I am amazed at what Smart Boards can do for Early Childhood Education! I have seen them at work in elementary classrooms, but to look at how they can enhance the early childhood classroom is amazing! Research shows that children are more likely to have longer attention spans with the smart boards and to learn easier and even more content due to the hands on experiences that Smart Boards provide.
Working at a campus childcare center, I see a great need for these - It would enhance us technology wise! Not only does it enhance the education that the children receive even more but it allows teachers to be more organized, align lessons with standards in an easier fashion since the HATCH system comes with the standards already included for Head Start and NAEYC, build digital individual portfolios, capture work samples as they are being done, and it builds on technology for these children whom in this generation are already technological saavy!
I love the integration with this program that allows teachers to compile digital portfolios on each individual child as well as to have Smart Board conferences with families!!! No need for paper as assessments, work samples, videos, pictures and other items are stored within each individual digital portfolio!! AMAZING!!!!
I tried to find a price for this item, but it appears that you have to call to get that information. I am going to check into it though as I definitely believe it would be a good addition to any early childhood education program!
I have included the link below to a You Tube video that shows how an early childhood education classroom has implemented the HATCH Smart Board System into their everyday curriculum. It gives you a better idea of what it would actually look like in the classroom setting.
