Digital Decisions; Choosing the Right Technology Tools for Early Childhood Education

" Digital Decisionswill open your eyes and expand your awareness of how technology fits into a purposefully planned child-centered classroom."--Paula Jorde Bloom, Michael W. Louis Endowed Chair, McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership "Simon and Nemeth transform the debate between technology as good or bad, rather showing us how to use technology actively and interactively within good active and interactive early childhood programs."--Ellen Galinsky, author of Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs When it comes to choosing and implementing the most appropriate technology tools for an early childhood classroom, many educators feel exhilarated or overwhelmed. Most feel both! Digital Decisionsoffers expert guidance and simple strategies for early childhood educators, administrators, and directors looking to embrace and integrate technology in the classroom. This no-nonsense, jargon-free guide will help educators choose and implement the right technology tools based on the needs of the children, the context of the curriculum, and the resources available. Fran Simonis a contributing author on technology and social media for early childhood journals and frequently presents on technology and social media at national conferences. Karen N. Nemethhas been a teacher and a teacher educator for more than twenty-five years.

Fran Simon is a professional early childhood educator, a passionate technologist, and the chief engagement officer of her own national marketing, educational technology, and publishing consulting company, Engagement Strategies, LLC. After 15 years as a multisite child care administrator and subsequent positions at Teaching Strategies, Inc. and the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, Fran served as vice president of the Technology and Young Children Interest Forum at NAEYC. Fran is a contributing author on technology and social media for Child Care Information Exchange and is a frequent presenter on technology and social media at national conferences. She lives in metropolitan Washington, DC. Karen Nemeth is an education specialist with the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Preschool Education. She earned an MEd in learning, cognition, and development from Rutgers University. For more than 25 years, she has been a teacher, teacher educator, and frequent presenter at national, state, and local education conferences. She is on the executive board of NJ Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/NJ Bilingual Educators and is co-coordinator of the Early Childhood Special Interest Group.