Affordances and obstacles when integrating digital tools into science teaching in preschools

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Although science and technology are viewed as closely related subjects, they are rarely combined in preschools. Purpose This article investigates preschool teachers’ perspectives on integrating digital tools when teaching science, asking how and why they use digital tools, and examining the affordances they experience and obstacles they encounter when incorporating digital tools. Sample Eighteen Swedish preschool teachers volunteered to participate in the study. Design and method Data were collected through group interviews and analyzed using a thematic approach, together with the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, to obtain a more detailed picture of the teachers’ experiences. Results Most of the participants were positive about using digital tools when teaching children science, and they emphasized the need for training on how to use the tools themselves. The preschool teachers viewed digital tools as good complements to other tools when teaching science and to find information about science facts. Moreover, there were generic reasons for using digital tools, such as to stimulate critical reflections among the children, to document activities and to create stimulating learning environments. However, one group of preschool teachers struggled with integrating digital tools when teaching science. Discussion Digitalization in preschools and the rest of society is developing. The preschool teachers found possibilities and challenges in using digital tools when teaching children science. Still, future studies are needed to investigate how this will develop. In addition to the results, we found that TPACK served as a useful framework for analyzing and discussing our results. Therefore, we recommend TPACK when analyzing and discussing the use of digital tools in future preschool studies.