Internet of toys across home and early childhood education: understanding the ecology of the child's social world. Issue 4 (8th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arnott, Lorna; Palaiologou, Ioanna; Gray, Colette
• Is Part Of: Technology, pedagogy and education. Volume 28:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 401
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2019-08-08
• Subjects: Digital childhood -- Internet of Things (IoT) -- Internet of Toys (IoToys) -- ecologies -- home/education divide -- play -- early childhood education; Educational technology -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Teachers -- Training of -- Great Britain -- Computer-assisted instruction -- Periodicals; Teachers -- Training of -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 371.33
• DOI: 10.1080/1475939X.2019.1656667
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-939X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article presents findings from an ongoing international study of children's use of Internet-connected toys (IoToys) across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Greece. The authors sought to investigate practices with IoToys across homes and early childhood settings. Data from 12 case study families and approximately 200 children who interacted with case study children in early childhood settings were collected alongside interviews with parents and educators. Findings indicate that digital difference between home and education is recurring due to infrastructure and budgetary issues in early childhood settings, resulting in organic play-based IoToy use at home versus structured adult-directed teaching of IoToys in early childhood practice. Working from a social-ecological theoretical frame however demonstrated that children skilfully and fluidly transitioned between digital and non-digital play and across diverse socio ecological contexts of home and early childhood settings.