Laptop- Digital Technology
Technology
will become essential for everyone in coming years and as educators we need to
prepare our children for the technological world. Educators should encourage
young children to explore and use the technology in their daily lives.
Educators also need the knowledge and understanding of how to use technology
and how it benefits the children. Educators in early childhood setting need to
broaden their understanding of technology in order to scaffold children’s
learning in this area (Smorti, 1999).
“New Zealand is part of a world revolution in communication, technology,
work, leisure. Change in these and other spheres is a feature of everyday life
and children need the confidence to develop their own perspective and capacity
to continue acquiring new knowledge and skills” (Ministry of Education, 1996,
p. 18).
It
was raining on Monday afternoon so all children were indoors. There were a lot
of children and the noise level was reaching its peak. I took this as an
opportunity to foster children’s learning in ICT in a meaningful way. I brought
my laptop and set it on the table. Suddenly a group of children surrounded the
table and I divided them into groups of four and asked them to take turns. I
asked the first group what they wanted to see. Child P excitedly said tractors.
Since our interest at the moment is transport, I thought it would be ideal to
extend on children’s knowledge based on their interest. I asked child P to go
on to internet by clicking the internet icon and then I asked another child O
to enter tractor as I spelled it for them. Soon they were looking at the
pictures of tractors. I showed them how to scroll using the mouse and they
started exploring very confidently by clicking various buttons.
I
have recognized that ICT is very important in promoting children’s learning in
early childhood setting. Children are able to explore and learn about the
physical parts of the computer such as monitor, key board and mouse and also
are learning how to use the computer to find relevant information. I supported
children’s learning by scaffolding them how to use the mouse. I asked them
open-ended questions which allowed them to recall and relate to the pictures of
tractors we have seen in the books over the month. Engaging with technology
allows children use their imagination, develop literacy skills, and build self
esteem, social competence and confidence by exploring the wider world (Ministry
of Education, 1996).
From
using the laptop, children have enhanced their peer interaction. While working
with their peers with ICT, children learnt to ask questions, give instructions
and develop vocabulary (Santrock, 2011). Social interaction and scaffolding
developed their cognitive and problem-solving skills. By taking turns on the
laptop and the mouse, children are exploring and investigating the technology and
learning to take turns. They are building their fine and gross motor skills and
also their hand and eye coordination while they scroll through.
I
found it challenging when I had only one computer and there were so many
children who wanted to explore this technology. I think I used an effective
grouping strategy to involve small group meaningful interaction to provide for
the best possible learning for these children (ManNauhgton & Williams,
2009). Our world is becoming more technological day after day and we need to
have the awareness of technological world that we live in today. Our children
need to build the confidence and must continue to acquire the new knowledge and
skills (Smorti, 1999). As an educator, I have enhanced children’s knowledge and
skills on using the laptop. Some children were aware of how to use laptops
while some needed little guidance such as using the mouse and I was amazed to
see how fast they grasp the information through hands-on experience.
As an early childhood educator, I also
need to acquire the knowledge and the skills in ICT to incorporate thoughtful
and meaningful use of ICT to support children “to
grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind,
body, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that
they make a valued contribution to society” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.
9).
I would like to share a
video about nine year old Microsoft certified computer engineer who was
inspired by her father at the age of three. Follow the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpCWGpWX1jc
Reference
MacNaughton,
G., & Williams, G. (2009). Techniques
for teaching young children: Choices
in theory and practice (3rd ed). Frenchs Forrest, Australia:
Pearson Education Australia.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He
whāriki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna ö
Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Santrock, J.W. (2010). Lifespan development: International student edition (12th ed.).Boston , Ma., United States of America :
McGraw Hill.
Smorti, S. (1999). Technology in Early Childhood. Early Education, No. 19 Autumn 1999.
You really used good teaching strategies to help children's learning in ICT. Yes, the world is changing and becoming more technologically advanced. Our responsibility as taechers have increased as we have to create a population who will be confident users of technology.Also while doing this we need to be mindful of how we do this so that children reap the benefits of technology. They are not misguided. When we introduce children to technology we are actaully enabling them to explore and investigate these gadgets (Ministry of Education, 1996).
ReplyDeleteClements (2013), notes that in addition to improving children's sense of control, using computers improves their self-esteem. As technology moved into the 21st century, being "computer literate" is like being able to read and write.
