People, Place, Things and Events Group Project: 2012

Friday 31 August 2012

Final Reflection

Personal Reflection

Date: 31/August/2012

I have to say, this journey of exploring technology it has been an astonishing experience for me. When I think for a moment, I have come to recognize the importance role of technology and influence in our lives. Just thinking back in history in how technology did not exists but people still survive; but having the thought of living without it, it is almost impossible. In this modern world most children will experience a huge amount of technologies as a part of their everyday living routine. (Authur, Beecher, Death, Docket & Farmer, 2008)

It is actually remarkable and at the same time frightening to see how much today’s world dependent on technology. This course really teaches the truth of what technology means, from a ballpoint and paper to an iphone, digital camera, and laptop. The essential core is the learning amount that fit in between for our children which is completely interesting and exciting. This course has given me such valuable and wonderful opportunities for new discovery. This includes being aware that not only can adults acquire understanding about technology but they can also learn about it while increasing the skills to use it confidently. Having and gaining this knowledge and skills are crucial in terms of my role as an early childhood teacher. This has made me realize my responsibility in helping and ensuring active learning takes place for children in this technological modern world of today.

This have been a challenging, interesting, and frustrating experience with technology while doing this blog assignment, it really enforced me to evaluate and transform my thinking and practice to this idea of technology even though I did not have much knowledge of it at all. This experience was a eye opening for me and made me realizing the significance and the use of technology in the early childhood context as a valuable, open ended resource in terms of upholding children’s learning. Technology is an amazing tool in the early childhood setting for it allows teachers to basically adjust the programme in order to meet the needs of the children. (Smorti, 1999)

This technological journey, it has made me so excited towards gaining of new knowledge on technology not only for the children but it applies to my personal live. Often, I didn't really have an interest in wanting to use the latest technology for example ipad because I would feel shame of not knowing how to use it or incase I'll brake it. It takes me a while to discover how to use it and though it was a stressful experience I’ve now officially have a blog page!!!!

Through this process of adapting and finding my own way there has been some difficult moments for me but I have to say, I wasn’t alone. This is something that I’ve found that inspired me how our class work in unity by sharing knowledge and skills to help out one another. The best part that I really enjoy was getting others perspectives and we were able to discovered technology together through our learning process with the children. I found these feedback really helpful me and be able to reflect on my practice and potentially take in new ideas for next time.

Overall, this course has help me gain more knowledge and understanding about technology. I now realize the significance of technology to children and adults in our everyday living. The truth is in reality, we do interact with technology on daily basis in unquestionable, which control the learning needs and hopes of the generation we are teaching. My personal philosophy is to make a difference and if technology is what it takes to make that change I’m will do my best to make it happen. I would like to finish of with what Smorti (2009) says “technology is about helping people and solve problem” (p. 5)

References

Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., & Farmer, S. (2008). Programming and planning in early childhood settings (4^th ed). Melbourne, Australia: Gengage Learning.

Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in Early Childhood. Early Education, 19, 5-10.

Monday 27 August 2012

Computer

23 August 2012

Computer Explorers

Technology exsists almost everwhere in the world greater than ever before where the world have formed by people and change in the course of technology (Smorti, 1999). Since technology has become more accessible and expanded it's communication purposes, children who come to our centre have already had that 'fund of knowledge'. This sometimes can be problematic in how teacher’s underestimate children of how much they know about technology. (Hatherly, 2009)
At our center we have only have one computer and it is positioned only at our preschooler's classroom. It is a previlege for these age group to have access to the use of computer which they love to take advantage of. The computer is at the same height as the children which makes it more accessible for them. As an educator I believe that it is vital for the children to have access to the computer because children can simply determine when the computer is available. Having this piece of technology available to our children is hugely beneficial. Children interact with each other which encourage them to learn and discover from one another and it also support their language development.

The available software for the children is all developmental programme and age appropriate for this age group. I’ve noticed that the advantages of these learning software is enormous. It increases children’s thinking skills, non-verbal communication when engaging in the computer activity; most significantly in construction of their knowledge. I noticed, the children who will first approach the computer or are most likely to on it are those who have had experience it. I can tell by the way they actively approach, excited and ready to explore. Software icon is displayed on the desktop so children can choose what programme they like. Those children who have prior computer experiences know what to click?, what they like to learn? what their expecting? what comes next? By observing and interacting with the children while on the computer as beneficial as I am learning with the children.

