Description
The innovative technologies category recognises the contribution of technology-based platforms in engaging children in, and promoting learning.
While technologies including apps, online content and interactive platforms are available and accessible to services, this category recognises that the value add for children’s learning comes when educators know and understand the technology and can apply the content in different contexts within the kindergarten program.
Supported by professional development and capability building providers, offering technology-based learning platforms show educators how the technology acts as a springboard for other learning.
Priority areas
- Oral language and communication
- Social and emotional capability
- Physicality
- Thinking and responding
- Access and inclusion
Alignment to Queensland kindergarten learning guideline
Learning and development areas
Work should align directly with specific learning and development areas and practice-based supports should highlight connections with intentional teaching practices, planning and reflecting.
Services using innovative technologies target educator knowledge and skills and supplementary practices to enhance children’s engagement in learning and learning outcomes.
Principles
- High expectations, equity and respect for diversity
- Respectful relationships
- Collaborative partnerships
- Effective pedagogies
- Reflective practice and professional decision-making
Delivery mode
Face-to-face, online, consultancy, professional services, goal setting and follow-up.
Cost
Costs to be negotiated and may involve provision of training materials and backfill at the host service.
Audience
Educators
Implementation considerations
Prerequisites: Services offering innovative technologies should:
- demonstrate direct connections between the technology and children’s learning outcomes
- demonstrate capability to work with educators to understand and apply the technology as a platform for learning and as a springboard for further learning within the kindergarten
- connect the skills and knowledge inputs with advice on how educators can work with children to address the priority area
- demonstrate the ability to support educators to apply the content through best practice/evidence-based teaching and learning.
Considerations: This item cannot be used to promote a ‘stand-alone’ IT application or tool. Educator capability and application must be included.
This item should not be targeted at individual use by children, rather it should be viewed as a technology-based aspect of learning aligned to the Queensland kindergarten learning guideline (QKLG).
The offering can include capability support for families in conjunction with educators.
Backfill: Services should consider the cost of providing backfill if required to allow educators to undertake training and any subsequent follow-up and engagement.
Contacts: Services can use local networks to source appropriate providers. Services negotiate scheduling and other details directly with the specialist support service or organisation.