Let's Try ICT Project

Optimised for Internet Explorer 8.x+, Mozilla Firefox 4.x+, Google Chrome 10.x+, Safari 4.x+ and Opera 10.x+ with a resolution of 1280x1024px minimum.

Let's Try I©T

Mobile APPs and Tools for Early Childhood Education & Care

Overview

Outcomes

Project Overview

Overview

Let's Try I©T is a European project within the frame of Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships. From 1.10.2015 until 30.9.2017 the project focuses on the usage of mobile APPs and other helpful IT-Tools in the context of ECEC (Early Childhood Education and Care). The usage of these tools shall be increased by information tools (e.g. web based 'APP Advisor') and information campaigns.

Background

ICT tools in ECEC (Early childhood-education and Care) as a means to increase the quality and efficiency of services could be used in the direct support of the beneficiaries (children with disabilities, at risk or for their families) and within institutional quality management.

The appropriate use of IT can facilitate the development of skills for children such as language development, literacy in preschool or communication for preverbal children.

However a remarkable gap between the vast amount of available ICT tools for high quality learning support in ECEC and the scarce usage of these ICT tools by professional can be observed (Brito, 2010).

ICT is also not an integrative part of ECEC professional training curricula in CE for special kindergarten teachers, or other Early childhood specialists.

Main obstacles address:

Lack of professional training with regard to the usage
Skepticism concerning the impact or possible “side effects” (addiction or social withdrawal)
Lack of information and comparability (which tools are useful, which are “crap”)
Lack of mobile devices in ECEC services

To increase skills, knowledge and awareness of ECEC professionals with regard to learning-support APPS for vulnerable children towards higher effectiveness of ECEC services
Enabling blended learning processes within a community of practice, using prior experience with community of practice approaches in other sectors (comparable e.g. to 'tripadvisor').
To narrow the observable gap between available research/technology in ICT for vulnerable children and operative lack of transfer towards professionals in ECEC by tutoring pathways - in order to increase the quality of services and their output (e.g. preacademic skills)

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein..