We have a desktop computer in the 4 year old room in our centre. Te Whāriki
says that “children gain experience in using communication technologies such as
crayons, paintbrushes, pencils, calculators, books, and computers” (Ministry of
Education, 1996, p.97). Computers are a communication tool thus it is a
technology.
The children can access the computer during their free play time, and
also teachers often use the computer for 4 year old children in an investigation
time. For example, one day, one of the teachers gathered 4 year old
children on the mat and showed them You-tube to study about frogs. At that
time, the children’s interest was in frogs. The children could study frogs in
books but it was valuable for them by looking at the movements of the frogs and
how they live in movies too. By using You-tube, we can explore and study so
many things all over the world when we are sitting on the mat in the centre or
in the house and wherever. For instance, the children studied the frogs that
live in the Amazon on that day.
When I saw this activity, I feel very positive about using You-tube for
children’s learning. I find it very useful myself to use You-tube for my
learning about children’s songs and activities for mat-time. I did not grow up
in New Zealand so it is interesting to see every movement and how teachers
teach young children through songs and activities, and I can look at the
movements of him/her again and again on You-tube. In addition, I can look for
what exactly I want to know in a very short time by just putting key words in the
space for search. Research has proved that “for many children the computer is a
catalyst for information sharing, language development, and decision making”
(Tsantis, Bewick, & Thouvenelle, 2003, p.7). Therefore, I think it is an effective
learning way for the children using internet sites and You-tube to investigate
something related to the children’s interests together with teachers. Papic and
Mulligan argue that “under competent adult supervision, the use of the Internet
as a technological tool to support mathematics and science learning can begin
in the preschool years. Young children can be assisted to explore websites
dealing with events and interests in their environment”(Talay-Ongan & Ap,
2005, p. 229).
As I mentioned at the beginning of this reflection, 3 year olds and 4
year olds can access the desktop computer by themselves during their free play
time. I noticed that some children occasionally sit at the computer and explore
with some educational software but not using internet access. Nowadays even
preschoolers know how to access the internet so I believe it is very important
to protect the children from information and pictures of offensive language,
violence, and sex.
Through the educational software, the children will increase their
knowledge of how to use a keyboard, how to play with the software, and computer
language. “Observations in early childhood programs across the country have
strongly supported the importance of early computer awareness/literacy” (Tsantis,
Bewick, & Thouvenelle, 2003, p.8).
Personally, I can use a computer in a very basic way. I use email, word documents, power points, going to the internet to get information, booking and so on. However, I use Windows not Mac. I am not familiar with an Apple computer. The article says that "when teachers feel they don't need to be familiar with computers or engaged in the process of helping children reflect on what they are learning while using the computer, the value of the technology is seriously diminished" (Tsantis, Bewick, & Thouvenelle, 2003, p.4). I can see many early childhood centres using an apple computer including our centre. Mac is quite different from Windows in its way of use so I have to learn how to use a Mac computer.
Reference list
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki matauranga monga mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media Limited.
Talay-Ongan, A., & Ap, E. A.
(Eds.). (2005). Child Development and Teaching Young Children. Southbank, Victoria, Australia: Thompson
Social Science Press.
Tsantis, L. A., Bewick, C. J.,
& Thouvenelle, S. (2003). Examining some common myths about
computer use in the early years. Young Children, 58(1), 1-9.
It is amazing to see some young children, who might not even know the alphabets, using ipads. They are experts in turning pages till they get what they want. You were very honest about your confession of your lack of knowledge in computers. As you said, nowadays it is essential for the teachers to know all the istuff, so we need to switch to apple from windows.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think pre-schoolers require educational software just to learn basic computer skills. Software programmes are expensive, so they can start familiarising hardware such as keyboards and mouse. They can also learn how to switch on/off a computer.
You are right that teachers should have concern about internet safety. Most of the centres might have a password, so that the children could use internet only in front of the teachers’ watchful eyes.
Next time, when you have a teaching theme, you may get some songs connected to that theme and teach the children. Also you can get some craft ideas from You Tube, along with the internet information about that theme. These will help children to understand the theme better.
Great and simple reflection Miyuki to understand. As agreed with Judy it is amazing to see so many of our children today who are so capable of using the internet as well as the computer. It was also great that you were able to teach yourself about the ways of using the computer as you mentioned you were not so much familiar with other programs. Moreover, it is also great to see that your centre encourages children to use other sources in the internet such as you tube. Also, teaching children about net safe is also vital as children will be aware of other sites that may not be suitable for children. There are also safety settings that your centre could look up to keep these sites secure from the children. Great work Miyuki I enjoyed reading through your reflection on Computer technology.
ReplyDeleteAs we all agree that young children are well versed in the use of information technology in New Zealand and around the world. I agree with you to the fact that when we were growing up computers were not used for education purpose they were used in offices. But it is the 21st century now and children learn computers when they are in the womb. Computer use among preschoolers has to be guided and protected as they are developing their knowledge and safe use of technology should be promoted.
ReplyDeleteAs you pointed when teachers’ are reluctance to move beyond basic awareness of computers and toward integrating computer technology into teaching and learning the educators are undermining the importance of effective and appropriate uses of computers as powerful educational resources for young children and for themselves as teachers. (Tsantis, Bewick, & Thouvenelle, 2003, p.1-2).
I acknowledge the need for us as educators to learn more about technology I would encourage you to integrate Ako as concept to teach and learn with young children.
I personally do not have good skills either to use a computer. I have struggled all throughout the course .It made me realise how much behind and unaware I was from the technological world. After realising this I just decided to embrace it and started getting involved in using the computer for teaching children in my centre. In my mission I discovered how helpful computer technology was .It almost solved my difficult problems in no time .Saying this I have to agree to your point of children getting expose to in appropriate information. Tsantis, Berwick &Thouvenelle, 2003 states that as educators we need to judge and select appropriate educational software in order to support children's active learning. I have used YouTube clips with my centre children and it was very effective, interesting and it developed children’s curiosity for learning. You can try using it too.
ReplyDelete