The Digital Play Framework and the Exploration of Technology Tools

Abstract

The guest blog introduces and explains the theory behind the Digital Play Framework (Bird & Edwards, 2014). By combining Vygotsky’s (1978) concept of tool mediation and Hutt’s (1966) ideas around epistemic and ludic play, the Digital Play Framework provides indicators that can be observed as children learn to use various technologies in early childhood settings. Within the blog, the observation handouts are introduced. The observation handouts take the Digital Play Framework and list the indicators children display as they are trying to learn how to use the various technologies. There are observation handouts for: all technologies, iPads, computers and cameras (still and video). Educators can use these to record when children meet each indicator as a way to assess the children’s technology skills and a way to plot the children’s technology device knowledge on the framework.