Adding New Possibilities for Visual Art Education in Early Childhood Settings: The Potential of Interactive Whiteboards and ICT

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS, in New Zealand and internationally, are increasingly using information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance learning opportunities for young children in their care. The types of ICTs being used in early childhood settings often include computers, digital cameras, video cameras, and DVD players. The Internet is also being accessed by teachers to assist inquiry-based learning or to find information that builds on children's learning interests. Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs), a relatively new type of ICT, are now being used in some early childhood programs in New Zealand, and this new technology has the potential to add a new dimension to children's visual art learning experiences. This article explores how ICTs, such as IWBs, can add new possibilities for both teaching and learning in the visual arts in early childhood settings.