The following link shows how ipads were used to help children with autism learn
http://www.squidoo.com/ipad-for-autism
I agree Rose that world is changing rapidly and technology is a integral part of the socity. Technology is taking over everything.I remember rose when I was young if someone has computer or they know how to use computers; we usually say them "wow you know how to operate computers"or"wow you have computer. But nowadays if someone has no computer, laptop or Ipad. People say "what? you donot have computer" or you donot know how to operate it. we feel quite shoked if someone does not know about the google, facebook,youtube etc. People feel he/she may be from a different planet. You have used various teaching strategies to enhance the children's learning on laptop such as facilitation,scafolding, encourgement,questioning (MacNaughton & William, 2009). Through this experience children have learnt many social skill such as turn taking, sharing and developed problemsolving skills. while exploring the laptops children learnt new vocabulary such as: mouse, keyboard, screen, touch etc. Also as you explained that some children already had knowledge about the laptops they can share their knowledge with their peers and educators. it is good way of starting their private conversations (Ministry of Education, 1996). Educators can step back and observe and hear children's conversations. I also acknowlede that we have limited resources in our centres. Therefore sometimes we face challenge when all children want to use it. Grouping is a good idea to share the resources. we can make small group and allot them a day or special time for them. so they will know that they can use laptops when they have their turn. Having thses kinds of resources gives children more time to explore and also one on one conversation with educator. Supervision is also a key element when young children use computers or laptops because the equipment is expensive and is electrical—both of which can pose concerns. For example, very young children often approach these tachnology with the same curiosity and sense of exploration that they approach “toys. It takes time for children to understand that although laptops are fun to “play with” they are not a toy like other toys (Wood, 2009).
ReplyDeleteHi Rozleen, I agree with you that we are in technology world as an educator we should know all the technology before we teach children. I remember when I was young first time I saw computer where we bought our TV. I was keep looking on computer screen it was look interesting. But now a day’s computer is very common. If you don’t know how to use computer or ipad they laugh on you. Presently in technology world TV is also coming smart and touch screen TV. You just press your remote control and go to internet and brose your YouTube and Facebook. i got ipad one day I was shocked when my two years old daughter watching ‘peppa pig’ on her ipad. In New Zealand mission height school children not allowed to use pen and paper at school. They need to use only computer. “New Zealand is part of a world revolution in communication, technology, work, leisure. Change in these and other spheres is a feature of everyday life and children need the confidence to develop their own perspective and capacity to continue acquiring new knowledge and skills” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 18). It would be best to extend on children’s knowledge based on their interest. Through this experience children learnt new terminology such as: keyboard, mouse, screen, touch, numbers etc. You have also used various teaching strategies to enhance the children's learning on laptop such as scaffolding, facilitation, encouragement, supporting, helping, and questioning (MacNaughton & William, 2009). In your reflection you explained that some children already know how to use laptop and they can help their peers. I personally believe that Supervision is very important when children using laptop or computer because these are electronics gazette it is very delicate and expensive. Any way righting is never ending. Ka pai.
ReplyDeleteHi Rozleen, A very informative reflection you have written, and yes I agree with your statements that technology will become essential for everyone in the coming years. We are in a field where we will be making differences in children’s lives hopefully in a positive way. If we don’t keep up with the latest technology than how will we be able to teach the children? We do need to keep in mind all centre’s have different beliefs and values. I know I have been to centre’s where the Digital technology such as laptops are very much utilised among the teachers or staff but are not accessible to children due to their beliefs and philosophies. Early childhood settings written philosophies will be different because of the unique beliefs within the setting and particular beliefs may become evident such as environmental awareness, the use of media and technology which are not as evident in other settings, (Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett & Farmer, 2005)
ReplyDeleteKids today are exposed to many electronic educational toys before they even enter school for the first time. Laptops offer exciting and innovative ways of learning things so something that might be a boring routine lesson becomes a game that allows a child to learn without trying to. A study on benefits of comprehensive technology systems in an early childhood education indicated positive outcomes for children, increased technology skills among teachers, Hutinger, P., Johanson, J., Rippey, R., Western Illinois Univ., M. s., & Western Illinois Univ., M. d. (2000). Here’s the full reference and well done!
Hutinger, P., Johanson, J., Rippey, R., Western Illinois Univ., M. s., & Western Illinois Univ., M. d. (2000). Benefits of a Comprehensive Technology System in an Early Childhood Setting: Results of a Three-Year Study. Final Report.