THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON YOUNG LEARNERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the impact of technology on young learners in early childhood education in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. Research questions were raised. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population for this study comprised twenty (20) teachers from four (4) public primary schools, which gave a total of eighty (80) respondents in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. The research instrument was a questionnaires which was divided into two Sections. Section A elicited information on the personal data of the respondents. Section B consists of sixteen (16) items eliciting information on was set to generate responses from the respondents on the subject matter under investigation. The instrument was validated by the researcher Supervisor and two others at the Institute of Education, University of Benin. The reliability index was ascertained using the cronbach alpha, and yielded a reliability index of 0.8x. The data collected were analysed. The data collected for this study were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The researcher utilized the internal consistency technique to assess the reliability of the instrument in this study, examining the correlation between its items. To evaluate the instrument's reliability, twenty (20) copies were distributed to respondents who were not part of the study. The study revealed that, technology integration in early childhood education promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills among young learners. The study revealed that accessing and utilizing technology resources effectively in early childhood education, supporting their children's use of technology for learning purposes, financial constraints. The study revealed that technology in early childhood education contributes to the development of digital literacy skills among young learners. The study revealed that educators hold positive attitudes towards integrating technology into early childhood education practices. Based on this, it was recommended that there is need for all early childhood education centers in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State have sufficient access to digital devices and reliable internet connectivity to promote equitable learning opportunities.