana has a unique spread of population density and deep-rooted socio-cultural values. There is a need to address the compatibility of these aspects with the application of Information and Communication Technology in the proposed Early Childhood Education programmes throughout Botswana. The researcher felt that the views of the in-service teachers, (who are now students of the Bachelor of Education Programme) in the University of Botswana and have specialized in Early Childhood Education, would be a valuable input towards an appropriate Early Childhood Education curriculum. Hence, a study was proposed to assess the views of the teachers, regarding DATEC in Botswana. Forty (40) fourth year students (Level 400) of Bachelor of Education (Primary) Programme of University of Botswana, who specialised in early years and have a good exposure to Information and Communication Technology constituted the sample. Their views were obtained from a semi-structured questionnaire. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used for analysis of data. The findings of the study showed that the respondents strongly believed that an integration of Information and Communication Technology with the Early Childhood Education curriculum is necessary to enhance an overall development of young children. Computers with relevant resources were thought to be the best Information and Communication Technology applications in Early Childhood Education for a developmentally appropriate programme that would provide educational concepts, problem solving skills and creativity. However, they emphasised the need to make the technology socio-culturally compatible to citizens of Botswana (Batswana) to facilitate developmentally appropriate education of young children. The study concluded with a few recommendations.
Descriptors: Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Appropriate Technology, Early Childhood Education, Teacher Attitudes, Technology Uses in Education, Inservice Teacher Education, Semi Structured Interviews, Questionnaires, Statistical Analysis, Qualitative Research, Technology Integration, Readiness, Teacher Competencies, Cultural Context, Educational Practices, Teaching Methods, Change Strategies, Foreign Countries
International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education. T&K Akademic Rosendalsvein 45, Oslo 1166, Norway. e-mail: iejee@iejee.com; Web site: http://www.iejee.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Botswana
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A