A very big thank you to my team for all the feedback on my blog. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for guiding me through our blogging session. All your feedback has been a great help in completing my blogs.
“New Zealand is part of a world
revolution in communication, technology, work, and leisure. Change in these and
other spheres is a feature of everyday life” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.
18). As a learner my understanding of technology is developing and I see
technology as a perspective or thread to mathematics, science or literacy
skills in children’s learning experiences (Smorti, 1999).
In order to foster children’s
learning I have encouraged children the use of ICT in a meaningful way. I have
made the classroom laptop available to students by setting it up on a table
with three chairs for them to easily access the laptop. The children are
viewing pictures taken on their first week back from the festive holidays. There
is a diary displayed alongside the laptop with all the same pictures with
captions of what happened. The display of the diary and the laptop allows
parents to share the pictures and celebrate their children’s achievements.
While the children were viewing the pictures they recognised themselves and
their friends and recalled what happened, this gave them a sense of belonging.
Browsing the pictures gives children the immediate positive feedback as they
see the pictures displayed.
I have realised the importance of ICT
in the early childhood setting as a natural part of their learning experience.
To assist their learning I provided support by scaffolding them on how to use
the mouse. I enhanced their learning by using open ended questioning techniques
to prompt children’s recall and reading skills while looking at the photos. I
am aware that the use of technology allows children to learn how to use their imagination;
it builds on their literacy skills and social competence and confidence (Ministry
of Education, 1996). As children are paging with the mouse I have encouraged
them to use their mathematical skills by counting as they go along. I have
recognised that the use of the mouse has increased their exploration,
investigation skills and turn taking. I have also observed the learning that is
taking place by use of the mouse. The children are developing their fine and
gross motor skills and hand an eye co-ordination as they browse through.
Technology is an ever increasing tool
of awareness of the world we are living in and is continuing to bring about
change through technology (Smorti, 1999). As a teacher I have to provide
resources for children to participate in technology for children to develop
confidence and the capacity to acquire new knowledge and skills ( Smorti, 1999).
Personally I have been challenged in extending their knowledge in computers but
was surprised how confidently they moved the mouse to browse.
Their use of the laptop created a social
interaction and peer scaffolding moments which benefitted their cognitive
skills and problem-solving growth (Talay-Ongen, 2005). I am aware that children
experience the use of technology at home through games, internet, Skype and
many more; all these employ emergent curriculum approaches for learning.
Student-initiated mathematics and science investigation with effective use of
digital cameras to capture and reflect on the process, their findings could be
recorded using appropriate software (Talay-Ongen, 2005).
Technology is structured in three
different strands which are Technological Practice, Technological Knowledge and
Nature of Technology (Ministry of Education, 2003). The technological practice
strand allows students to examine the practice undertaken by others and attempt
their own. Technological knowledge strand allows children to understand how and
why things work, use of material properties and understanding the constituent
parts of why systems operate the way they do. Nature of technology strand
allows children to understand and appreciate the socially embedded nature of
technology ( Ministry of Education, 2003). This observation has made me realise
that children are teachers too, and I am never too old to learn more about
technology. However I need to keep in mind that ICT alone does not improve
children’s learning opportunities we as educators must use it thoughtfully. I also have an obligation to move into the children's world of tecnology to sustain their interst.
Reference
List
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā
mokopuna o
Aotearoa: Early childhood
curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand:
Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. Wellington,
New Zealand: Learning Media.
Talay-Ongan, A., & Ap, E. A. (Eds.). (2005). Child development and teaching young
Children. Southbank,
Australia: Thomson Social Science Press.
Smorti,
S. (1999, Autumn) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, No. 19.
Autumn 1999
Gloria, it was good to read your personal reflection on technology which was a thorough expression of your learning as well as the children’s. I feel that we all are learners and we are still learning along with the children. It is good to provide children with technologies where they get to explore freely and by viewing their pictures along with their stories they feel the sense of belonging. It is good to hear that you supported children along this process. What age group did you provide this learning experience to? It is also a good idea that along with this process you are asking children open ended questions where they can personally use their imagination and tell you their stories. I like this moment the best as an educator where children make up stories and tell us. It is so cute! You have looked at lots of literatures and got some excellent information out of them. In general, it was an excellent reflection.
ReplyDeleteGloria, it was a pleasure to read your reflection and see your journey in learning and developing along side with children regarding technology in your centre. It was good to see that you provided children with an opportunity to explore through a laptop and view their pictures, I believe this was allowing children to recall the experience and photos are a way children feel the sense of belonging in the centre. You have used lots of good quotes to support what you are saying. Gloria I was really liked the part where you mention about asking open ended questions as this leaves children to think and deepen their understanding as well. Since you were working with group of children, I believe that you were also role modelling children as during this process educators should give equal opportunities for all children to explore and learn. Over all it was a very good reflection on your learning as well as children’s learning. Kia kaha!
ReplyDeleteGloria I really liked the fact that you used technology to allow children to view pictures based on children’s life which I guess is very important for children as this will make them feel a sense of belonging within the centre. It was good to see that you supported the child’s learning. You have supported your blog with good quotes. As an educator I feel that the strategies you used to extend on the child’s learning by asking them open ended questions was a very useful technique to recall those moments. It was good to see that you provided each child with the same learning opportunity and it was also good to see you developing knowledge towards digital technology while working alongside the children. Overall this was a good reflection keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteKia ora Gloria
ReplyDeleteI like the way you introduced children the use of ICT skills in meaningful way. The children seemed exited to see the picture of themselves and their friends. It is good to see that you allowed children to use the mouse and explore investigation skills and taking turns. Through these experiences children identify the uses of technology in their everyday lives. Computer plays significant role in children life these days. I agree with you that ICT is important and natural part of early childhood curriculum. Iram and Siraj-Blatchford (2006) mention that we need to provide activities that encourage children to explore the technological affordance of a range of ICT tools and encourage them to apply in play activities in early years. I believe that we should encourage children to observe and talk about the use of ICT in their daily activities. It is good to see that children develop different skill through this activity such as problem solving, imagination and cognitive skills. Well done.
Hi Gloria
ReplyDeleteI liked your blog very much on the computer. It was nice to see the way you set up the laptop activity and provide a scaffolding environment for the children. As an early childhood teacher, you encourage children to use digital technological and provide enough resources for children to participate. Children are developing their fine and gross motor skills and hand and eye co-ordination as use the mouse. You show them the confidence to encourage them, which was very good. You also use the open- ended question strategy, which is good for children to explore their world. I totally agree with you children develop social competence, sharing, problem solving skills by interacting with each other being responsible and respectful for each other them. You made them to think that computer technology is very important and a quick way to get knowledge. These types of activities will support to children’s confidence use technology. Overall, very good reflection, Kaipai.