Week 3 - Post 2 - Technology in the Montessori Classroom

            I teach first, second, and third year students in a Montessori classroom. I am interested to know how other Montessori classroom use technology. I did some research using videos and research papers from a Google search to find some answers. Dottie Feldman uses the Maria Montessori quote, “Go forward” to describe how Montessori most likely would have felt about integrating technology with her methods. Feldman proposes using computers to assist teachers with observation as a good way to utilize technology in the classroom. I’m sure there are many more opinions on how to use technology, but I feel that what I have read is at least a start that will help me plan for my own classroom.

            An article by Davina Armstrong titled Integration of Computers into the Montessori Curriculum, advocates for using technology in the Montessori classroom. Having students use the Internet allows them to form and answer questions on their own. Students also have the ability to communicate with people all over the world through video conferencing. The source also provides a few criticisms of using technology in the Montessori classroom. One criticism is that the Internet gives too much data without a providing a framework for it. In Montessori the phrase “follow the child” is used to suggest that children will show adults their needs and interests through their actions. Many parents and teachers allow the child to follow their interests on the computer without providing necessary parameters for safety and instruction.

          Computer uses in the Montessori classroom include practical life activities, drills, phonetics, research games, word processing, simulation of Montessori materials, and educational research. These are similar to the ways technology is used in more traditional settings with the exception of the Montessori materials. One criticism is the use of math drill games such as Math Blaster in which the goal is to destroy alien ships. Since Montessori believed in world peace through education, games that with violence are not appropriate for the classroom. The article suggests that Montessori materials be made into wireless devices that communicate with computers to keep track of a child’s work with the materials. The author feels this would provide advantages in the classroom as a child might behave differently when the teacher is observing, the teacher cannot observe all children at the same time, and parents can see direct evidence of a child’s progress. Obstacles of this idea include technology limitations, expense, and teacher support.
            IntegratingTechnology into a Montessori Classroom by Love and Sikorski provides good suggestions for choosing developmentally appropriate software for the Montessori classroom. Software materials should have a sequence or order that engages the child, maintains interest, and does not overwhelm or only entertain the child. The materials should be peaceful with meaningful, useful, and age appropriate content. Software should also promote exploration and learning without focusing on achievement or failure. Similar to Montessori materials, computer software should contain good control of error that allows children to self-correct at their own pace. Finally, software should have multiple levels of difficulty and should compliment what is being taught in the classroom. While many of these suggestions seem obvious, I think it’s important to choose technology programs for the classroom that are in line with the methods and values of the school program. I think my students would enjoy giving lessons with Montessori materials to their parents by creating videos that could be posted on the classroom website. I think this would be a really great parent education tool, lesson for the students, and a demonstration of the technology that is being used in the classroom.