Supporting Diversity and Technology Integration in Educational Settings

“Educators can create an atmosphere where children feel open to exploring and learning about these [technological] tools to build their curiosity, exploration, and creativity…[and] help children use technology to connect to the world…Creating these authentic experiences will help children discover the meaning of being a digital citizen and a young connector in the 21st century.”

~ “Connected Educator – Connected Learner: The Evolving Roles of Teachers in the 21st century and beyond” in Technology and Digital Media in the Early Years, Armstrong (2015)

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“Children use adults—including educators—as reference points for how to react to others. Understanding one’s own preferences and biases is helpful in determining whether social bias toward certain groups is being perpetuated in classrooms. These biases and preferences may be influencing children’s interactions with peers in their classroom as well as educators’ selection of the activities, projects, books, and images they present in the classroom.

Educators can become more aware of their own biases by dialoguing with other educators and sharing their stories related to their own cultural identity.”

~ Edutopia, “Bias Starts as Early as Preschool, but Can Be Unlearned“,  Armstrong, (2019)