Exploring Caregiver Perceptions of a One-to-One Tablet Program for Kindergartners

Area of Science:

• Educational Technology
• Early Childhood Education
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• One-to-one device programs are increasingly common in early childhood education.
• Understanding the home-school context of children's device use is vital for effective integration.
• Research is needed on caregivers' perspectives regarding classroom technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate caregivers' perceptions of kindergarteners' classroom tablet use.
• To explore the interplay between home and school contexts in early learning technology adoption.
• To identify caregiver concerns and expectations regarding educational technology.

Main Methods:

• Focus group study involving caregivers of kindergarteners.
• Qualitative data collection on perceptions of classroom device use.
• Analysis of participant responses on benefits, concerns, and communication.

Main Results:

• Caregivers perceive both benefits and challenges in children's tablet use for early learning.
• Trust in educators exists, alongside a desire for partnership in technology use.
• Lack of communication regarding school technology use creates frustration and hinders partnership.

Conclusions:

• Effective integration of educational technology requires addressing caregiver concerns and fostering open communication.
• Caregivers are willing partners but need clear information to support children's technology use.
• Implications for practice include developing strategies for home-school collaboration on educational technology.