Technologies are getting advanced in this generation so as early childhood educators we should encourage and provide opportunities for them to use and explore digital technologies in the setting. Through the use of technology children expand knowledge particular to scientific schemes and natural world. They gain understanding of how and why things work (The New Zealand Curriculum, 2007).
One morning while we were outside one of the boys saw a butterfly. He came to me and asked if I can catch it for him but it flew away. I asked and offered him if he wants to find some pictures of butterflies on the internet and then we can print it off. He said ‘yes’ and then we went inside so he gets an opportunity to use the computer and find pictures of butterflies as per his interest. ‘N’ went and sat at the computer table and I guided him through the process of turning the computer on and going on internet explorer, when Google search came up he typed up the word ‘butterfly’ himself but I told him the correct spelling. He confidently explored through the images and I printed one picture and showed him the process of how we can print images from the computer. He then chose two more butterfly images and printed it by himself. Te Whāriki suggests children develop the ability to represent their discoveries, using creative and expressive media and the technology associated with them (Ministry of Education, 1996). I only showed him once but he got the idea of it so quickly, I believe that children are like sponges whatever we tell or show them they copy it very fast.
As an educator, I feel that I provided opportunity for this child to explore the computer and through this technology he got a chance to find pictures of his interest. Ministry of Education (1996, cited in Smorti, 1999) states that “in order to participate in this world, our children will need the confidence to develop their own perspectives as well as the capacity of continue acquiring new knowledge and skills” (p.5). I consider that I should have asked this child if he knew how to turn on and use the computer and I should have had a conversation with the child about this technology and see if he had knowledge about it. I feel that at the beginning I was directing the child where to go and which links to click. When I realised that I was giving him too much information at once I allowed the child to explore for himself because I became aware that I was rushing him. 
Information and communication technology helps in children’s learning dispositions. Children develop self-esteem and confidence. Through this process the child was developing on his fine motor skills and hand and eye co-ordinations. I believe that this learning experience allowed the child to explore and broaden his knowledge about the simple of using a computer. “Research has confirmed that for many children the computer is a catalyst for information sharing, language development and decision making” (Tsantis, Bewick & Thouvenelle, 2003, p.7). By the use of this technology children gain many benefits such as exploration skills, problem solving, manipulation and symbolic representation.
References
Images: Retrieved 17/03/12 from Google Images http://www.google.co.nz/
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, He whāriki matauranga mo nga mokopuna o Āotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. New Zealand: Learning Media.
Smorti, S. (1999, Autumn) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 19.
Tsantis, L. A., Bewick, C. J., & Thouvenelle, S. (2003). Examining some common myths about computer use in the early years. Young Children, 58(1), 1-9.
Shahbeeha I agree that through technology children expand knowledge in scientific schemes and natural world. It was good to see you observing the child’s interest and then extending his interest through the use of technology. But I am wondering that what age group did you work with? It was good to see that you provided the opportunity for the child to explore it was good to see you reflecting on your teaching and questioning yourself. I am glad that you realised that you were rushing the child and as an educator I also feel that children need time to explore and experiment with objects weather it has to deal with technology or other things. It was good to see you reflecting on the child’s learning outcome through this learning process. Through reading this reflection I learnt that research confirmed that for many children computers are a catalyst for information sharing, language development and decision making which I was not aware of overall it was a good reflection.
ReplyDeleteHi Shahbeeha
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you, you realised how you were being incharge and allowed the child to seek the understanding of how to do it for himself. Allowing children to do it for themselves helps them discover new knowledge and grows their confidence of learning.It is also great to read your personal learning of the development that is taking place for the child. In order to extend their knowledge for me personally I have learnt that using open-ended questions and prompts have worked out very well.
Imagine if there was no technology? What would you have done to help that child capture that interesting moment that flew away from him. You also encouraged him by suggesting another method of living that curious moment for him.Computers also offer children many senses which create exploration without the fear of making mistakes. Reflective practice allows you to search deeper within yourself on how you can extend and encourage social and emotional development using conversation and real life connections (Yang, 2009)for children.
Computers in the classroom increase children's gains from appropriate use of software.To allow the children reap a better understanding of software safety we as teachers need to educate them by scaffolding them through the 'do's and dont's'of computers.
Working with the older children will also challenge you because they ask a lot of questions about technology therefore it pays to be more computer literate. For me personally there is lots of room for improvement in computer knowledge because soon I will be having to write learning stories and the use of other technology material being used in the different centres. Even using the 'Blog' has been a confusing journey for me. Hopefully after all these reflections I will be a 'Master' incomputers.
Good luck on your next reflection hope I will be more supportive in our learning as a group.
Hi Shahbeeha
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to reading your blog. I agree with all that you have said throughout the reflection. Computers are great tool for learning and can have many wonderful benefits for children. As an Early childhood teacher you providing opportunities for children to experiences and begin to understand different ways of technology works is, it is what as a teacher you need to do. I believe that computer is great tools for cognitive development. Children are very quick learner and try to copy everything whatever they see around them. These days technology has being used for improving teaching and learning in many interesting ways. Teacher’s responsibility having a basic concept of teaching. This basic concept will foster and extend children’s technological knowledge. Children love to explore things around them. As a teacher, we should give children the opportunity to be familiar with technology.
Kia ora Shahbeeha
ReplyDeleteI agree with you as educator we need provide opportunities for children to explore digital technology. As we see in our practice young children love to explore pretended and figure thing out. I observed from your blog that you followed the children’s interest and extend their learning by showing the images of butterflies. You support the children to turn on computer and access to internet. Through writing and correcting words the children extend their literacy skills. I really like the way you use the computer with children, giving them opportunities to discover and explore about technology. I appreciated that you provided a place and individualized instruction by allow the children to work at their own skill levels. I believe that computer is a great tool for cognitive development. Pratt Prairie (2005), mentions that kindergarteners at the computer can easily learn the basic skills for using software. They can also use the computer for enhance number concept, creativity, and problem solving. Well done.