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Toys or Tools? Using Tablet Computers for Open-Ended Literacy Learning

October 21, 2016 by

Toys or Tools team photo

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Toys or Tools? Using Tablet Computers for Open-Ended Literacy Learning

Full-day Kindergarten began to roll out in Ontario in 2010 and was fully implemented by the 2014-2015 school year. It is staffed by two professionals: an Early Childhood Educator and a Kindergarten Teacher who work as a team to implement the program. The program has two components: the ‘core day’ which runs from approximately 9am to 3pm, and the ‘extended’ day which runs before and after the traditional school day. It was meant to be a ‘seamless’ day for the children but in reality most school boards do not run the extended day, operating them instead with third parties. This project began as a one year pilot project in 2014-2015 with six classrooms (three core and three extended) to explore how children and educators responded to using open-ended tablet apps in their school programs. The project’s specific focus was literacy learning, but the educators could use the apps in whatever way they chose. The preliminary findings were very exciting and provided the findings needed to apply to SSHRC for an expanded three-year project.

Currently the team is working in eight extended day classrooms and six core classrooms in two school boards. The project focuses on looking at open-ended literacy learning for children using iPad apps, but also at educators’ attitudes, experiences, pedagogical strategies, and goals while using the iPad apps in their teaching.

  • Team Photo at CSSE, Toronto, 2017
  • Team Photo at CSSE, Calgary, 2016
  • Team Photo at Applied Research Day, 2017 student award
  • Team Photo at AERA, San Antonio, 2017
  • Team Photo at AERA 2018, New York City
  • Presentations and Publications
  • Resources for Families
  • Resources for Educators
  • Academic References

Presentations and Publications

Presentations

Open-Ended Apps in Kindergarten: Identity Exploration Through Digital Role-Play (Learning & Literacy, January 2019)
Toys or Tools? Tablet Applications to Empower Young Students Through Open-Ended Literacy Learning PDF Icon
My Language Song MOV Icon
Spider Webs MOV Icon
The Highs and Lows of Digital Technology Integration in Kindergarten PDF Icon
Rocketship MOV Icon
Inclusive Teaching with Technology PDF Icon

Publications

Educators’ Use of Tablet Applications to Empower Young Students Through Open-Ended Literacy Learning PDF Icon
Inclusive teaching with digital technology: Supporting literacy learning in play-based kindergartens PDF Icon
Identity Exploration Through Digital Role-Play PDF Icon
The Highs and Lows of Digital Technology Integration PDF Icon
Taking it outside: Engaging in active, creative, outdoor play with digital technology.  PDF Icon

Resources for Families

Choosing Apps for Young Children – Tip Sheet for Families PDF Icon
Open-ended iPad Apps and the Outdoors: Tips for Families PDF Icon
Digital Technology Resources for Families: Where to Find More Information PDF Icon
30 Hands Pro: A technical guide for Early Childhood Educators PDF Icon

Resources for Educators

Sample Curriculum Plan for Educators: Bird Project PDF Icon
Sample Curriculum Plan – Structures and Building Projects PDF Icon
Open-ended iPad Apps and the Outdoors: Guidelines for Educators PDF Icon
Choosing Open-Ended Apps – Tip Sheet for Educators PDF Icon
iPads in Kindergarten: Charging your iPads PDF Icon
iPads in Kindergarten: Documentation PDF Icon
iPads in Kindergarten: Choosing the right model PDF Icon
iPads in Kindergarten: Protecting your iPads PDF Icon
iPads in Kindergarten: Safety Considerations PDF Icon
Trouble-shooting Tip Sheet PDF Icon
30 Hands Pro: A technical guide for Early Childhood Educators PDF Icon
Stars Video MOV Icon

Academic References

Toys or Tools Academic References PDF Icon
Academic Literature References PDF Icon

SOCIAL INNOVATION EXCHANGE

For more information about this or any of our projects, please connect with us.

Partner

  • Peel District School Board

Principal-investigator

  • Monica McGlynn-Stewart

Centre

  • Business/Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Lab

  • Social Innovation Exchange

Project-year

  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
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