Research Article
Dulcenombre de María Fernández-Montoro, Juan Manuel Trujillo-Torres, María Dolores Benítez-Márquez, Carmen Rocío Fernández-Fernández
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 18, Issue 3, Article No: ep653
ABSTRACT
This study addresses the training, benefits, and use of information and communication technology (ICT) by early childhood education (ECE) teachers working with children with autism in Andalusia, Spain. Specifically, it analyzes the impact of perceptions regarding the use and benefits of ICT on teacher training, in a context where digital transformations require specific skills and training. A snowball sampling method was used to collect data from 254 active teachers in early childhood education centers with autistic children. The data were analyzed using a partial least squares structural equation model. Additionally, control variables such as age, years of teaching experience, and years of experience with autistic children were included. The final model revealed that perceptions of the use and benefits of ICT have a positive impact on teacher training. Furthermore, years of experience in early childhood education with autistic children positively influenced training, while age had a negative impact. Teachers highlighted the need for equitable interventions and the importance of ensuring the presence of specialized teachers in autism in all educational centers. The study emphasizes the importance of teacher training in ICT to improve the education of children with autism. It highlights the need for specific resources, digital platforms, and specialized personnel in educational centers. It also underscores that, just like normotypical students, children with autism must be guaranteed access to quality education provided by qualified professionals.
Keywords: autism, information and communication technologies, teacher training, early childhood
Research Article
Rozalin Fareed Qazamel, Doa Omar Hawari
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 17, Issue 4, Article No: ep616
ABSTRACT
This study aims to explore the impact of distance learning on the quality of practical applications among early childhood education students in secondary schools within the Green Line. The descriptive correlational approach was used, utilizing a research tool consisting of two main axes: distance learning and the quality of practical applications. The validity and reliability of the tool were verified. The study sample consisted of teachers working with early childhood education students in secondary schools. A survey study was initially conducted by distributing the tool to a sample of 30 male and female teachers from the study population but outside the main research sample. After that, the final tool was distributed to the main sample, which included 160 male and female teachers who were selected through the comprehensive survey method. The data collected through an electronic questionnaire were statistically analyzed. The findings revealed a significant negative relationship between distance learning and the quality of practical applications, indicating that higher engagement in distance learning was associated with lower performance in practical skills and hands-on activities. This highlights the challenges of applying practical training effectively in a fully online learning environment.
Keywords: early childhood education, distance learning quality, practical applications
Research Article
Ratna Candra Sari, Mimin Nur Aisyah, Sariyatul Ilyana, Hardika Dwi Hermawan
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 14, Issue 2, Article No: ep363
ABSTRACT
This study aims to develop and test the effectiveness of a financial literacy storybook based on augmented reality (AR) as an executive function-building intervention for early-age children. Executive functions are the cognitive abilities underlying such tasks as focusing on long-term goals, delaying gratification and impulse self-control. The method is research and development using the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) model. This learning media produced a positive response among the users. Children perceive the story’s attractiveness was good, while the 3D images and activity in the storybook were very good. This study also measures the effectiveness of a storybook based on AR in improving the understanding of financial literacy using a pre and post-test design. The results show that knowledge of honesty, discipline and money management increased significantly. In addition, there is a marginally significant increase in the aspects of delay gratification, saving goals and responsibility.
Keywords: executive functions, storybook, early childhood, augmented reality, financial literacy
Research Article
Yalin Kilic Turel, Filiz Varol
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 3, Issue 1, pp. 17-35
ABSTRACT
The main goal of the current study was to analyze early childhood and elementary pre-service teachers’ choices of participant-designed materials and the reasons for their selection. To this end, 57 elementary and 39 early childhood teacher candidates were asked to design one physical material and one electronic material for instruction. Then, they were asked which type of material they would prefer if they were teaching and what their rationale was for this selection. The results revealed several dissimilarities between early childhood and elementary teacher candidates in terms of their choices and the reasons for their choices. In their rationale, elementary pre-service teachers more referred their limited technological knowledge while early childhood pre-service teachers took attention to the need for hands-on activities for their instruction. In general, participants raised critical questions related to teachers’ technological knowledge, and teacher preparation programs as well as professional development programs regarding how to integrate such instructional technologies effectively into course activities to enhance learning.
Keywords: Instructional material, Instructional material design, Pre-service teachers, Early childhood education, Elementary education, Teacher education programs