ERIC Number: ED595286
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Apr-28
Pages: 37
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Media and Technology in Preschool Classrooms: Manifesting Prosocial Sharing Behaviors and Theory of Mind
Ralph, Rachel
AERA Online Paper Repository, Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (San Antonio, TX, Apr 27-May 1, 2017)
This empirical study investigated the manifestation of prosocial sharing behaviours and how this interplayed with preschool-aged children's Theory of Mind (ToM), described in cognitive science as one's ability to ascribe mental states to others and how the ascribed states are used to explain and predict the actions f others, when using media and technology, i.e., iPads. The following research questions were explored: 1) In what ways do ToM and the prosocial behaviour of sharing manifest among preschool-aged children interacting with iPads?; 2) What are the effects of iPad use on the manifestation of ToM and prosocial behaviours of sharing among preschool-aged children?; 3) What are the possible connections between a child's ToM and their prosocial behaviour of sharing? The study is grounded in empathy-altruism theory, social exchange theory, and social learning theories. It employed a mixed methods approach that used design-based research (DBR) strategies and video ethnography for data collection. This paper focuses on the final phase with preschool-aged children, a definitive test group (n=5) (three and four years old) early childhood education (ECE) settings. The teaching intervention was tested: 1) Reading digital story "Mine," 2) ToM storybook task battery, 3) demonstration of "Chatterpix Kid," and 4) limited iPad to children ratio using "Chatterpix Kid" to animate pictures taken. Data were analyzed using qualitative open-thematic coding methods and statistical methods, including Chi-square and Cohen's Kappa for agreement. The qualitative and quantitative results indicated that all children participants had ToM attributes and incidents of prosocial behaviours occurred more than nonsocial or antisocial behaviours when using media and technology. The study's findings underscore the importance of exploring "in situ" children's ToM, using point of view wearable cameras, and continued research to understand short and long-term implications of media and technology in early childhood education.
Descriptors: Classroom Environment, Theory of Mind, Prosocial Behavior, Preschool Children, Handheld Devices, Sharing Behavior, Socialization, Empathy, Altruism, Learning Theories, Story Reading, Intervention, Animation, Antisocial Behavior, Multimedia Instruction, Situated Learning, Technology Integration, Foreign Countries, Young Children, Peer Relationship, Interaction, Child Behavior, Video Technology, Computer Software, Photography
AERA Online Paper Repository. Available from: American Educational Research Association. 1430 K Street NW Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-238-3200; Fax: 202-238-3250; e-mail: subscriptions@aera.net; Web site: http://www.aera.net
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
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Author Affiliations: N/A