Preschool teachers` opinion about the development of technology related skills in kindergarten

Abstract

Preschool is the stage of formal education responsible for establishing key competencies. The “Early Childhood Education Curriculum” currently in force in Romania lists digital competencies as one of the key competencies but does not specify how and with what content these can be developed in preschool. The literature emphasizes that it is possible and necessary to develop these competencies starting from preschool age. This research presents the opinions and experiences of preschool teachers on the introduction of technological knowledge in preschool, with special emphasis on the development of algorithmic and computer thinking. The research tool is an online questionnaire developed by the authors, which contains both closed and open questions. The questionnaire was filled out by 115 preschool teachers. The results show that preschool teachers do not consider the introduction of technological knowledge very important in preschool; and less than half of the respondents tried to introduce such knowledge into the activities. The development of algorithmic thinking is considered important by 91% of preschool teachers, and three-quarters of them see it implemented during various preschool activities. However, the programming of educational robots was mentioned by only 6% of the respondents and only one third had heard about these robots. Regarding the development of technological competences and algorithmic thinking, the main hindering factor is the inadequate preparedness of preschool teachers, training in this direction would be necessary.