The purpose of this study is firstly to seize the degree of recognition of teachers working for elementary school-affiliated kindergarten about linkage between computer education of kindergarten and elementary school, secondly to activate the computer...
The purpose of this study is firstly to seize the degree of recognition of teachers working for elementary school-affiliated kindergarten about linkage between computer education of kindergarten and elementary school, secondly to activate the computer education suitable for childs development based on results from above processes, thirdly to provide the method to increase its efficiency by suggesting fundamental information on the device linked with elementary computer education.
Study was conducted toward 213 teachers working for elementary school-affiliated kindergartens located in 14 cities of Gyeonggi-Do.
As methodology, author reorganized and developed measurement method in accordance with the purpose of study based on preceding researches and documents regarding to computer application in kindergarten and elementary school(Yoon, Jeong Eun, 2001; Kim, Jeong Won, 1997; Ministry of Education, 1995), and link education among them(Han, Youn Kyoung, 2000; Lee, Jeong Eun, 2000). Then, conducted questionnaire survey
and case interview on the operating state of computer education, degree of teachers recognition about computer curriculum, operating state of education activity for link education. As data analysis, SPSS program was used to handle data by frequency and percentage for each items and to analyze its actual condition, and the case interview was analyzed by case analysis method.
The subjects of research are like followings;
1) What is actual state of computer education in kindergartens?
2) Do kindergarten teachers recognize the computer curriculum of elementary school?
3) How about the operating state of computer education kindergarten teachers manage for link education to elementary computer curriculum?
The results of study can be summarized like followings;
First, regarding to actual state of computer-educational operating in kindergarten, most of the subject answered one computer was installed in a class and prior to them or unit of learning, class teachers planned the computer education program and administrated individual guidance in an elective activity subject collectively.
Regarding to difficulties of computer education, they indicated high ratio of number, teacher vs children, lack of computer facilities and educational software. Regarding to teachers ability to apply computer, they had the highest level in word process and the window operating system and power point were followed, and used computer to frame teaching plan, teach internet-applied class and conduct the school affairs-related business and information management.
Second, regarding to degree of their recognition about computer curriculum in elementary school, they were aware of basic direction of 7th curriculum of elementary school as well as goal of computer education of elementary school, measure method for computer education and computer-applied teaching methods and materials. On the contrary, they were not aware of publication of guide book for teachers, use of learning materials for students, time organization and enforcement year of computer education, which represents that they did not recognize exactly the computer curriculum of elementary school on the document but understand the actual-developing curriculum generally.
Third, regarding to link of education contents which were being conducted for compatibility between computer curriculum of elementary school and one of kindergarten. Followings items were well practiced; computer education for basic function, education for correct carriage, education for convenience of information equipment to social life, education for fundamental management of computer, education for computer constituents and its term, education for use of educational software and evaluation and guide on computer education activity.
Because consistency of goal of computer education, however, is sluggish, they did not consider linkage with computer education of elementary school, when practicing computer education in kindergarten. Regarding to link between their teaching-learning methods, while they used teaching methods with using computer and other facilities, operated class through collective activities and used differentiated methods with classification of groups. There was no reference or sharing of contents of educational software of elementary school, mutual class inspection or discussion.
For the link of computer education, this study requires development of systematic computer curriculum and guide book for teachers, and suggests proper teaching methods and contents about computer education for children
which can be applied for curriculum of kindergarten, when training teachers,instead of increasing only ability to apply computer.