The digitalisation of early childhood education and the generational order in change? Tensions between early childhood educators and children in the midst of digital technology

Authors

• Merja Koivula Jyväskylän yliopisto
• Marleena Mustola

Abstract

There has recently been a rapid change in the practices of day care centres due to the availability of new digital technology. Especially tablet computers have become part of the daily practices and pedagogy of early childhood education (ECE). In this article, we highlight the tensions created by the use of tablet computers in early childhood education as the children and the ECE teachers strive to navigate the altered technological environment together as well as separately. These tensions seem to have an effect on the generational order within ECE institutions: in technological competence and identity, the children appear as the more capable and competent generation. This is a finding that highlights the interconnectedness of the use of digital technologies and the generational order.