I noticed that there are also some children who find using the computer a bit frightening. There is a four year old girl who I’ve seen always starring at the computer while other children enjoying themselves in the computer. When I approach her she said “she might break the computer”. I feels that she needs more encouragement, motivation and support to get familiar this technological equipment. From this situation it reveals how crucial it is for us teacher’s to be aware of each child’s needs and to be able to respond. (Ministry of Education, 1996) With pleasure I introduced this child on how to use the computer. I first read her a story from the computer and she was so surprised that using a computer is same as reading a book. It was an astonishing transformation from being scared to slowly engaging with this resource. By giving here that opportunity she felt valued and most importantly a sense of belonging within the context. It is up to her if she wants to continue exploring the computer. It is important for me to give children the opportunity to have access of technology. Ministry of Education (2007) states that “our vision is for young people who will be creative, energetic, and enterprising….who will be confident, connected, actively involved, and lifelong learners”

Reference List

Hatherly, A. (2009). ICT and the greatest technology: A teacher’s mind. Early Childhood Folio, 13(1), 7-11.

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.

Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 1, 5-10.

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Digital Camera

22 August 2012

Exploring with digital camera

These days technology visible everywhere. I believe the most useful type of technology that is used in most centres is the digital camera. It is hugely beneficial for our children and the staff. Introducing the camera to the children gives them a chance to keep up to date with the modern world of technology. (Ministry of Education, 2007) In our centre there are two digital cameras, one for the children and one for the staff. This piece of technological equipment is made available between the over 2’s to 5 years of age. I find it fascinating that it is mostly our girls who makes use of this opportunity to interact with the camera. Children will use the camera to take pictures of themselves or their friends or just about anything that looks appealing to them.Through this children are empowering themselves, after gaining the skills they are able to scaffold others; in showing them and discussing about the camera works. Smorti (1999) talks about the "process approach to technology, it is the doing that is important rather than the product" (p. 6)

Children took photo of almost everything, even the tiny ants and as far to the bluish clouds up in the sky. The uniqueness of this experience, is how children put their own interpretation which at times differ from the way we teachers’ read it. Children also make new discoveries by taking pictures of the natural environment outdoors. From that new finding, "children develop the ability to represent their discoveries, using creative and expressive media and technology associated with them," (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 88).

Digital camera is used in our centre as tool to document children’s learning and teachers file them in their portfolio folder. Children can view their own profiles during play time and they can also take it home to share with their families which motivate the parents to get involved in the children's learning and their work is taken seriously in a respectful manner. This is beneficial to the children and their families as they are included in their children's learning especially for those parents who are busy and don’t have any time to view their children’s work.

With the child photographs teachers also able to compile a story book about the children activity. They always love to look at their photo book which is an exciting experience because it makes them happy.This experience it motivates and inspires social interaction among the children. (Doyle & Connolly, 1980)

This tool helps the children retell or revisit their learning experience by discussing it with their peers. In sharing their opinion, I realised that they use new words which helps improve their vocabulary. According to Ellis & Scoter (2001), “studies highlight the opportunities for language use and interaction that technology offers children" (p. 9)

Overall, camera plays an important role in the digital technology side of today's education. Thus, I believe it should be made available inside the early childhood classroom for the children to use; for there is a lot of exploring and new finding to be done and this piece of technological tool will help them discover that.

Reference List

Doyle, A., & Connolly, J. (1980). The effect of playmate familiarity on the social interactions of young children. Child Development, 51, 217-223.

Ellis & Van Scoter, (2001) Technology in Early childhood Education: Finding the Balance. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory.

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2009). Foundations of early childhood education: Teaching children in a diverse society (4^th ed.). Boston, Ma: McGraw Hill.

Ministry of Education, (1996). 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.

Smorti, S. (1999). Technology in Early Childhood. Early Education, no. 19 Autumn 1999.