Computers as an educational tool
Technology offers unique experiences and opportunities for
young children. Young children of today are naturals with computers and have
shown comfort and confidence in using them. Computers are available to the
children in my centre with minimum activities available on them and they are
not encouraged to use them by the educators.
A few times children have showed me proudly that they can
turn the computer on. As I walked past a couple of boys on the computer, I
noticed a boy sitting at the computer who looked a bit confused. “I can’t turn
it on”, “the game is not coming” he said. The boy who was already playing a
game quickly responded, “I can help you”, and pushed on the correct button
which started the computer. I was amazed by the confidence in these children. The
next half an hour was spent exploring the different games and activities
available. I never imagined these boy’s potentials until I saw them on the
computer and will always remember how enlightened they were.
Teachers in general in my preschool don’t interfere or focus
much on technology especially with computers with children rather they leave
them for self exploration and more hands on activities. Smorty, (1999)
highlights that technology is an important area of early childhood curriculum,
therefore if educators are to scaffold children’s learning in areas such as
mathematics or science or social interaction, they need to extend their
knowledge and skills in understanding of technology such as computers. I
personally believe that computers are very educational and powerful resource as
information and communication technologies are becoming more entwined in the
environment around children. As a child growing up and the non existence of
computers, it impacted on my interest in using computers now. Up until I needed
to use computers for my study, I was reluctant to use it. Now that I am, it
makes me realize how dependant I am of using it.
Ministry of Education, (2007) highlights that in early
childhood education settings where ICT is enhanced within the learning environment;
it impacts on children’s learning and development including cognitive learning
such as language development, social interaction, information and literacy. Computers
are significantly associated with everyday life in education whether it is with
adults or children. Parents are often seen restricting their children from
using computers as they don’t see the benefits of them. If teachers and parents
embrace technology such as computers it can provide them with more effective
and efficient ways to extend and expand on children’s learning and development.
It can also provide opportunities to develop successful strategies to motivate,
plan, involve families even linking homes with schools. Te Whāriki also
states that in order to participate in this world, our children will need
confidence to develop their own perspectives as well as the ability to continue
gaining new knowledge and skills using technology associated with them.
I think it is beneficial for children to use computers as we
are preparing them for future and jobs that don’t exist yet. Children’s
activities and experiences with computers will develop over time as they grow
and develop. Young children learn through exploration and discovery so if
computers are used with children in preschools and child care centres, the computer should be one of many activity
choices they can explore (Bredekamp & Rosegrant, 1994).
See the link below to view a young child
using a computer
References:
Bredekamp,
S., & Rosegrant, T. (1994). Learning and teaching with technology. In J.L.
Wright & D.D. Shade (Eds.), Young children: Active learners in a
technological age (pp. 53-61). Washington, DC: National Association for the
Education of Young Children
Images: Retrieved on 22/03/13 from Google
Images www.google.co.nz
Ministry
of Education. (2007). The New
Zealand curriculum. Wellington: 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.
Ka Pai Shreen,
ReplyDeleteA good and detail reflection about using digital technology in our centers.it is good to know that your center give opportunities to children to access with the computers. Every center should have access to digital technology because it is part of the curriculum now like other parts such as: maths, science, arts (Ministry of Education, 2007). Te Whariki also states that New Zealand is developing skills in different areas including technology (Ministry of Education, 1996). you described in your reflection that teachers in your centre not intervene while children use computers. it is good to give them time to self explore. However teachers can intervene using techniques like questioning, recalling, encouraging, scaffolding (McNaughton & William, 2009). I like the way you were reflecting yourself throughout your reflection that initially you were reluctant to use technology; but now you depended on it. yes we need to be open mind to learn new.
Shareen, it is interesting to see that your centre has computers for children but I wonder why it is not encouraged by the teachers to use them. I think after doing this course, we all have realised the importance of both digital and non-digital technology and it is good to see you as an educator took this opportunity to provide learning experience for the children. Smorti, 1999 says that teachers need to have the understanding and knowledge about technology in order to scaffold children’s learning. You as an educator have both the knowledge and understanding about technology and you are the perfect teacher to expand children’s learning. Maybe you can provide other types of experiences such as exploring the internet for things that are of children’s interest. There are various benefits such as improved motor skills, mathematical skills, increased creativity, problem-solving skills, communication, cooperation and leadership skills while working along their peers (Ministry of Education, 2007). I agree with you that we need technology in our everyday lives. We have become so used to it because technology makes our life easier. Technology is advancing every minute and we need to prepare our children for the future. Computer is also literacy learning tool. While playing games, children learn to type in the subject they want to play and for this they learn to spell the words which build their literacy. I would like to share this video where child is playing games and also learning literacy skills.
ReplyDeleteTo view this video, follow the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9XdU8FRZv8
Hi shareen , using a computer in your centre is the exciting for children. Through computer children learn to create easy fun activities which develop their knowledge about technology. “Technology makes enterprising use of its own specific knowledge and skills, together with those of other disciplines. Graphics and other methods of visual representation offer important tools for communication and exploration” (The New Zealand Curriculum, 2007, p.32). Through computer children use their knowledge about process and problem solving, science, reading, mathematics and art. Using a computer child will gain knowledge, feel confidence and learn literacy skill and also develop communication skill. In your reflection you mention that children helping each other’s it’s develops them social skills. Through computer children use a variety of technologies for different purpose as they explore their world” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 98). They using their fingers to develop physical skills to move mouse courser and key pad button; they also develop social emotional skills and language skills (Smorti, 19990). Over all it is a good reflection. kai pai.
ReplyDeleteShareen, the use of computers are inevitable and I agree with you that the use of computers have generally increased. There is no limit as to when children can start using computers. Computers are quite innovative and children use this to explore and make sense of their world (Ministry of Education, 1996). Teachers at your centre may not be interacting directly with computers and children because they may want children to explore the computers themselves and become confident users of computers. Children are quite advanced and competent in using computers that they can successfully help others to use the computer. I can very well relate to your experience with computers as when I was growing up, we did not have computers to enhance my learning. We used the traditional blackboard and chalk method to learn. There were very little opportunities for us to explore and be competent in using technology. The only information on computers was what was departed to us by our teachers. Introducing children to computers prepares them to be successful users of computers in the future. Being in par with this technological world, prepares the child to be confident and competent users of computers. Children develop many skills such as social skills, problem solving, language skills and physical skills.
ReplyDeleteView this article to get a better understanding or the importance of using computers in education.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090119200406AA1GdL1