Abstract
This study aims at recognizing both of advantages and disadvantages that computers have by using a large display covered with a touch panel in preschool education. First of all, we studied about principles to realize appropriate design of educational software and interface for practical use by children in preschools, and developed them. Next, we carried out a trial of introducing computers by using a large display covered with a touch panel for temporary cared children. As a result of the trial, the main function of a large display and a touch panel, which enables direct operation on a computer by a fingertip touch on a display, brought out children's spontaneous attitudes to participate to activities. For examples, a child played with it first, some surrounded him gradually and taught him or joined to play as a natural result. In the past, computerization of preschool education was avoided because it was believed that computers obstructed to establish human relationships and deteriorated children's communicating abilities, however, we could show this disadvantage of computers was improved by introducing a large display covered with a touch panel. It will make possible to use computers with enough communications among children in preschool education.
