Nursery Technology

Nursery aged children generally aren't techno snobs or geeks, they don't demand iMacs or Sony Vaios. They don't even demand an operating system, they just want to use the computer - to draw or play a game, just to use it. New PCs or Macs that can run the latest and 'shiniest' applications are expensive, but if someone just wants to 'use' a computer do they really need new?

There is an alternative to Windows and iMacs - it is called Linux and as well as being free, it is also efficient, meaning it can run on older hardware. There is a specific version of Linux aimed at educational users called Edubuntu, it even comes with a set of educational programs.

In terms of specification it will run on a 1GHz processor with 256MB of memory - think 10 year old system. For those of you with out of school programs this is a double bonus, you can use pretty much any system that you have bought over the last 10 years, or even systems that parents have donated.

There are a couple of sites that have large lists of software that run on Linux - OSALT and FLOSS

Edubuntu is fully web compliant so any online games or interactive web sites can be used on an Edubuntu system. With Flash compatability it is even more web savvy than an iPad or an iPhone.

Looking to add some technology(ICT) into Pre-School rooms you could do a lot worse than the Acer Z280G. The compact form factor means it will fit almost anywhere and being an all in one you have less cables to hide. With an 18.5~ screen the Z280 provides a big enough viewing area for a group of children to work on. It has a useful 160GB hard drive and comes with Windows Vista. In keeping with the easy to connect and few cables it also has wireless networking. The system is powered by an Intel Atom processor, but with 2GB of memory offers plenty of performance for the type of 'edutainment' titles to be found in a nursery pre-school. Best thing of a though is the price of around £320. Good value, well built and stylish.

Nurseries today have to use many types of technology on a daily basis in many different ways.

Firstly they need to use technology in the office environment to keep a track of their client records, run payroll and invoicing, deal with e-mail correspondence and more.

Secondly, by their remit of providing a sound early years education, there needs to be some provision of technology actually in the setting for the children to have access to.

Finally there is the need for ancillary technology based equipment such as biometric access systems (door locks and such), CCTV and other video monitoring and recording equipment.

Through this Blog I hope to bring you ideas, products, projects and knowledge. I will try and make your life easier by doing the research for you, so watch this space.