Incorporating Technology into Instruction in Early Childhood Classrooms: a Systematic Review

The purpose of this review is to describe the variety and effectiveness of instructional technologies used in the early childhood setting.

A systematic review of three databases was completed, and studies were reviewed by two independent coders to determine if they met inclusion criteria. Studies were excluded from this review if (a) the technology was used to train teachers and was not directly used with early childhood students, (b) participants were all enrolled in 2nd grade or higher, (c) the setting was not an early childhood education setting, or (d) studies were descriptive in nature or utilized a survey methodology. Data were extracted from each article related to participant characteristics, setting characteristics, research design, technology type, and dependent variables.

Thirty-five studies met criteria were included in this review. A wide range of technologies were used to provide or facilitate instruction on (a) academics, (b) social and communication skills, and (c) cognitive skills. Academic outcomes targeted in Head Start preschools were the most common across studies. The results ranged from no effect to highly effective.

The findings from the included studies varied widely in their outcomes from reporting no difference between traditional instruction and technology-aided instruction to reporting significant difference between groups or reporting a functional relation between the technology-based intervention and the target behavior or skill. Studies that included students identified with neurodevelopmental disorders demonstrated a positive impact in the outcomes of students who experience an intervention that included technology-aided instruction. Future research is needed to identify critical components of effective technology-based interventions in early childhood educational settings.