A Case Study for the Use of Technology Supported Graphical Organizers in Preschool Children’s Problem Solving

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to integrate preschool children into problem-solving activities, which include graphical organizers such as fishbone diagram, brainstorming and flowchart as cognitive tools in an information technology supported environment. Accordingly, a specific software that prepared based on problem-solving and algorithmic thinking in preschool education was used. Case study method was employed in order to state children's use of graphical organizers, their participation to the classroom interaction and their problem-solving cases. 28 preschool children participated in this study from a public school in Ankara/Turkey. Classroom interaction video records, and flowcharts prepared by children are data collection tools. The results revealed that, problem-solving activities prepared with graphical organizers and ICT-supported environment are appropriate for preschool children. Children actively participated to the activities of understanding the problem, examining the cause-effect relations, producing alternative solutions to problem activities, and they expressed their thoughts.