Why do you need to teach kids how to use technology?

When people first learn about technology classes, they often wonder, “Why do you need to teach kids how to use technology?” With over two decades experience teaching these skills to young children, we believe the answer is simple… You don’t! Using technology is natural for kids. They learn to use it as soon as they start clicking the mouse and tapping the keyboard. We don’t teach kids how to use technology; we teach them why to use technology. The difference is huge.

If a child only experiences a computer as something to play games on, they may get to be quick with the mouse or fast on the keyboard, but they are not really learning to use technology as a meaningful skill. However, when a child is given an age-appropriate way to apply technology skills to find information, communicate and share ideas, and solve problems – you begin to unlock a child’s true potential to use technology to learn.

Imagine Tomorrow’s philosophy on learning is powerful because it centers on the idea that kids learn best when they have a purpose. Too many websites and computer software programs have kids clicking through games for no reason other than to get to the next level or earn more points. Even an educational activity that teaches a skill like letters or numbers loses its potential when it is delivered in isolation and without a purpose. This is why Imagine Tomorrow thoughtfully builds each lesson around a story that teaches children to use a new technology skill to solve a funny, child-friendly problem. We give them a reason why.

For example in one episode children go on a mission to fix the sprinklers at File Farm that are spraying sugar instead of water and turning the fruits and vegetables into candy. To solve the mission they learn why it is important to save your file when you are done working on it. The goal of this lesson is not to just teach kids how to Save a File, but to make sure they understand why you need to save a file.
Technology is going to keep changing throughout their lifetime. If you teach children more than just how, but really give them an understanding of why, they will continue to be able to adapt and apply their skills to whatever type of technology they are using.