Writing blogs on the use of technology in my early childhood
centre was a journey of my learning as well as children’s learning. I
personally felt that the feedback I received from my peers was supporting and
encouraging as it allowed me to think and I felt that my work was being
recognised and praised. I believe that this kind of feedback allowed me to see
that I was on the right track and guided me in my journey. I also faced some
difficulties using the blog but with the help and support of my peers, I was
able to learn more about it. Some of the feedback I received left me a question
to think about in regarding the use of technology in my centre. I appreciate
that I was asked those questions as it allowed me to follow through in my next
blog keeping that on mind. As Arthur,
Beecher, Death, Docket, & Farmer, (2008)
states that “We need to think deeply about our decision making and continue to
develop the ability to be reflective” (p. 172). I have also been suggested some other
activities which I could try with children using the same technology.
These feedbacks allowed enhancing my own learning in using
technology and relating that feedback I have tried other ways of using digital
and non digital technology with children. In one of the comments I was
encouraged to work with a group of children instead of one individual child and
I took that in my practice as I tried the same activity with a group of
children. This time I was surprised that children worked well and supported
each other as Te Whāriki also
states under goal one communication “that
children develop responsive and reciprocal skills such as turn taking and
offering” (Ministry of Education 1996, p.74).
think working as a group and encouraging each other makes assessments so much
easier because I personally felt that this allows us to share our point of
views with other group members and also to hear what they think about your use
of technology. I believe that everyone has different teaching philosophies but
sharing your knowledge with others is a way to extend your learning from others
knowledge. This provided an opportunity for me to look through my teaching and
adapt changes to foster children’s knowledge in using technology as well. Yang
(2006) states that “the process
of reflection includes reflective thinking and self examination during or after
teaching” (p. 11).
Technology influences children’s knowledge
and learning in many ways. Using technology within an early childhood setting
is allowing children to explore and feel today’s generation. Children are given
many opportunities to use technology and enhance their learning and development.
Children learn to problem solve, gain
social skills, cognitive development, creativity through the use of technology.
Technology allows children to become confident and sets children up for a
brighter future in their life. Now day’s children are aware of the use of technologies
as they experience it at home and in the centre. Educators set out activities
and allow children to explore without teacher directing their play but
educators learn alongside children and discover ways to make children’s learning
more meaningful. Smorti (1999), suggests that “if educators in early childhood
are to scaffold children’s learning in this area we need to broaden our
understanding of technology and continue to extend our own knowledge and skill
base” (p.5). Children are given many various opportunities to use digital and
non digital technologies such as camera, computer, painting, drawing etc. The New Zealand curriculum (2007)
states that through the use of technology “students develop
knowledge particular to technological enterprises and environments and
understandings of how and why things work” (p. 32).
References
Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., & Farmer, S. (2008). Programming and planning in early childhood settings (4th ed.). Victoria, Australia: Thompson.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, He whāriki matauranga mo nga mokopuna o Āotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media
Smorti, S. (1999, Autumn) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 19.
Yang, S-H. (2009). Using blogs to enhance critical reflection and community of practice. Educational technology & society, 12 (2), 11-21
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