Computers and mobile technologies have become widely adopted as sought-after tools in the field of education. The prevalence of technology in early childhood education (ECE) is increasing, and teachers, both pre-service and in-service, are using best practices to integrate tools effectively to improve teaching and learning within the field. This includes settings such as childcare centers, family childcare, and community programs that have both educators and administrators adapting to the use of technology. Therefore, it has become critical to research and explore the best practices of technology integration and successful strategies to improve the use of technology in ECE. Empowering Early Childhood Educators With Technology examines best practices that focus specifically on those that facilitate the development of competencies in teaching young children (birth to age 8) and technology integration. The chapters include information on the foundations of technology in early childhood education, content-specific technology applications, developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) for learners using technology, and how to meet diverse learner needs with technology. The target audience for this book is early childhood professionals, teacher educators, pre- and in-service teachers in early childhood settings, faculty and researchers in the field of education, instructional technologists, childcare and elementary school administrators, early education policy organizations, and advocacy groups that are interested in the best practices and successful strategies for implementing technology in ECE.

Join Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher as they outline a clear-cut, realistic, and rewarding approach to formative assessment. They explain how four discrete steps work in tandem to create a seamless, comprehensive formative assessment system-one that has no beginning and no end. This ongoing approach enhances an active give-and-take relationship between teachers and students to promote learning. Where am I going? Step 1: Feed-up ensures that students understand the purpose of an assignment, task, or lesson, including how they will be assessed. Where am I now? Step 2: Checking for understanding guides instruction and helps determine if students are making progress toward their goals. How am I doing? Step 3: Feedback provides students with valuable and constructive information about their successes and needs. Where am I going next? Step 4: Feed-forward builds on the feedback from step 3 and uses performance data to facilitate student achievement. Dozens of real-life scenarios demonstrate how to apply these steps in your classroom, always focusing on the presence or absence of student learning to guide the action. By enabling teachers and students alike to see more clearly what they need to do for learning to be successful, this approach builds students' competence, confidence, and understanding. No matter what grade level you teach, The Formative Assessment Action Plan will help you make better use of assessment data so you can more quickly adjust instruction to keep every student on the path to success.