Building InterACTTive Futures

This curriculum guide presents a comprehensive approach to using technology with children. Chapter 1 presents the curriculum's philosophy and identifies benefits and applications of technology for young children. Chapter 2 looks at the learning environment (including preschool environments, birth to three environments, and environments for children with severe disabilities) and offers guidelines for purchasing and using computer equipment. Chapter 3 is on family participation and offers suggestions for children ages birth to 3, 3 to 5, and with severe disabilities, as well as suggestions for conducting a family computer workshop. Chapter 4 is on technology assessment, while chapter 5 focuses on switches and switch adaptations. A potpourri of curriculum activities is described in chapter 6, organized around specific software packages. Procedures for customizing activities are contained in chapter 7, including adaptations for children with motor, visual, or auditory impairment. The appendix contains resource information on software, adaptive equipment, off-computer materials, technology-related organizations, and World Wide Web sites. (Contains an index.) (DB)