02/09/12
From the start of my blog journey, I must say that technology was challenging as I am not a technological person, as I get closer to the end of this group activity I feel confident and with the feedbacks from my group members I have learned that it is important to expose children to technology from an early age, so that they will be confident, brave, develops and explore technology without any doubt. I believe that technology is everywhere, and we educators have to foster and extend children’s learning in a broad context where children can use technology to express and familiarize with the materials they used at home and at school, this is supported by Te Whāriki that children develops, “familiarity with the properties and character of the materials and technology used in the creative and expressive arts” (Ministry of Education, p. 80).
Technology nowadays is very fast and everyone is relying on technology to solve their problems and make life easier for them. Even in schools children are expected to learned and participate in technological classes, and the main aim is to develop and expand their technological knowledge in order to equip them in society and prepare them for future careers (Ministry of Education, 2007). This course has helped me looked broader at the importance of technology and non technology resources and how to extend children’s learning. I like Seema’s feedback that with children’s interest about camera’s I have to informed our supervisor and staff about children’s interest and request them to buy more cameras to enhance children’s learning. Well done.
I also like feedback from Trisha that it is good idea to have children on the computer and help them look for pictures of cameras on the internet as well as having resources on the art table to let them implement their own cameras. “Using many materials for different purposes enables children to recognize that different technologies may be used in various places and settings” (Ministry of Education, 1996. p. 95). The feedbacks also expand my knowledge about different ways of enhancing children’s learning with cameras and how children value there learning with using cameras in the centre.
I have been having problems using computers, printers and laptops at the start of this course and as I observe children in my centre, I saw that children are easily adapt to technology and it makes me wonder that, if I was exposed to technology in an early age I would not have any problems with technology. As a educator I now see the importance of teaching technology to young children so they will be confident, learn new skills, empower themselves, work collaborative with their peers and have fun with technology. “As educators we need to understand how modern technologies can help us better meet the social, physical, and learning needs of young children” (Tsantis, Bewich & Thoouvenelle, 2003. p. 8).
This blog group activity has helped me learned from my group’s feedback on my blog as well as their reflection about different technologies and non technology resources they use in their centers. Furthermore blog has helped me think critically about the importance of using technology on children’s learning and development. “As a powerful tool that enhances communication, foster critical thinking, and encourages collaborative learning, blogs have great potential in education” (Wang, 2008. p. 37).
Reference List:
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa Wellington: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media
Tsantis, L., Bewick, C., & Thornton, S. (2003). Examining some common myths about computers in the early years. Young Children on the Web, November 2003, 1-9.
Wang, H. (2008). Exploring the educational use of blogs in U.S. education. US – China Education Review, 5 (10), 34-37.
