Overall I have really
enjoyed this aspect of my course, I have learnt a lot about technology and have
enjoyed reading my groups reflections and their views on how technology can
impact the learning and development of children in early childhood settings. I
strongly believe that the use of technology in early child is extremely
important because these children are the future and in order to become an integral
part of the future they need to have a good understanding of technology as it
is the future for us all. This is
supported by Talay-Ongan (2005) which states “Technology-integrated toys
provide children with opportunities to plan and to solve problems, and to
improve their technical and creative skills” and “These experiences offer
children new and dynamic ways of playing with toys that promote spatial skills,
reasoning and communication of ideas” (p.227).
There are many different
forms of technology that allow children to learn a variety of new skills and
draw upon these skills to use in their everyday lives. Some of these skills
include communication, exploration, creativity, and fine and gross motor skills.
This is supported by Ministry of Education (1996) which states “Children
develop strategies for actively exploring and making sense of the world by
using their bodies, including active exploration with all the senses, and the
use of tools, materials, and equipment to extend skills” (p.86).
I also believe that
using technology brings people together and allows children to build
relationships with the adults and peers in their environment. It allows
children to discuss their theories on how things work, contribute to
discussions on technology and also allows them to teach their knowledge to
others. This is supported by Ministry of Education (1996) which states “Children
develop strategies and skills for initiating, maintaining, and enjoying a
relationship with other children – including taking turns, problem solving,
negotiating, taking another’s point of view, supporting others, and
understanding other people’s attitudes and feelings – in a variety of contexts”
(p.70).
I was very impressed
with the comments that I have received from my peers on my reflections. I feel
that this process is very thought provoking as it allows us to get our peers
support in extending the use of technology within our centres. I particularly liked
Sarajanes comment to me on my blog about the camera. She gave me a very useful
idea of using the photos that the child had taken and creating a matching game.
I had not thought of doing such an activity and I believe that this would
extend his learning by revisiting his experience with the camera in a new and
exciting way. I am going to create this matching game with his help at my
centre and allow him to choose what photos he would like to be a part of the
game.
I also felt that Lucy’s
comment to me on my blog about the camera was also very useful and I really
like how she has added a website for me to get other ideas on how to use the
camera with children. I looked into this website and I amazed at all the
different activities that were listed on this site. I have used the camera in
the past with a group of children who took photos of the sunflowers everyday to
see how much they had grown of time. This is a great experience to use with
children. I have seen on this site the idea of making emotion flash cards which
I would like to do with the children at my centre and also making a story out
of the photographs taken by the children. Because of this site I have realised that
there are many activities to use the camera with.
I enjoyed reading
Krissys comment on my laptop blog and was inspired by her mention of hector’s
world. This is a site that I had never heard of before. I looked into this site
and realised how useful it is to use. I talked to my centre manager about the
site and showed it to her. She was impressed by the site and allowed me to
print out the password activity to do with the children. I used this activity
with the older children in the kindy room and they loved having the
responsibility of creating their own passwords for the computer. I believe that
Krissy made a valid point by giving me this site to visit as it is very
important to ensure that the children are taught how to safely protect
themselves while on the computer.
References:
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā
mokopuna o Aotearoa : Early childhood
curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
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