I noticed a group of children
sitting at their computer table in the corner of the room; they were showing
interest in a programme for children on the computer. The children were not
fighting over who was going to have their turn next, there was one child that
had control of the mouse the rest of the group were sitting their pointing to
the screen.
There was no
teacher at the computer table but looking at them from the other side of the
room. The group of children at the computer didn’t share the mouse of the
computer but they were not fighting over the mouse too. Some children in that
group looked happy just standing there observing what was happening. These
children would tell the boy with the mouse to click on the images shown on the
computer, they were telling this boy what he had to do, and this boy
controlling the mouse was new to our centre. I was amazed by this group of
children, they were helping the child be familiarised with the program that was
on the computer. The children didn’t take control of the mouse but let this boy
take control, they were teaching our new boy about the computer program through
their words, and they supported him through instructions from their knowledge
and their experiences. “growing experience in solving problems together develop
respect for differences and an understanding of their roles, rights, and
responsibilities in relation to other people” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p
96).
Having computers present in
an early childhood education setting gives children the opportunity to explore
the features of the technology. It also allows children to take control of
their actions. Having a computer in the centre can also help children welcome
new children in their environment so the new children will feel that they
belong in the environment. I know we only have one computer in our centre for
the children, but it made the children problem solve this situation by sharing
and also by given others a chance to explore the technology. Children taught me
a valuable lesson that day and it was to sit back and give them space, things
may work out different from how I think children taught me that they also have
their own way of how things work. “Te Whariki 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 to continue acquiring new
knowledge and skills” (Smorti, 1999, p
5).
The computer is an amazing
technology in the centre, it helps children discover programs on the computer
for their learning, and they can identify the main functions on the screen.
They can also take control of the mouse and have their eyes on the computer watching
the cursor move. This technology can also help children develop words that can
encourage them to ask questions to extend their learning. This technology has
number and matching games that can also help improve their memory and also help
them to count. This piece of technology shows a lot of images that relates to children’s
every day life, for example, vehicles, trucks, animals, birds’ things that
children are exposed to on a daily basis and this helps them find out the
purposes of these things. “Technology is also a creative and purposeful
activity aimed at meeting needs and opportunities through the development of
products, systems or environments” (Smorti, 1999, p 5).
Reference List
Ministry of Education.
(1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga
mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa : Early
childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Smorti,
S. (1999) Technology in Early Childhood. Early
Education, 19, 5-10.
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ReplyDeleteHi,I enjoyed reading your reflection. Its amazing to see different perspectives of children and teachers. I liked the way you stood back and observed I feel that it is really important for educators to interrupt when necessary and let the children explore for themselves. Children are great teachers as well and learn a lot for them too. Indeed they are capable and competent learners. However with occasional support you can enhance their learning. Some children do not want to be the leaders because either they are shy or scared of failure , these are the ones who need motivation to become confident and take control. Ka Pai!!
ReplyDeleteTrisha, it is amazing to see how much children know and learn from using a computer. It is also amazing to hear that we as educators can learn from the children as well. Sometimes children do want to take their time to explore and learn by themselves or alongside their peers. Children do want to take control of their own actions sometimes. I think that computers help children build their literacy, language and cognitive skills. I think that by using a computer at the centre children connect to the wider world and they also recall their experiences from home if their parents give them an exposure to use a computer. Some parents find it a bit frightening to let their children access computers at home but when they see their children using computers at the centre they gain confidence to support their children’s technological skills. I really like the way you support children’s interest in technology. Ka Pai!
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ReplyDeleteMalo! I like the way children in your centre problem solved themselves when using computers by letting the new boy take control of the mouse, while they showed him how to familiarize himself with the programs on the computer. I also notice how the children supports encouraged and facilitate this new boy with their words in a friendly and respectful manner. I agree with you that technology (computers) helps children improve their memory, enhances their social skills, language skills, and extend their learning. As a student teacher I believe that our role is to expose children to technology in order meet their needs and solve their problems. As educators we need to understand how modern technologies can help us better meet the social, physical, and learning needs of young children
This is a good site about the importance of technology:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzi2RIt8_nk&feature=related
Hi Trisha! Great to her that you’ve allow the children to take control of their action and the techniques that you’ve use helps them sort themselves out on their own. I’m happy to see how this has been a learning experience for you in how you reflect on your new discovery. Being a reflective practitioner is crucial in our practice it helps us to see what improvement needs in order to advocate children’s learning. I can see that this was a greater achievement for you. It is not that you have lack of knowledge, or make mistake but everything we go through even myself is it just one step up towards our achievement. I will just share this quote with you that might always’ be our reminder that we have responsibilities and commitment. “This commitment involves more than just thinking about what you are doing; you must undertake an active critique of your practice using your professional knowledge to identify strengths and needs. It takes courage to reflect on your practice truly as on many occasions it will prompt you to loosen your hold on long-held belief and incorporate new ideas and theories into your own practise” (O’Connor and Diggins, 2002, p. 71) Well done!!!!!
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