An observation that I made in my centre was of one of the educators who had brought in her laptop computer to share to the children, as we had noticed the children’s increasing interest in the piece of equipment. The useful thing about the laptop computer is that it is accessible at any time, portable, convenient and suitable for bringing down to the children’s level. When the educator interacts with the children using the laptop computer, the children’s attention is immediately drawn to the machinery, as each child’s interest in the laptop is acknowledged with a turn to explore and investigate the countless education software programmes that the educator had installed. Each child examines each of the keys on the keyboards, as they further their exploration through fiddling with the mouse.
For myself as a growing educator, I want to help support the need for children to contribute to these learning experiences through allowing them the chance to explore, make decisions for themselves and feel that their contribution is valued by both educators and their peers (Ministry of Education, 1996). This could be done by enabling the children to learn to take turns on the computer, while during their turn, they are able to select any learning program that they want to do by using their decision-making skills, as well as having the comforts of enjoying their program in their own time and space.
When a child is exploring and discovering the computer keyboard, they are not only experiencing it physically through their sensory-motor skills, but are also experiencing a visual representation of numbers and letters. In addition, through using laptop computers in children’s learning and development, I feel that this would help capture their focus on essential learning needs, allowing them to stay interested in their learning, at the same time building on their knowledge and learning of different materials and concepts of their educational needs. It is vital for us, as educators, to attain the necessary knowledge and skills that are required to enhance and promote the learning and development for children in technology, in this case, computer laptops. By doing this, we are helping “enhance the teaching and learning process”, (Tsantis, Bewick & Thornton, 2003, p.3) through having the proficiency to extend on the children’s interests and knowledge of computers laptops, as well as encouraging children to master it’s techniques, tools and methods efficiently.I feel that in providing learning experiences that consist of using the laptop computers in my centre, the educators and I are accountable for presenting relevant learning programs and software for the children, also guiding and supporting their learning and usage of the equipment, in regards to their safety and time-management while using the laptop computers (Tsantis, Bewick & Thornton, 2003). Tsantis, Bewick & Thorton (2003) go on to suggest that this is a vital necessity for educators, as selecting appropriate software can have a major effect on the active learning and development of children.
Reference List:
Google image. Image of computer keyboard with numbers and letters. Retrieved from http://alignedleft.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/macbook-keyboard-by-jason-michael1.jpg
Google image. Image of cartoon laptop computer. Retrieved from http://images.crestock.com/30000-39999/38316-xs.jpg
Google image. Image of child with laptop. Retrieved from http://www.niea-online.org/files/NIEA/girl_on_laptop.jpg
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whaariki: He Whaariki Matauranga mo nga Mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early Childhood Curriculum (pp. 84-90). Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media Limited.
Smorti, S. (1999). Technology in Early Childhood. Early Education, 19, 5-10.
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.
Comment
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story! It is great on you for allowing children to explore with the ideas of technology using centre's laptop. It is good to see that you are picking up children’s interest around centre! It is also good to see that staff are being actively involved in children’s learning, and that they are initiating to stimulate children’s interest. I agree that children need to be exposed to different stimulation, and they should be encouraged to explore it under supervision of children. I also agree that children learn better with visual representations, and that laptop is a great way to expose children to this visual stimulation. I know that sometimes, it can be scary to teach children about something that you are not very familiar with, such as operating a laptop, but I believe that we need to constantly up-skill ourselves to modern technology so that we can enhance children’s learning. Maybe you can install educational software on the laptop for children to have a play at. Ka Pai!
Kia ora Gina! It is an awesome reflection! I really enjoy reading the information of how you identify the advantage of letting children use laptop computers at the centre. Yes, you are right! It is significant for us to introduce new knowledge and skills to children and it base on the change of the world. Laptop Computers are one of modern technologies in the modern world and it can be an effective learning and teaching tool, if we can use it effectively. I also agree with you that because computer is a new produce in early childhood centres, so it is very important for educators to select appropriate software to support children learning. However, I also believe that teachers’ abilities of using computer also will impact on children’s learning and development, which is supported by Tsantis, Bewick, and Thornton, (2003). Because， children need teachers’ guidance to support them to use computers effectively and safely. I am also wondering that what you think of your role in promoting children using computer.
ReplyDeleteTsantis, L., Bewick, C., & Thornton, S. (2003). Examining some common myths about computer in the early years. Young Children on the Web. November 2003. 1-9.
The use of the computer as a teaching resource in early childhood education is quite common today. Even if the centre does not have computer to set up for the children, teachers still would bring in their own laptop to share with the children. Promote the computer skills become indispensable knowledge in the children’s learning area.
ReplyDeleteGina, although your centre does not have a real computer for the children to play with, I believe that children still can develop their computer knowledge at home. Our Early Childhood Curriculum ‘Te Whāriki’ states that children’s learning should be link between the early childhood setting and home (Ministry of Education, 1996). Therefore, work with parents as partnership. They could help and support their child’s home learning (Hobart, Frankel, 2005). For instance, we give a topic of ‘the butterfly’s life cycle’ for children to search the information from internet at home. Ask them print out some photos and bring it in tomorrow so that we can share the child’s findings at the mat time.
Reference
Hobart, C., & Frankel, J. (2005). A practical guide to activities for young children (3rd Edition). Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Nelson Thornes Ltd.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, he whāriki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Talofa lava Gina! It is always interesting to hear what kind of technology that centres have to support and extend the learning and development of children in their centre. I really like using laptops within the centre because I could take it anywhere in the centre, depending on who is interested in using it or which learning area that needs the computer for finding answers to their questions.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that it is important for teachers to be computer literate in order to help children accurately. It is equally important to find appropriate educational software for children that are developmentally appropriate to accommodate their learning. Computers are very important tools for teaching children because according to Walsh (1991), “children needed things that will stir up their interest, and they are new and that they have not tried before” (p. 97). Introducing different educational programmes will extend children’s learning about this technology and it will also expose them to a different world of information and technology. Even though that your children do not really know how to use the computer, if you continue to teach them, you will be amazed at how convenient and informative it is to children. Thanks Gina and continue to teach children about computers!
References
Walsh, P. (1991). Why children need outside play. In Early childhood playgrounds: Planning an outside learning environment (pp. 9-12). Castle Hills, N.S.W. Pademelon Pess.
Hei Gina I have posted my feedback 3x now or more but when I do something else and return to check I could not see it so i post it again! But I hope this one will work.
ReplyDelete