Final blog

Final reflection

I have learnt the importance of technology in early childhood setting through this assessment. I get positive feedback from my group members on my reflections. It is very useful for me and it made me able to extend children’s learning through digital and non-digital technology. I recognize the value of technology in children’s daily life. Technology is about “helping people and solving problems” (Smorti, 1999, p.5). I believe that the feedback from my group is encouraging me to extend my own knowledge about technology and use in practice. Group member’s comment on reflections suggested me how I can further enhance children’s learning with computers such as download and print photos. According to Te whāriki the curriculum provides an educational foundation that assists the full range of skills that children will need as a lifelong learners (Ministry of education, 1996).

I found this assessment very interesting and creative. It was challenging for me to create a blog. But with the support of my group member and class lecture, I created my blog.  I acknowledge the appropriate use of technology. Through responses and reading by my team’s blogs, I acknowledge children can draw and dictate or write their thoughts and ideas by using the digital technology. By using the digital camera, computer and magnifying glass children can enlarge view of plants, insects and bugs. Buckleitner (2003) defines that with technology; teacher along with children can find more information and view pictures of any topic.

The feedback from my group members is very helpful for me because I will be aware the use of technology to foster children’s knowledge in my practice. Smorti (1999) defines that teaching is a tool that can provide another way for children to learn and make sense of their world. The use of technology engages children more actively in learning such as using camera and taking photos. I believe that the use of technology support children to enhance their language, literacy, communication and cognitive skills.

 I believe that technology enables children to explore their creative actions. I noticed young children latch on quickly to new technology. Because they already using technology at home environment such as remote controls, TV, CD’s and play station game. As an educator we need to consider the appropriate uses of technology because best program and activities provide opportunities for children to incorporate their idea. I think, when children use technological equipment we should guide and support them. By the use of technology children gain a lot of skills such as problem solving, taking turn. The adult role in computer based activities is to provide intellectual support and guidance to act as a partner to the children in the process of discovery and investigation (Iram and Siraj-blatchford, 2006).

As an educator we should provide opportunity to children where they can have technology experience and be able to familiar with modern technology. Technology experiences assist children to promote their curiosity, Creativity and independent skills.  Te whāriki states that “children develop the ability to represent their discoveries, using creative and expressive media and the technology associated with them” (Ministry of Education, 1999, p. 88). I recognise we could explore children‘s technology through wide range of activities such as art, music, ICT skills and family corner. On the other hand children have opportunity to choose the program based on their own interests. For example when they use computer they could select the program, songs, poems, and literacy, mathematics and science activities.

References:

Buckleitner, W. (2003) Turning collections in to curriculum-Technically speaking! Scholastic Early Childhood Today, 17(6), 6-7.

Iram and Siraj-blatchford,J. (2006). Guide to developing the ICT curriculum for early childhood education. Great Britain: Cromwell Press Ltd.

Ministry of Education. (1996). Te whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga  ngā mokopuna Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.

Smorti, S. (1999, Autumn) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 19.