This course people, places, things, and event have given me
an insight as to what in real technologies are. I thought it was only to deal
with powers such as computers, CD players, and any electronic devices. But
after gaining knowledge from this course, I came to know that anything around
us can be a technology. Today’s children are so lucky to get all these new
technologies around them. There is no doubt that in future, they will be so
talented in technologies. The knowledge I gained from this course has enabled
me to foster and extend children’s learning and development about technologies
in early childhood setting. Smorti (1999) suggests that as educators we need to
broaden our understanding of technology and continue to extend our knowledge
and skill base.
Knowing about Blogging was a challenge to me as I did not had
any idea from where to start and I was bit nervous putting up my first
blogging. The tremendous support from my group members made my work much easier
and gave me courage to further do my other blogs. I enjoyed working as a team
even though we did not meet each other. I gained more knowledge through working
in groups and getting feedbacks from my group members on my reflection. I also
got the opportunity to share my views and ideas on their reflection. The real thing I experienced reading about
the reflection of my group members was to get into it rather than just reading
it. This means that I had gained more knowledge knowing about how my group
members used digital and non- digital technologies in their centre which had
impact on children’s learning and development.
I was happy to read the comments made on my first blog which
was on Digital Video recorder. All members from my group gave me positive
feedback. One of the comment made by Yuki was really interesting where she
mentioned some important points like “digital video recorder indeed is a
technology in early childhood where children find exciting ways to express
themselves, to take the initiative to grow and show confidence and pride in
what they are doing and their cultural background, and to let others be part of
their life outside the centre- even to the point that other children get
motivated to do the same”. Yuki has mentioned some good points here which
relates to culture. I discovered that through digital video recorder, not only
Child A has focused on the home experiences but he has also shared his culture
with the other children and staff as well.
In my second reflection is on the use of computers in early
childhood education, most of my group members agreed with me that teachers
should not use computers on children as a baby sit tool. They had same opinion
as mine. As teachers we reflect on our practice and it helps us to improve and
make changes to our teaching. O’Connor and Diggins (2002) suggests “as a
reflective practitioner, you commit to learn continuously about your teaching,
by teaching them thinking about what you’ve done, what others did and what
happen during the process”. I feel supported with Tuliga’s comment where she
mentioned that we should think twice about
having children occupied with the TV instead of getting physically active with
proactive learning both inside and outside to support staff- motivation in
other learning areas.
My third reflection is on the use of Glue Gun in the centres.
Dipika mentioned some good points about the safety measurers that we have to
consider while use a glue gun with children.
Finally I agree with Richardson (2009) statement “With blogs
the ability for people to leave comments can be very powerful and positive
learning tool. The comments which I received from my group members has made me
realised that it is important to evaluate the significance of people, places,
things and events in children’s learning and development as Te Whariki states
that “New Zealand is part of the world revolution in communication, technology,
work, and leisure. Change in these and other spheres is a feature of everyday
life” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 18). It depends on us as how we use
technology and how we implement it.
References
Ministry of
Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa.
Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
O’Connor,
A., &Diggins, C, (2002). On reflection: Reflective practice for early
childhood educators. Lower Hutt, New Zealand: Open Mind Publishing.
Richardson,
W. (2009). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and other powerful Web tool for Classrooms. (2nd
ed.).Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Smorti, S.
(1999). Technology in Early Childhood. Early Education, No.19
Autumn 1999.
