Technology-
“Children gain experience in using communication technologies such as crayons,
paintbrushes, pencils, calculators, books and computers” (Ministry of
Education, 1996)
In
my centre we have our own library which available for all the children and staffs.
We take our pre-school aged children to the library on every Wednesday. Children
are able to access the computers or borrow books on their own. The technologies
happening here are children using computers and scanning barcodes (under
librarian’s guidance) when borrow books. The computer monitors are using L.E.D technology for protecting
children’s eyesight； the
keyboard is designed much more bigger and colorful than normal computers, it is
in order to make children recognize easily and have more patience to offer; the
barcode scanner tables are at children’s level to make sure they can reach it
and scan it when they borrow or return books.
At the computer children
can approach learning from a variety of perspectives and follow various path to
a goal (Smorti, 1999). Such as mathematic, learning colors, drawing and music etc.
Children are also able to develop basic computer skills, such as knowing how to
switch on a computer, and how to use a mouse and a keyboard, as well as knowing
how to use computer applications and touch-type smoothly (Rothstein, 1997).
At
the barcode table, children gain an understanding of how a barcode scanner
works and what is the use of barcode. Children told me that once you scan the
barcode at the back of a book, the librarian would know all the information
about the book, and the computer recorded everything.
I
believe as educators we play an essential
role when digital technologies are used with young children. We should provide some
technological activities which can extend children’s learning, develop their
social skills and problem solving skills. I think the computer and barcode
scanner are two good strategies for teachers to use with children as these two
items have connection. It is also a kind of ‘transmission’ process. Children
understand that once they scan the barcode, the data will be transmitted into
computer.
One disadvantage of using these technologies in my centre is that
children cannot access to them whenever they want. Because children cannot go
to the library by themselves as it is quite far from kindy for them. On every
Wednesday, teachers would lead them to the library and all the children must
go.
Reference
Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in early
childhood. Early Education, 1, 5-10.
Rothstein, E. (1997). Gate’s largesse stirs a discomfiting
questions: Is there indeed a computer literacy? The New York Times, 7 July.
Ministry of Education.(1996). Te
Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood
curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
I’m a big fan of children going to the library and think it’s great that your centre gets out and takes their children to the library. There are so many different aspects of learning development that goes on while being at the library and the fact that most libraries have computers children that don’t have a computer at home can access one at the library. Perfect! It is also nice to see that the children are experiencing computers in an interactive and educational view rather than an entertainment standpoint. I noticed you explain that the children knew what to do with their book (how to scan it) and understood that you have to scan the barcode which is at the back of the book .Then all the books information would be on the computer for the librarian. I believe understanding the knowledge behind technology is very important and enhances children’s development. Children “experience in solving problem together develops children’s understanding of how technology can help then and other” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.96). In this case children learning by scanning the barcode on the book is a faster and easy way to keep records. At my home centre we have a library up the road as well; however we haven’t visited it whilst I’ve been there. I am going to suggest if we can go to the library some time or see if there are any children’s programmes running.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThat is so great that your centre has its own library. Children benefit from reading books, listening stories, and learning technological knowledge in the library. What a purposeful learning experience happing here! The children not only learn the technological knowledge, but also learn what to learn and how to learn by themselves. Smorti (1999) defines that “technology is about helping people and solving problems” (Smorti, 1999, p. 5). Through using barcode scanning, children learn the process on how the library works. When barcode first appeared in my life, it was in supermarket check-out counter twenty years ago. Now it is widely used in many areas. I was so curious how the barcode worked. I think children are just like me, full of curiosity and questions when they encounter the technology. It will appeal to children and evoke their imaginations, as well as the creativity. Thus, their creative thinking is developed. Te Whariki (1996) emphasises on the importance of “children develop abilities to question, locate, and process information and to see people, books, and other media as resources” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 98).
ReplyDeleteI love this!! Library at your centre, where children can take books out and scan them, is like my ideal preschool that I would like my children to attend. Such a great expereience for children to be able to choose their own books and this also promotes the well being of the books as they will know they need to look after it and return it. Reading your reflections and being this as the last one I found that your centre is very digital native, they embrace technolgy and share it with childen which is great. I like how you have mentioned that the computers the centre uses are sight sensative towards children’s eyes.
ReplyDeleteI believe learning to operate simple basic computer skills such as turning on the computer on and off, and clicking the mouse is a great way to introduce technology in centres. . This is linked to “A child learns to explore in a setting where exploration is valued and possible” (Ministry
Hi Jiayin,
ReplyDeleteIn your reflection you have mentioned about how our centre has their own library which available for all the children and staff and you take our pre-school aged children to the library on every Wednesday. Children are able to access the computers or borrow books on their ow n by using the bar code and scanning the book themselves. I think this is a good way of allowing the children to able to make their own choices by letting them choose their own back.As a early childhood teacher we should give the children the opportunity to make their own choices.This relates to Te Whariki "Children develop an increasing ability to determine their own actions and make their own choices" (Ministry of Education,1996,p.50).At our home centre we have the library next to us as we take the children once a week.
That's a good reflection. The advancement of technology has changed the world, changed the way people understand a lot of things. The barcodes appear to make people's lives more convenient. Barcode scanner not only can be seen in the library, but we can also see in many places, such as supermarkets, shops, post office.The barcode scanner is a method for science and technology in our lives. Let children know how the bar code and scanner work, the principle of working, how the impact on people's lives. When they understand the technology, they will know more knowledge, so good for them. I believe they will create more convenient than the bar code scanner technology to change our lives in the future. “Children experience in solving problem together develops children’s understanding of how technology can help them and other” (Ministry of Education, 1996).
ReplyDelete